CHAPTER IV. 
ROOSEVELTS BIRTH AND EDUCATION. 
Eight Generations of Knickerbockers Quality of the 
Roosevelt Stock-~-A Pale and Delicate Boy—Fishing on 
A Steamship—Preparing for College—Amusing Incident 
at the Preparatory School —Fond of Wrestling and 
Boxing—Career at Harvard—An Original Character- 
Partiality for Natural History—Member of Many Clubs— 
His Idea of a Good Citizen—Roosevelt’s Graduation and 
Trip to Europe. 
'^HEODORE ROOSEVELT was born in New York city on 
^ October 27, 1858, and conies from a family tbat for genera- 
tions bas been noted for wealtb, social position, bigb intelligence, 
disinterested public spirit, general usefulness and pbilantbropy. 
Tbe list of bis ancestors includes many wbo were distinguisbed in 
public life, and were honored for tbeir sterling qualities. 
He is a Knickerbocker of tbe Knickerbockers, being seventh 
in descent from Klaas Marten sen van Roosevelt, wbo, witb bis 
wife, Jannetje Samuels-Tbomas, emigrated from tbe Netherlands 
to New Amsterdam in 1649, became one of tbe most promi¬ 
nent and prosperous burghers of tbat settlement. For two and 
a half centuries tbe descendants of this couple have flourished in 
and near tbe city of New York, maintaining unimpaired tbe bigb 
social standing assumed at tbe beginning, and by thrift, indus¬ 
try and enterprise adding materially to tbe wealth acquired 
by inheritance. Witb tbe special opportunities for distinction 
afforded by tbe Revolution, a number of them came into marked 
prominence. 
Just previous to tbat struggle, and during its earlier years, 
Isaac Roosevelt was a member of tbe New York Provincial Con¬ 
gress. Later be sat in tbe State Legislature, and for several 
years was a member of tbe New York City Council. For quite a 
long period be was President of tbe Bank of New York. Jacobus 
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