The senior Coolidge administered the presidential oath of office to his son at their family homestead in the early morning hours of August 3, 1923, following the death of President Warren G. Harding.

Born in Plymouth, Vermont, Coolidge was a farmer and store owner, and worked at a variety of other occupations, including banker and insurance broker.

In addition, he was a veteran of the Vermont militia, and held the law enforcement posts of town constable and county deputy sheriff.

[2][3][4] John Coolidge graduated from Black River Academy, and served in Vermont during the American Civil War as commander of the state militia's Company K, 10th Regiment with the rank of captain.

[8][9] In addition, he was a vice president of the Ludlow Savings Bank & Trust Company, and was appointed to its board of directors.