Writing in 1926, medical doctor James J. Walsh in his book, The World’s Debt to the Irish, in his chapter on Irish Intiative, says,

“Our latest president, Calvin Coolidge, derives his Irish blood through the Barrons of Waterford, on the distaff side, according to the pedigree of the Coolidges as made out by Professor Guy Coolidge of Hobart College. Apparently there is good reason to think that every president since Lincoln with the single exception of Rutherford B. Hayes had some Irish blood in him.”

Since the Irish connection came from Coolidge’s mother, Victoria Moor, it is not surprising when we consider the source (at least in part) of his red hair, fiery temper, renowned love of pranks, and the often wry wit delivered with a straight-face but nonetheless accompanied by that characteristic twinkle in his eye.

As Coolidge forged an early base of supporters among grassroots Republicans and…