Evening star., 1932-11-09
CIRCUMSTANCES OF BIRTH
LED HIM TO HIGH OFFICE
Born to Riches, Culture, Social Eminence
and Political Opportunity, His
Path Was Made Easier.
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

"RANkL1N DELANO ROOoE-
WELT was born on January 80,
1882, at Hyde Park, Dutcness
i County, N. Y. His fatnef was
James Roosevelt: his mother.
Sara Delano a second wife. The future
President. like his fifth cousin Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt, was descended
from Claes Van Roosevelt and Jannetle
Thomas. who came from Holland W
New Amsterdam in 1886. The line IN
Franklins case ran through HlcnolsS,
Jacobus, Isaac. James. second Isaac.
and a second James. six generations OF
careful and fortunate builders OF lam
lily wealth and position.
The Delano family also has an emil
nent record in New York. The clan Is
of Flemish origin, and 1t is recoraeo
that MIR. Roosevelts ancestor, fnlIhppe
Delano landed at Duxbury, Mass ~
wears before the Roosevelts came TO
New Amsterdam. The Delanos were
seafaring folk, and their penchant lor
salt water was part OF the Governor 5
His mothers only child, Mr.. Roose-
welt was named for her uncle. Tne
baby's godfather was Elliott Roosevelt,
only brother of Theodore.
No child ever came into the Worlo
under happier circumstances. ne was
born to riches, culture, social emlnence
and political opportunity. He was. IN Ell
feet, a second flower OF the ceieora.ed d
s.field of -RoOSevelt-whlch had
been developing for nearly three hum
dred wears toward such cOnsummatlon
as the highest Office In the peoples
gift.
The family home was and still is
magnificent country estate, snow
place Of the beautiful Hudson valley.
Here the growing boy was to have an
ideal environment for his chlldnood
and youth. Like little English lord.
he was to walk and ride over the an
cestral acres OF farm and woodland
which he was destined early TO inherit.
Nothing worth having was denied TO
him.
Grover Cleveland Gave
Blessing to Boy.
Devoted parents guided his earliest
steps. Attentive servants waited upon
his pleasure. Grover Cleveland. nus
fathers close personal friend, was Dut
one OF the eminent characters who VS.
tied the estate and freely gave their
blessing to the owners attractive son.
Every one worth knowing was glad 70
be received by James Roosevelt and his
charming wife A famous list OF guests
came and went Young Franklin had
the opportunity to see and hear them,
and doubtless they were an inspiration
for his earliest dreams Of future celeb
rity There was town house. too, IN
New York, where the Roosevelt tradl-
tion of hospitality also was maintained.
Educational opportunities likewise
came gratuitously and as a matter OF
course. His earliest schooling ne re.
ceived at home from his parents and
from learned and competent tutors. II
is said that he was an active and eager
scholar, with the capacity to absorb
knowledge without great conscious Ell
fort. Eventually, he was entered at
Groton Preparatory School, where ne
completed the ordinary six-year course
in four years. He was ready for Har-
ward in 1900.
At the university his reputation had
preceded him He was Theodore Roose-
teft's kinsman, and Theodore Roose-
welt was at the moment Vice President.
Franklin himself was equipped with the
capacity to be popular and his status
as Roosevelt guaranteed his social
success. He became a reporter on the
staff Of the Harvard Crimson within q
few months after matriculation and
progressed from star reporter to man
aging editor and finally president.
Opinions differ as to his academic
standing. but it is generally agreed that
he was at least an average student. he
won honors in some subjects and ac-
quired useful fund Of practical ex-
perience In research and investigation:
He took an active part in athletics and
in social affairs. In certain campus
matters he was somewhat radical. He
exposed what were called ''the fire es-
cape scandals and fought against the
control of class elections by select clubs.
While he was at the university his ia
ther died and the loss brought him the
first serious responsibilities OF his lie.
Followed Prediction
For the Law.
Receiving his A. B. degree In 1904,
the Young man was free to 1olloW MS
nredilectton for the law. He entered the
Columbia University Law School the
same wear. and after three years study
there was admitted to the New YORK
BAR in 1907. Meantime he had mar
ried his cousin, his godfathers oauen-
ter and Theodore Roosevelts nlece,
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. Inc Ceremony
took place on March II, l9Uo, ana
pres,dent @ Roosevelt gave the bride away
Alice Roosevelt, Mrs. Nicholas Long
vorth to be. was a brides maid.
The Youthful lawyer soon after leaV-
&no Columbia Joined the flrm OF car
ter Isdyard and Milburn. He shortly
became one of the managing clerks anu
a little later began the tr1al OF cases.
Wis innate love for the sea ana some
acquaintance with practical naVeation.
acaiIired during the Summer mondays
Yachting across the Bay OF Fundy anu
on several crossings OF the AtlanIc'
stood him in good stead Wnen ne uli-
dertook the handling of admiralty cases
In 1910 he formed new partnership
the firm of Marvin, Hooker and Roose-
Volt The same year marked the De-
ginning OF his political career. ;.
THE original inspiration toward poll
tics is subject of speculation in MI:
Roosevelt's case. 1t may be supposed
that he had a natural inclination IN
that direction. He had announced NM
self a Democrat while at Harvard, Dut
he had not specified what variety OF
Democrat he considered himself. IL Is
known that he entertained hearty ad.
,,,irstion for the exuberant IT r.. and
n NAV have been that his mind ran
IN progressive channels rather than IN
that rlould of democracy represented
III the New York branch OF the party.
II is obvious that no Roosevelt with
wealth. legal training and healthy IN
terest in, public affairs long could re-
main exempt from political concerns.
franklin, like Theodore, was born 10
ftAt role in the drama OF his country.
Hyde Park lay within the boundaries
Of q Republican domain, and the Dem
ocrats Of the State, in their endeaVor
20 capture that territory. fastened on
AR Roosevelt as a likely captain to lead
them to victory. The young LAWYER
busy with the management OF ms lot
tune. his practice, his estate, his ex-
rerinents in forestry and family and
social obligations. hesitated to accept
ant when at last he had made up his
mind to enter the race, he announced
that he was In to win. He was nomi-
mated for State senator in the 26tE
district.
Accepted the Nomination
without Obligation
"As VOL, know" he said when notified