Whether you love them or hate them, it’s hard to deny that FDR and Teddy Roosevelt aren’t loved by their respective parties. Indeed, it’s not just a name they share, but also blood, with both being prominent members of the Roosevelt family of New York.
Whilst other political families like the Kennedys and the Bushes have only served one party, the Democrats and Republicans respectively, a split in the Roosevelt family have led them to produce two presidents for both of the two major parties!
Origins of The Family
Although there are theories that the modern-day Roosevelts can trace their origins back to the wealthy land-owning Van Rosevelts of Oud-Vossemeer that originated in the 15th century, a lack of record keeping makes this impossible to prove for certain.
Regardless, the modern-day Roosevelts can all trace their heritage back to the Van Rosenvelt family of the North and South Holland and Zeeland provinces in the Netherlands, with their name literally translating as “from the rose fields”.
Born in Haarlem, in the Dutch province of North Holland (Noord Holland) in 1596, the Roosevelt’s earliest recorded ancestor is Maerten Cornelius Gelderman van Rosenvelt, a wealthy farmer.
As a wealthy and prosperous farmer, Van Rosenvelt married Cornelia Lodewijcx sometime in ether the late 1610’s or early 1620’s, with Cornelia giving birth to the couple’s only surviving son, Claes Martenzen Van Rosenvelt, sometime in 1624.
Likely due to the Great Flood of 1645, the Van Rosenvelt farm was destroyed and left the family penniless.
Unable to pay back his debts, the family was forced to leave the area they’d lived in for centuries and constantly stay on the move to avoid the local sheriff collecting on the family’s debts.
Arrival in America
Barely 19 years old when his family’s farm was destroyed, and with his future prospects now looking dim, Claes Van Rosenvelt chose to leave the Netherlands for the New World, hoping to start a new life.
Most likely leaving the Netherlands in 1647 (although some records indicate 1648 and 1649 respectively), Claes arrived in the Dutch colony of Nieuw Amsterdam (New Amsterdam, presently New York City) and found work as a farmhand.
Five years after arriving in New Amsterdam, in 1652, Claes purchased 24 morgens (roughly 20.44 hectares or 50.51 acres) of farmland in what’s now Midtown Manhattan. Interestingly, the land that the Empire State Building sits on was a part of Claes’ farm!
Whilst not as prosperous as his father’s farm back in the Netherlands had been before the Great Flood, Claes did alright for himself.
Indeed, his moderate prosperity afforded him many of the perks and comforts he’d grown up with, as well as giving him the ability to marry Jannetje Samuels, a Dutch woman of British origin.
Together, the couple had several children, with the most important being their youngest son, Nicholas (born 1658). A year after Nicholas’s birth, his father passed away, with his mother passing the year after that.
Growing up to become a fur trader in Esopus (another part of modern-day New York state then part of the New Amsterdam province) Nicholas eventually anglicized his name from “Van Rosenvelt” to “Roosevelt” which his descendants would make famous!
Returning to New Amsterdam (renamed New York in his absence) years later, Nicholas then became an alderman, becoming the first Roosevelt to hold public office.
A Split in The Family
Whilst a fur trader in Esopus, Nicholas met and married Heyltje Jans Kunst on December 9 1682, with whom he’d have ten children, four boys and six girls.
Of his four sons, the youngest, Isaac (born around 1701) died shortly after his birth, whilst the eldest, Nicholas Jr. died at the age of 31 without any children of his own. This left the two middle sons, Johannes (born 1689) and Jacobus (born 1692).
Fiercely competitive with one another, both sons set out to become more prosperous than the other. To that end, the two brothers moved away from both New York City and Esopus where they’d grown up.
The eldest, Johannes, took his family to Oyster Bay, Long Island whilst Jacobus took his family to Hyde Park, two places separated by only 30 miles.
Over the coming decades and centuries, Oyster Bay and Hyde Park branches of the Roosevelt family had a competitive, yet friendly relationship which transcended their business and political rivalries…
Oyster Bay Roosevelts
Settling in the Oyster Bay area of Long Island, Johannes Roosevelt (later anglicized as “John”) became a prosperous farmer much like his ancestors had been, becoming one of New York’s most important linseed oil manufacturers.
To raise the Roosevelt family’s social standing some more, John became an assistant alderman in 1717, where he served for a decade before becoming in 1730, where he served for three years until 1733, raising the family’s standing considerably.
Upon John’s death in 1750, his business passed on to his eldest son, Jacobus Roosevelt (II), who continued the family business. Upon his own death in 1777, the family’s wealth passed on to Jacobus’s eldest son James Jacobus Roosevelt.
Founding a hardware importing business in 1797, the arrival of James’s own son, Cornelius, to the business in 1818 perpetuated a dramatic shift in the business.
Not only was it renamed as James J. Roosevelt & Son, but its entire business changed to, going from a hardware importer to a plate glass one. Later, James J. Roosevelt & Son (eventually just Roosevelt & Son) even became involved in banking too!
Inherited by James’s son, Cornelius Van Schaack Roosevelt, following his death in 1840, Cornelius ran Roosevelt & Son for the next 20 years.
Here, he shifted the bank’s focus away from commercial banking and towards private and investment banking, catering to the “Old Money” families such as those in the Boston Brahmin that he’d rubbed shoulders with for years.
Cornelius’s brother, James I. Roosevelt, was also a prominent New York lawyer, before later becoming a member of the New York State Assembly, a justice on the New York Supreme Court and a member of the House of Representatives.
Upon Cornelius’s death 1871, the Oyster Bay branch was headed by Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (Teddy Roosevelt’s father) who continued to expand the family business, as well as grow closer to the Republican Party.
Becoming friends with Republican presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and Chester A. Arthur, Roosevelt Sr. began a relationship between the Oyster Bay Roosevelts and the Republicans that culminated in a Teddy Roosevelt presidency!
Hyde Park Roosevelts
Located only 30 miles away, Jacobus took his family to Hyde Park. Here, much like his brother, he intended to enter the world of business, whilst somewhat successful, Jacobus’s success was eclipsed by that of his brother’s.
Despite Jacobus’s relative lack of success, his son Isaac soon became quite prominent.
Starting his business career in the sugar refining industry. From his store on Wall Street (and later St. George’s Square), Isaac refined raw sugar before selling it to Europe, who had a huge demand for it.
Through keen business acumen (and a lot of slave labor, which was still legal in New York at the time), Isaac soon became one of the premier sugar refiners in New York.
Eventually moving beyond sugar refining, Isaac helped found the Bank of New York with Alexander Hamilton becoming its second ever president.
During the American Revolution, Isaac was elected to the New York Provincial Congress and later the New York Senate as a member of the Federalist Party.
Upon Isaac’s death, his son Jacobus “James” Roosevelt III took over his father’s sugar and banking empires, expanding them both greatly before becoming a member of the New York State Assembly and later, an alderman.
Despite being the last Roosevelt from the Hyde Park branch to enter politics for 102 years, James’s death didn’t mark the end of prominence for the Hyde Park Roosevelts. Instead, they just focused on their business empire…
Inheriting the family fortune, James’s son Isaac David Roosevelt continued to grow it whilst maintaining his position as a member of high New York society, with his eldest son and heir, James Roosevelt I, doing the same.
James Roosevelt I (the father of future president FDR) also expanded the family’s interests into horse breeding too.
Unlike his father and grandfather who were mostly apolitical, James was close friends with Democrat presidents Grover Cleveland and James Buchanan.
In effect, this began the Hyde Park Roosevelts’ involvement with the Democrats that culminates in a FDR presidency and continues to this very day!
Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidency
Beginning his political career as a New York State Assemblyman in 1882 at the age of 24 as a Republican, Theodore Roosevelt (or “Teddy” as he was affectionately known) soon rose to 1884 Presidential Election.
That year, the Republicans put forth James G. Blaine as their candidate, standing against Grover Cleveland. Whilst much of the GOP supported Blaine, a small but adamant sect of the party viewed him as corrupt and opposed his candidacy.
And guess who the most vocal anti-Blaine (known as Mugwumps) GOP member was? Teddy Roosevelt.
Despite their opposition, Blaine eventually won the nomination but lost to Grover Cleveland, resulting in Roosevelt leaving politics all together. He only returned years later, where he held a series of position in the administrations of various Republican presidents.
Reemerging as the Governor of New York and the Spanish-American War, Teddy’s popularity skyrocketed. Having what were considered radical progressive views for the time, there were many who wanted to silence him.
Appearing to placate public demand, the Republicans gave Teddy Roosevelt the vice-president spot on the 1900 Presidential Election, with William McKinley running for president, which Teddy accepted.
In reality, the vice-president at the time held no real power and would’ve ended Roosevelt’s political career.
Eventually winning the election, McKinley became president and Roosevelt became vice-president. All was going well until McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, with Roosevelt becoming president as a result.
From here, Teddy made the Roosevelt name famous by implementing a number of progressive reforms, breaking up monopolies like Standard Oil and increasing the US’s global presence through expanding the military and increasing global trade.
Teddy served as president between 1901 and 1909. Even today, historians generally agree that Teddy was one of the best presidents ever!
FDR’s Presidency
Growing up as a surrogate son to Teddy Roosevelt (his fifth cousin), it’s fair to say that FDR idolized Teddy. Through being close to Teddy, FDR became close to Teddy’s niece, Eleanor, Teddy’s favorite niece and basically his surrogate daughter.
Indeed, the bond between Teddy and FDR was strengthened when FDR married Eleanor (his fifth cousin once removed) in March 1905, with Teddy handing Eleanor off (as her father, Teddy’s brother, had died in 1894).
Coming from the branch of the family associated with the Democrats, FDR asked for Teddy’s permission to enter politics as a Democrat (as this may have harmed the former president’s standing within the GOP at the time), which Teddy duly gave his blessing to.
FDR began his political career in 1910, securing a seat in the New York State Senate. Holding this position until 1913, FDR was soon made Assistant Secretary of the Navy (a position he held until 1919) and ran for the vice-presidency in 1920.
Despite losing to Republican candidates Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, FDR’s last name made him famous across the United States, with many newspapers falsely printing that FDR was Teddy’s son due to their closeness and shared surname.
His illness (polio) caused him to take a step away from politics in 1921, lasting until 1928. Returning to politics, FDR became Governor of New York (emulating his Uncle Teddy who’d passed away in 1919) and once again achieved national recognition.
Running for the presidency against Republican Herbert Hoover in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression, FDR won by a landslide. Here, he implemented his now famous (or should I say infamous) New Deal which lessened the impact of the Depression.
Seeking re-election in 1936, again in 1940, and again in 1944, FDR won all three times defying presidential convention limiting you to two terms.
Granted, FDR’s reasoning for this was WWII (the largest war in human history), and that a change in leadership could have disastrous for American troops.
Alas, the US won WWII in late 1945, but FDR died of a cerebral hemorrhage months before the end of the war, so never saw Hitler’s defeat.
Post-Presidency Years
During the presidencies of their respective presidents, the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park Roosevelts flourished. Due to their expertise in the military, in business or other aspects of government, many Roosevelts were given cushy jobs during their relatives’ presidencies.
Once the Roosevelt presidencies were over, those members of the family who’d gotten cushy jobs during the Roosevelt presidencies, left public office all together, returning to what they’d been doing before the Roosevelts entered the White House.
Whilst some of his Roosevelt kin had held various political offices during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, these were few and far between, and were relatively unimportant jobs anyway. FDR, on the other hand, gave his children cushy jobs…
In the post-FDR years, many of his children continued to grow the family’s pre-existing businesses as well as start new ones, particularly FDR’s son, James, who became an insurance mogul in his own right.
Other FDR children similarly became businessmen with FDR youngest son, John, heading a global PR firm, whilst FDR’s eldest son, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. got involved in the automobile business by become Fiat and Jaguar’s US-based distributor!
Years later, the Roosevelts began to stand for political office once again, such as when James Roosevelt stood as the Democratic candidate for Governor of California.
Despite pouring millions of dollars into his campaign and achieving national recognition once again, James still lost to incumbent, Earl Warren. James was also instrumental during the Kennedy Administration, helping to establish the Peace Corps in 1961.
Teddy Roosevelt’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren did something similar, similarly becoming prominent New York businessmen before entering local and state politics, but never returned to political prominence on a national level again…
Roosevelt Family Today
During the early 20th century, the Roosevelts were biggest name in politics – both in the Republican and Democratic parties! Whilst we often don’t hear about them today, both the Hyde Park and Oyster Bay Roosevelts are very much alive and kicking.
Indeed, many actually remain surprisingly politically active, not by holding political office, but rather by being huge donors to their respective parties.
Much like their ancestors, both the Hyde Park and Oyster Bay branches of the Roosevelt family are still prominent in the world of business.
Teddy Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt V (born 1942), is a prominent investment banker and current managing director of Barclays Capital Corporation.
Another one of Teddy’s great-grandsons, Tweed (born 1942) is the head of Boston-based Roosevelt China Investments. Hyde Park Roosevelts also remain in business to, being involved in both the oil and media industries today!
Beyond their involvement in business, the Oyster Bay Roosevelts have also become involved in education too.
One of Teddy’s great-grandsons, Mark Roosevelt (born 1955), serving as the president of St John’s College, New Mexico, whilst another great-great-grandson, Kermit Roosevelt III (born 1972), is a law professor and writer at the University of Pennsylvania.
Several other Hyde Park and Oyster Bay Roosevelts are also educations, serving as professors of psychology, law, journalism and economics for various universities in the US.
Legacy
Having produced two beloved presidents as well as numerous other politicians, military officers and businessmen, the Roosevelt family have left perhaps the largest legacy of any political family to date!
As with other political families, a number of schools, towns, bridges, counties and highways bear the Roosevelt name in honor of a member of the family, usually Teddy Roosevelt or FDR.
Beyond that, a total of ten ships (seven military, three commercial) have been named after members of the Roosevelt family.
Of these ten ships, seven were named in honor of Teddy Roosevelt who, beyond serving as president also served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy between 1897 and 1898. During his presidency, he also greatly expanded the Navy too.
A further two were named in FDR’s honor, as he also served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy too (1913-1920).
The final one was named in honor of Teddy’s son, Kermit, who served in both world wars and was heavily involved with nautical exploration (discovering several rivers in South America that now bear the Roosevelt name) and was the owner of a steamship company.
And all of this isn’t even mentioning the legacies of the presidencies of both Teddy Roosevelt and FDR, which are far too important to condense into a few paragraphs!
Interestingly, the land that made up Claes Rosenvelt’s farm would be held by the Roosevelts for many years before selling it. From here, it eventually fell under the ownership of John Jacob Astor, America’s first millionaire.
Coincidentally, one of Claes’s great-great-great-grandsons, James Roosevelt “Rosey” Roosevelt (FDR’s older half-brother), married into the John Jacob Astor’s Astor family with his marriage to Helen Schermerhorn Astor in 1878!
What do you think of the Roosevelt family? Are they done and relegated to the pages of history or are they about to stage a comeback? Tell me in the comments!