Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-11-08
Whole No. 2875.
THE WIVES OF PRESIDENTS.
By LAURA c. HOLLOWAY.

By LAURA c. HOLLOWAY
The customs Of the Republic which
return to private life those who have
served 1t, and the geniGs Of democrat
ic Institutions which condemn. as
assumed emblems of nobility, the pre-
fixing of titles to the names Of Ameri-
can women, have acted as an insur-
mOuntable barrier to the acquaintance
of the general public with the ladies
who have occupied the first social
position in the land.
Mrs. Washington, to whom fell the
honor first, occupied the envied place
for eight years. and her historyis per-
maps better known than any of her
defendants. Biographers and histO-
tians, stimulated with desire to Sc
cure her memory from the dust of
years, have been nindefatigable in their
la0ors, and she is perhaps more high
" extolled and more truly venerated
tnan any OF the many women who
have succeeded her.
10 Mrs Adams properly belongs
the highest place of honor In the
American heart because her position
was more difficult (; her duties more
ardouss and because she was stronger
mentally, and more thoroughly dis
eiplined than any who have succeeded
her She became the occupant of a
place held to be almost sacred because
Ofits newhess and the exalted eharac-
ter OF both Washington and his wife.
10 succeed the former was q difficult
task for her husband to perform; to
occupy Mrs WasbingtOn's place was
ah 1mpossibility. But Mrs. Adams
was gifted with great strength and
Courage; with rare powers Of mind
and hear, and was the best representa-
tive OF the best type of American wO-
men of that day whose life bistorvhas
been handed down to us.
Mrs. Jefferson had been dead ninc-
teen years when her husband became
President of the United States and
but for the occasional visits of his two
married daughters, and the frequent
presence of Mrs. Madison, the White
House during the eight years Of Fhcm-
as JetlersOn's stay would have been
entirely without a social history.
James MadiSOn's wife was the most
popular woman Of her day, and had
it not been for the Unfortunate war Of
1872, and the disturbed condition of
the county both before and after this
ton of the White House would have
been the most brilliant Of any record
ed in the annals of the social history
of the country. .-c . 1- -
Mrs. Monroe was q timid, delicate
woman untitled by nature aud habit
for the place she held, and at the exDi-
ration of her husbands term Of offiee
gladly retired with him 20 their Vfrt
n 81. t1xr1
Mrs. John Quincy Adams Was a
Maryland. woman who had been edu-
Gated in England, and who filled her
semi-ofheial position with dignity and
honor. i.lr Sl-1 .it
Mrs. jackson died of broken heart,
before her husband succeeded to the
Presidency. -s-r. --.--, ~, ---.r
Mrs. Van Buren had been dead sew
enteen years when her husband was
elected Chief Magistrate, and her
daughter-in-law, a lady of great refine
ment, was mistress of the White
House during the term. IL. ~. ~,
Mrs. Harrison was preparing u
leave ber Western home when new,
of her husband'a death reached her.
Mr.. Tyler, Who.flled theunexpired
term; lost his wife during his stay in
the White House and subsequently,
married Miss Gardner, of New York,
eight months before the close OF his
administration. -121s l-a-i irt
Mrs. James K. Polk, Of Tennessee.
was the second Southern lady who, as
the wife Of the President, lived in
the Executive mansion during The
full term. ---' =
Mrs. Taylor heartily disiiked the
fOrmality of Washington society, and
retired to her louisiana home iTame-
dlately after her husbands death.
Mr.. Fillmore, whOserved out Gener-
al 1aylOF's time, had noble wife and
she and her daughter are remember
ed as two of the most cultivated. re-
fined and attractive ladies' ever in the
White House.
Mrs. Pierce was always an invalid,
aud after the death Of her child. A
young and promising boy, her health
gave way entirely, and her position a.
hostess was a most undesirable one to
her.
Miss Harriet Lane made her uneleis
famous for its social
attraction. She was one of the most
beautiful of women, as well as one of
the truest and kindest of nieees, and
Mr.. Buchanan was peculiarly fortu-
nate in his social relations, though he
lived and died a bachelor. 90
Mrs. Lincoln's career was checker
ed from the first, and the awful trage-
iy that closed her life at the White
House, secured for her the sympathy
Of the people.
Mrs. Patterson was the mistress OF
the White House during President
JohnsOn's administration, her mother
being n confirmed invalid. The fami-
y endeared themselves to the. people
BY their simplicity and refined, unas-
suming manners.
Mrs. Grant, the present OccnpantOf
.he White House leads quiet, retired
life, seems inclined to avoid all pub
icity and spends most of her time in
he society of her children and init
mate relations.