Alphonso Taft | Biography

Alphonso Taft served as U.S. attorney general from 1876 to 1877 during the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant. Taft, who previously acted as Grant's Secretary of War, was the father of William Howard Taft, who served as both President and Chief Justice of the United States.

Taft was born in Townshend, Vermont on Nov. 5, 1810. He graduated from Yale University in 1833 and then tutored at a high school in Connecticut and Yale. While teaching, Taft studied law and was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1838. This was not unusual at the time, for most attorneys apprenticed with law firms rather than attend law school. In 1840 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and started a law practice. However, Taft soon became involved in civic affairs, serving as a member of the Cincinnati city council for three years. He later served as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Cincinnati and Yale.

Taft married Fanny Phelps and hey had two sons, Charles Phelps and Peter Rawson. After her death, Taft married Louisa Torrey. Their children were William Howard, Horace, Henry, and Fanny.

In 1856, Taft ran for Congress but lost. Ten years later he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the bench of Cincinnati's superior court. He was later elected and reelected to the judgeship before resigning in 1872. His political star rose in the Republican Party during these years, eventually attracting the attention of the party's national leadership.

President Grant appointed Taft Secretary of War in March 1876. However, Taft served only two months in this cabinet position before Grant named him Attorney General. He served until Grant left office in March 1877.

Taft came into office at the time when Grant's reputation had reach a low point, owing to a string of political corruption scandals committed by Grant's appointees. Grant, a military man rather than a politician, had been persuaded to appoint untrustworthy individuals to federal offices who quickly found ways to line their pockets. As more incidents of political corruption unfolded, Grant saw his political leadership dissipate. Taft was not implicated in these scandals and his appointment as attorney general was meant to restore credibility to the office.

After leaving office, Taft returned to Cincinnati and his law practice. In the 1880s, however, he returned to public service. Taft was U.S. Minister to Austria in 1882 and Minister to Russia from 1884 to 1885. Taft died on May 21, 1891 in San Diego, California.

Taft's son, William Howard, followed in his father's path. Born in 1857, William Howard Taft graduated from Yale University in 1878 and then earned a law degree from the Cincinnati College Law School in 1880. He served in various legal positions and became dean of the University of Cincinnati's law school in 1896. In 1903 he served as civilian governor of the Philippines and became Secretary of War 1903. He was elected president in 1908 and served one term. In 1921 he was appointed Chief Justice of the United States.