John Tyler was US President 1841-45. His grandson just died.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the recent death of Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., the grandson of John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States. Participants reflect on historical connections, family lineage, and the implications of longevity in the Tyler family, as well as the political context surrounding John Tyler's presidency.

Discussion Character

  • Historical
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the historical significance of John Tyler's presidency, particularly his ascension to the presidency after William Henry Harrison's death, marking him as the first president to die in office.
  • There is mention of the campaign slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too," which references Harrison's military victory and its impact on their political careers.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about their own family's history of late marriages and longevity, drawing a parallel to the Tyler family's generational span of 230 years.
  • Another participant quotes an article highlighting the humor of Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. regarding his family's historical fame and connections to Thomas Jefferson.
  • Discussion includes reflections on the political challenges faced by John Tyler during his presidency, including conflicts with the Whig party.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the historical context of John Tyler's presidency and the significance of familial connections, but there are no explicit disagreements noted in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed exploration into the political ramifications of Tyler's presidency and the broader implications of family lineage on historical narratives.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in American political history, genealogy, and the connections between historical figures may find this discussion relevant.

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Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. dies 175 years after his grandfather, John Tyler, left the White House (CNN.com)

John Tyler was William Henry Harrison's vice president. He became president when Harrison died a month after their inauguration in 1841, the first US president to die in office. Tyler was called "His Accidency" by his detractors.

There is still a younger surviving grandson, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, age 91.

This caught my eye partly because William Henry Harrison was the first of eight presidents from Ohio, my home state.

Harrison and Tyler's campaign slogan and song was "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too", referring to Harrison's victory against Native American forces in 1811 at the Battle of Tippecanoe near Lafayette, Indiana. Today, outside Lafayette on highway US-52, on one side of the road is the Tippecanoe Mall; on the other side is the Tyler Too Plaza.

tippecanoe&tylertoo2.jpg
 
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Likes   Reactions: Ivan Seeking, Drakkith, jedishrfu and 5 others
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I like the article quotes:

That someone in the 21st century could have a grandfather who knew Thomas Jefferson can be attributed to late-in-life paternity, second wives and longevity in his family: Three generations of Tyler men spanned an incredible 230 years.

and this one:

Susan Tyler said her father took the family's fame in stride.

"Dad used to be asked if he knew John Tyler. He would always reply, 'I'm not that old' and he would laugh. He had a great sense of humor."
 
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jedishrfu said:
. . . can be attributed to late-in-life paternity, second wives and longevity in his family: Three generations of Tyler men spanned an incredible 230 years.
And I thought my ancestors married late. My paternal grandfather was born in 1899 and died in 2003. His father, my great-grandfather was born in 1867. My g-g-grandfather was born in 1845.
 
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How the Battle of Tippecanoe Helped Win the White House (history.com)
In the end, the thousands of American who had voted for Tippecanoe ended up getting John Tyler, too—nearly four years of him. The former Virginia senator became the first vice president in history to succeed a deceased commander-in-chief, but his tenure was marred by squabbles with the Whigs, who eventually expelled him from the party. Harrison, meanwhile, has largely faded from popular memory. Along with his famous campaign slogan, his 32-day administration is perhaps best known for being the shortest in American history.