Presidential Deaths
Mr. Hollifield kept up with national affairs as well as local. His knowledge and curiosity were remarkable. In his little books he would compile population lists of towns and cities, names of cabinet members of current presidents, and any coincidence or ironic fact that caught his fancy. In the early 1930s he noted the passing of two former U. S. presidents, and pointed out facts about the men that may not have been in the newspapers.
Hollifield material courtesy Christine Boger Haynes
Mar. 8, 1930
The Honorable William Howard Taft died at 5:15 o’clock P.M. at his home in the city of Washington, D.C. Mr. Taft is the only man in the history of the United States to hold the two highest positions that the people can confer upon anyone. He was president of the United States from Mar. 4, 1909 to Mar. 3, 1913 and was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in the year 1921 and served in this position until his death.
Mr. Taft probably served in public office more than any other man in history.
He served his country for about 40 years as a public servant in many different places. He being the only president I ever saw, he was the largest president we ever had, weighing about 350 pounds.
I believe Mr. Taft did resign about two months before his death and ex-Governor Hughes of New York was appointed as his successor.
Justice Sanford, who served with Mr. Taft on the supreme bench for seven years, died about five hours before Mr. Taft died. Mr. Taft was buried (in) Arlington Cemetery on March 11, 1930.
A great man he was. The funeral service was broadcast over the radio and I heard it all through. It was very short, only about 30 minutes. Funeral was conducted by Rev. Ulysses Grant Pierce at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D. C.
Justice Holmes, who served on the bench with Taft, was 89 years of age on the day Mr. Taft died.
The members of the supreme court attended the funeral in a body. It rained most all day.
Jan. 5, 1933
Ex-President Calvin Coolidge died at his home in Vermont (sic). He went to his office as usual but became disturbed and went home and laid down on the bed. And when his wife came in in about 20 minutes she found his body on the bed. The doctor said he had been dead about 15 minutes when Mrs. Coolidge found him.
He died in Northhampton, Mass., was buried on Jan. 7, 1933 in Plymouth, Vermont, the place of his birth. He was born July 4, 1872, was 60 years of age at the time of his death. He was the 30th president of the U. S. Became president at the death of President Harding and was then re-elected in 1924. He was a Republican.
