Robert H. Lovett: My Great-Great-Grandfather

I decided to choose my great-great-grandfather Robert H. Lovett because I found his life very interesting. He was an attorney, member of the US cabinet, lawyer, and a judge.  He was Born on July 2nd, 1860 in Peoria, Illinois and died August 23rd, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois.  My great-great-grandfather was one of nine kids all from his father Robert B. Lovett and his mother Adeline B. White. 








I first began my research through my grandfather's blog which gave great information about Robert H. Lovett. He was a 6'3, blue eye,  and a flaxen haired man (see picture above).  He married Laura Gilson Lovett (right) who was 5'1 and had blue eyes.  Together, they had two kids named Eliot and Helen Lovett. I also learned that Robert H Lovett was a 32nd Degree Mason (someone who is a full Member of the Scottish Rite), whose father was a blacksmith, he was a Circuit Court Judge in Peoria, a local lawyer in Illinois, and then later the Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. in charge of settling claims arising from WWI.   





After looking on my Grandfather's blog, I looked on ancestory.com and found Robert H. Lovett's passport from 1923 with his intention to board the S.S. Leviathan on July 4th, 1923.   At this time the S.S. Leviathan was a steamship, whereas before it was used as a carrier ship for troops during WWI. 

Next, I found this note on ancestry.com which states, "Harry Lovett, youngest brother of James Ashton Lovett. He became a Judge in Peoria. He was appointed Assistant Attorney General by US President Harding. He survived the famous "Teapot Dome" scandal of Harding's administration, untouched and served through two terms under President Coolidge."  The Teapot Dome scandal began in the 1920's and was known for the secret leasing of federal oil reserves by the secretary of the interior (Albert Bacon Fall). Fall secretly granted to Harry F. Sinclair of the Mammoth Oil Company exclusive rights to the Teapot Dome (Wyoming) reserves on April 7th, 1922.  He also granted similar rights to  other people as well.  

After learning much on ancestory.com I decided to google his name.  After googling his name I found his name in the Peoria City and County, Records of Statement book.  In this book it explains where he was born, when he graduated high school, his occupation, and basic information on my great-great grandfather.  





Last, I decided to contact my dad and grandfather for more information.  I learned that Robert H. Lovett grew up in Illinois, but moved his family to DC when he was appointed Assistant US Attorney General and a member of the presidential cabinet.  Then, after the Teapot Dome Scandal, Robert H. Lovett moved back to Illinois because some of the blame was on some of the members in the president's cabinet which disgraced his name.  

Shortly after moving back home, Robert died.  Robert H. Lovett's death was because of a "broken heart" some people from the Lovett family may say.  They say this because Robert H. Lovett had nothing to do with this scandal, he was a respectful man, but this scandal disgraced his name. Lastly, his die in a socket marker (right) may be found at the Brimfield Township Cemetery in Peoria County, Illinois with a memorial ID of 50143526.