William H. Rehnquist
When Mr. William B. and Mrs. Margery (Peck.) Rehnquist were blessed with the October 1, 1924 arrival of their new baby boy, they must never have imagined the
great accomplishments that he would some day achieve (Supreme Court History). Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in the northern Milwaukee suburb of Shorewood, the son of a paper salesman, William Hubbs Rehnquist would move upwards on the judicial ladder of success to someday become the most ranking member of the United States Supreme Court.
It has been suggested that William H. Rehnquist attained his conservative outlook in such areas as economics, sociology and politics, from within his childhood home. In an article published by the Washington Post, it is stated, "the political heroes in the Rehnquist household, " were "Republican standard bearers such as Alf Landon, Wendell Wilkie and Herbert Hoover (SCH)." Apparently, this upbringing must have had a clear impact on William's childhood. When asked by his elementary school teacher, what he would like to do when he grew up, young William H. Rehnquist reportedly replied, "I'm going to change the government (SCH)."
Shortly after graduating from a local Milwaukee High School, William enrolled into Kenyon College in Ohio and began his higher education. William's initial college years were short lived, however, due to the outbreak of World War II. Hearing his nation's call to arms, Rehnquist enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943, and was quickly mobilized to the North African Dessert, where he served as a weather observer (Wiki). It was, perhaps, at this time that William displayed a brief preview of his leadership potential. Not long after his service began, Rehnquist was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Following his 1946 discharge from the military, Rehnquist once again enrolled in college to satisfy his desire for knowledge, this time with the financial aide of his newly attained G.I. Bill. Rather than return to his former...
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