Roosevelt, James Roosevelt

Birth Name Roosevelt, James Roosevelt
Gender male
Age at Death 78 years, 9 months, 18 days

Narrative

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia:

James Roosevelt "Tadd" Roosevelt, Jr., (August 20, 1879 – June 7, 1958) was an American heir and automobile worker.

Early life

James Roosevelt Roosevelt, Jr. was born on August 20, 1879. He was the son of diplomat James Roosevelt "Rosey" Roosevelt (1854–1927) of the Roosevelt family and Helen Schermerhorn Astor (1855–1893) of the Astor family. He had a sister, Helen Rebecca Roosevelt (1881–1962). His uncles were President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) and Colonel John Jacob "Jack" Astor IV (1864–1912). He was only three years older than Franklin. Tadd's paternal grandparents were businessman James Roosevelt I (1828–1900) and Rebecca Brien Howland (1831–1876) while his maternal grandparents were businessman William Backhouse Astor, Jr. (1829–1892) and socialite Caroline Webster "Lina" Schermerhorn (1830–1908).

He and Franklin both attended Groton School and Harvard University, with Tadd being ahead of Franklin. Their kinship led to Franklin often being mockingly referred to as "Uncle Frank" while the two attended Groton together.
Career

Tadd inherited $1,500,000 (equivalent to approximately $39,505,556 in 2016 dollars) from his mother in 1893.

Personal life

Roosevelt married Hungarian-born prostitute Sadie Messinger (c. 1880–1940) on June 14, 1900. Tadd's father Rosey, upon learning of the wedding, came down from Hyde Park and brought Tadd home.[1] Their union sparked controversy, and Rosey ended up disowning Tadd.

In February 1917, Tadd was arrested in Florida and required to stay in Florida pending a divorce suit. He had lived in Daytona under the name "M. S. King" with a different woman than Sadie. The Roosevelt family had reportedly opposed the marriage to Sadie and had prevailed in achieving a separation, in which Sadie was to receive a $10,000 (equivalent to approximately $184,701 in 2016 dollars) annual income.[2] A court soon granted $625 (equivalent to approximately $11,544 in 2016 dollars) per month alimony to Sadie, pending settlement of the divorce. At the time, Tadd was reported to be the Floridian paying the highest income taxes, having a $12,000,000 wealth (equivalent to approximately $221,641,558 in 2016 dollars).[3]

By October 1921, Tadd and Sadie were reportedly no longer living together.[4] However, they remained married until her death. They never had children.

Death

Roosevelt died on June 7, 1958. His fortune was donated to the Salvation Army.

References

[1] "Boy Millionaire Weds; James R. Roosevelt, Jr.'s, Step Without His Father's Consent". New York Times. October 19, 1900.
[2 ]"J.R. Roosevelt Arrested; Put Under $50,000 Bond to Stay in Florida Pending Divorce Suit". New York Times. February 24, 1917.
[3 ]"J.R. Roosevelt Must Pay; Court Grants $625 a Month to Wife Pending Settlement of Suit". New York Times. March 3, 1917.
[4] "Mrs. J.R. Roosevelt Jr. Accused of Slander; Mrs. Schultz of Lynbrook, L.I., Itemizes Four Occasions and Sues for $40,000". New York Times. October 1, 1921.

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth August 20, 1879      
Death June 7, 1958      

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Roosevelt, James RooseveltApril 27, 1854May 7, 1927
Mother Astor, Helen Schermerhorn18551893
         Roosevelt, James Roosevelt August 20, 1879 June 7, 1958
    Sister     Roosevelt, Helen Rebecca September 26, 1881 July 8, 1962

Families

Family of Roosevelt, James Roosevelt and Messinger, Sadie

Married Wife Messinger, Sadie ( * + ... )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage June 14, 1900