An Archive of Letters from Dwight D. Eisenhower to His Cousin

This is an archive of letters from the President and Mrs. Eisenhower to his cousin, Lowell Eisenhower. There are 15 Typed Letters Signed, 12 of Ike and 3 of Mamie. Of these, 6 are on White House letterhead with full “Dwight D. Eisenhower” signatures, 3 are on White House letterhead and signed “D.E.” or “Uncle Ike,” 3 are on personal letterhead and signed “Uncle Ike” or “Uncle Dwight,” 3 are from Mamie ( 2 of which are on White House letterhead), plus there is a printed response from Mamie to a condolence card upon Ike’s death.

Here are sample portions of the topics covered in the letters. Two of them relate to the Eisenhower family genealogy, one concerning papers on deposit at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. A letter of March 10, 1954 thanks Lowell for “the outlined genealogical chart. Of Samuel’s children, I think I knew only William. He, in turn, had a number of children, of whom I remember John and Walter, as they were near my age. But your father, who was my father’s first cousin, I am quite sure I never saw. With respect to the naming of the boys of my own family, you have Roy in the wrong position. So far as age is concerned, he was the next younger to me.” On February 19, 1965, Ike writes, “I have been assured that the Presidential Library in Abilene has the material published by Mrs. Fannie Richardson – which, incidentially, is the English section of a German edition of the Eisenhower genealogy – and also the basic research material she compiled.  Should anyone wish to refer to the papers, I am certain that Mr. Robert Bolton, The Eisenhower Library, Abilene, Kansas will be most cooperative…”

On October 23, 1958, the President writes that he has little control over his schedule on trips away from Washington. “I am sorry that I did not have the opportunity either to talk to you or see you briefly, but on such trips the politicians take over almost completely, and there is never enough time for family or friends. I hope all goes well.” On February 12, 1961, just weeks after laying down the burdens of office, Ike is pleased to get a rest, saying “Mamie and I appreciated your warm note of welcome to California. The change of pace from the snowy east to bright sunshine and temperatures in the 70s may very well prolong our stay. In any event, we are looking forward to a restful and relaxing vacation…I shall be looking forward to seeing you sometime during our stay here.” During the 1964 presidential campaign, on October 26, Eisenhower tells his cousin “I share your concern about the debt and have used every conceivable argument to get the public interested in the matter…”

In addition to these, one of Mamie’s letters dated November 18, 1955, just after Ike’s heart attack, says “We are rejoicing in being home again – it is the best medicine possible for both of us!” An unusually large collection of Eisenhower family letters in one archive.