Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/72

 34 Although already a man of large achievement, not wanting in personal dignity, Secretary Taft is a truly modest man, and is more easily approached by "the common people" than are most men in high official station. He dislikes needless ceremony, and is averse to military display in his honor.

In childhood and youth he had the best of health. He was unusually large and strong, weighing one hundred and eighty-five pounds when he was but sixteen years old. Most of his boyhood was passed in the city of his birth, but for several years he spent the summer, once in two years, at the home of his maternal grandfather in Millbury, Massachusetts. His tastes and interests were those of the average American boy. He had no special difficulties to encounter in acquiring an education. His father regarded an education and the spirit of unselfish pubHc service as far more desirable than the acquisition of wealth, and instead of attempting to amass a fortune for his children he sent his five sons to Yale college, at which institution he himself had been graduated. His first strong inclination to strive for distinction Secretary Taft traces to a desire to please his parents. The influence which has been most potent in his efforts to win success he names as that of the home. Home standards have been the controlling power in his life. He says: "Home first. My father created a quasi-pubhc opinion of the family that was controlling with all its members." What was the "pubhc opinion" created in the family by such a father, the life of the son and of the father himself well exemplify. " Every son of America owes a duty to his country." Close after home influence in its effect upon his life Mr. Taft puts the stimulus of his college course. "Then the spirit of Yale, which was strong because my father and my four brothers and I were all graduates." In his reading he has found historical works, particularly those relating to America and England, of the greatest practical value.

Mr. Taft was married June 19, 1886, to Helen Herron, They have had three children, all of whom are now living. He received the degree of LL.D. from Yale college in 1893, and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1902. He is a member of the Queen City club, of Cincinnati, of the Cosmos and the University clubs of Washington, and of the University club of Manila. He has not given special attention to athletics or to systematic physical culture. His principal relaxations are found in golf, walking, and horseback