Smyrna times., 1872-06-19
The Wives of Presidents.
BY LAURA C. HOLLOWAY.


Mrs. Washington to whom fell the honor
first, occupied the envied place for eight years
and Eer history is perhaps better known than
any of her defendants. BOgraphers and his
tOrianS stimulated with a desire to secure her
memory from the dust of years, have been
indeiatigable in their labors and she is |
perhaps more highly extOled and more truly |
venerated than any of the many woman who
have succeeded her
To Mrs. Adams properly belonged the
highest place of honor in the American hearts,
because her position was more difficult; her
duties mOle arddOuS, and because she was
stronger mentally, and more thoroughly diSci-
plined than any who have succeeded her She
became the occupant OF a place held to be
almost sacred because Of its ncwneSs and the
exalted character cf both Washington aud
his wife. To succeed the former was a difficult
task for her husband to perform to occupy
Mrs Washington place was an impossibility
But Mrs. Adams was gifted with great strength
aud courage, with rare power OF mind and
heart, and was the best representative OF the
best type Of American women Of that whose
life history has been handed down to u.s.
Mrs Jefferson had been dead nineteen years
when her husband became President Of the
United States, 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 Thomas jefferson $
S stay would have been entirely without social
g history.
: James Madison's wife was the most popular
, woman of her day, and had it not been for the
e unfortunate war of 1912, and the disturbed con-
/ dtion of the country both before and after this
q unfortunate event, her administration of lady
g of the White House would have been the most
n brilliant of any recorded in the annals Of the
Il social history of the country
j. Mrs. Monroe was a timil, delicate woman,
| untitled by nature and habit for the place she
If held, and at the expiration of her husband
W term Of office gladly retired with him to thei
W Virginia home, where, in 1880, she died
m Mrs. John Quincy Adams was Maryland
ye woman who had been educated in England, anC
IS filled her position with dignity and honor.
ct Mrs. jackson died OF broken heart befor
IN her husband succeeded to the Presidency.
ID Mrs. Van Buren had been dead seventeen
m years when her husband was elected Chic
We Magistrate and her daughter-in-aw, lady G
| a great refinement, was mistress Of the Whit
at House during the term.
st Mrs. Harrison was preparing to leave he
IS Western home when the news of her husband
1T death reached her.
VS. Mr.. Tyler, who filed the unexprtd teri
ny lost his wife during his stay in the Whit
le House, and subsequently married Miss Gart
, | ner, of New York, eight months before tt
Wy close of his administration.
ng Mrs James K. Polk, of Tennessee, was II
IS second Southern lady who as the wife of Il
!, | President, lived in the Executive mansiC
,us during the iull term.
ci- Mrs. Taylor heartily disliked the formali
| of Washington society, and retired to b
ed. louisiana home Immediately after her husband
ac death.
,ne Mr. Fillmore, who served out General Taylor
to term, had a noble wife, and she and her daug
ter are remembered as two Of the most GUILTY.
will ted, refined and attractive ladies ever in t
'er. White House.
lair Mrs. Pierce was always an invalid, a
and after the death of her only child, you
ore and promising boy, her health gave way enti
ly, and her position as hostess was a most l
desirable one to her.
Miss Harriet Lane made her uncle's adm
stration famous for its social attraction.
an was one of the most beautiful of women,
De- well as one OF the truest ana klndeSt OF nlec
the and MT. Buchanan was peculiarly tortun
of in his social relations, though he lived and d
mo. bachelor.
hin Mrs. LincOlns career was cbeckered from
and the first, and the awful tragedy that closed
and life at the White House secured the sympaI
of the people,
and Mrs. Patterson was mistress Of the WI
the House during President johnson S administ
, to tion. her mother being confirmed invalid.
ting family greatly endeared themselves to the 7
hicI pie by their simplicity and refined manners
kets Mrs. Grant the present occupant of
esa- White House, leads quiet, retired life, SEE
inclined to avoid all publicity and spends Il
Bal of her time in the society of her children
2l0 intimate relations.
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