Ed Socha’s column about Kennedy’s and Rutherford B. Hayes’ presidential elections reminded me of family history that might amuse your readers.

Although my mother and all four of my grandparents were born and raised overseas in England, my father was born in New York and served as an army officer in World War II. Before she died, my paternal grandmother dropped a few hints which I have researched.

She was 25 when she married my grandfather on his 46th birthday “quietly in New York” (meaning a civil ceremony) during World War I. “It was a shipboard romance” she told me. “We bonded over having been rejected for service by our country.” He was too old, having passed his 45th birthday. She was a registered nurse, but had no military training. “A year later, Britain took anybody who could walk,” she said.

President Hayes had a secretary by the name of Dickinson who had married a young woman of 18 by the name of Boyerton. Ten years passed without a pregnancy. It was suspected that “the old man was shooting blanks.” I do not know about veterinary practice; but in those days a likely young man would be pressed into servicing the young woman. Mrs. Dickinson had three children who, of course, her old husband claimed as his own.

President Kennedy was sent to school at Choate. My grandfather taught French and Latin there in 1905 to 1907. He also was director of the choir and illustrated the literary magazine. John Kennedy escorted actress Angie Dickinson at his inaugural ball after exhausted Jackie went home to care for her own health and her newborn son, John Jr. (aka “John-John”).

Human reproduction is fascinating, no? Often it is not easy.

Anita Van Dine

Jim Thorpe