Land deeds signed by Theodore Roosevelt

I am fairly familiar with the way this worked back in the day. As you can plainly see the signatures are both entirely different. Which leads one to believe maybe his secretary signed? I compared both signatures to online examples and to be honest neither one look like the real deal. Your thoughts or opinions.

 

I think that's a reasonable assumption on who actually signed. Earlier (like 1830's) deeds from the General Land Office, often had the president's name preprinted on them and the only signature was the local officer.

 

Even now, the blank after 'I' is for the name, not the signature. Forms now sometimes ask you to print. That space could be filled in by anyone with legible handwriting.

 

As it is written on the deed "By the President" and underneath that "By F. M. M? Kean" who would have been the actual signer and local representative of the President concerning land transfers.

 

I have one from Oklahoma 9 Sep 1904 with what looks to be the same signature. Doesn't really match the President's signature though. Seems similar to secretary though...

Land deed by Tony Warren posted Dec 24, 2023 at 1:35 PM

 

These documents were never signed by the president but by a secretary or other assistant. A dime a dozen.