{"id":15111,"date":"2016-06-16T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T15:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=15111"},"modified":"2017-02-03T14:20:22","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T19:20:22","slug":"obscure-but-fun-historical-quotes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/obscure-but-fun-historical-quotes.html","title":{"rendered":"Obscure \u2013 but Fun \u2013 Historical Quotes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this blog article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to find some quotes from and about historical figures that you never read in a text book. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

Newspapers are a great place to find fun quotes about historical characters and celebrities. You can find many delightful quotes in a collection of old newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s online Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> \u2013 and who knows, you might even find a quote or two about an ancestor!<\/p>\n

I invite you to add to this collection of fun quotes, so let me know in the comments. Be sure to mention the newspapers in the GenealogyBank archives where others can find those same quotes.<\/p>\n

John Quincy Adams<\/strong><\/p>\n

By 1845, few Revolutionary War soldiers were still living. This quote by President John Quincy Adams reflects on the sad sentiment of their passing:<\/p>\n

\u201cLike the leaves of the books of Sybil, they increase in value, as they diminish in number.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
National Aegis (Worcester, Massachusetts), 22 January 1845, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abraham Lincoln<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of our more beloved presidents was none other than Abraham Lincoln. Did you know that he jokingly called his wife, Mary (Todd) Lincoln, the \u201cpresidentess\u201d?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe presidentess walked in the grounds…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Daily Eastern Argus (Portland, Maine), 8 July 1864, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Theodore Roosevelt<\/strong><\/p>\n

In September of 1903, President Roosevelt\u2019s carriage was struck by a trolley in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Although his left leg was injured, he continued his western tour until the injury became too painful and he needed surgery. Did you know that he refused anesthesia and joked before and after the procedure?<\/p>\n

For example, when he saw the surgeons all scrubbed up with their antiseptic gloves on, he said:<\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, you are formal; I see you have your gloves on.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When shown his wheeled ambulance, he joked:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, that\u2019s a wheelbarrow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Quotes<\/a>
Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri), 24 September 1902, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Franklin D. Roosevelt<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another president with a sense of humor was Franklin D. Roosevelt. After losing a tooth in 1937, he told visitors to the White House:<\/p>\n

\u201c[Losing a tooth] is easier than losing your scalp.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Riverside Daily Press (Riverside, California), 17 December 1937, page 18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quotes about Others<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is said about others is often as interesting as what they said themselves.<\/p>\n

In this 1804 newspaper article about Thomas Jefferson, you can read the following quotes about him and other founding fathers.<\/p>\n