The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-05

masculine mind with its logic and its
slower processes.
Nine ladies have occupied the proud Do
sition OF counselor-in-chief to the execu-
tive OF this City. The wives of the former
Mayors had much in common.
Mrs. H. P. Coon was the pioneer in this
field Of honor, her husband succeeding H.
F. Teschemacher, who was bachelor, the
first Mayor, in 1864 and holding that Office
four years. She was rarely seen in public
as she was q confirmed invalid. She died
soon after the expiration of Mayor Coon $
second term. Mrs. Coon was a fine type
Of the highly educated, sensitive. refined
gentlewoman. She was slender and dark
with a face as lovely as her character,
which was distinguished for gentIeness.
Owing TO the delicate health of the mis-
tress the Mayors home at the northeast
corner of Cough and California streets,
standing alone at that time in a neighbor-
mood now noted for the number and ele-
gance of its residences, was the scene of
few festivities.
Mrs. McNutt, wife OF Dr. W. T. McNutt.
is the only daughter Of Mayor and Mrs.
Coon. She can recall the visit of Queen
Emma OF the Hawaiian Islands on her
tour around the world as one of the state
occasions thirty years ago. Frederick Fl.
Coon of this City and Henry Irving Coon
of Berkeley are the sons of the then first
lady of the City"
Next came Mrs. Frank McCoppin. wife
of San Franciscos third Mayor and pres-
ent Postmaster. The McCoppin residence
was then at the southeast corner of Va
lencia and Seventeenth streets. Mrs
McCoppin was young wife then.
with no special concern In affairs of
state. After the lapse Of nearly thirty
years she has grown white-haired, but re-
tains the kindly face and manner that
made her tavorite IN the days gone by.
Mrs. Henrietta Selby, widow of T homas
H. Selby. Mayor of San francisco from
1870 to 1872, was distinguished FOR her hos
pitality and the magniicence of the vari-
Gus forms of entertainment at the mansion
on Rincon Hill. None of the wives of the
executives entertained oftener or more
lavishly. Mrs. Selby is Southerner and
retains traces of youthful beauty. She
divides her time when IN California be-
tween her City residence. 2119 Buchanan
street, and her country seat at Menlo
Park. She is spending the present winter
by her daughter, Miss Annie Selby. Mrs.
FaIon Atherton of Menlo Park, Percy w.
Selby OF Menlo Park and Mrs. Kempff.
wife of Captain Kempff of the navy, are
her children. Mrs. Jackson Ralston of
Oakland and Prentice Selby of this City
are her step-children.
Mrs. Lucy Otis, widow of Mayor James
Otis, lives at the Occidental Hotel. She
dispensed hospitality with lavish hand
during her husbands term of office from
1874 to 1876. The re sidence, at 821 Suffer
street. was the scene of a unique social
function at which Mrs. Otis presided with
grace. 1t was breakfast to the japanese
legation. Mrs. McAllister and James
Gus Jr. of this City and Charles Otis of
Stockton are her children, and Mrs. S. E.
blgelow IS her niece. Mrs. Otis is a lady of
distinguished bearing and refined face,
framed with snowy hair.
Inc widow of a. ]. Bryant resides at
ZI27 Clay street with her 1s-year-old
uaugnterr and between them exists con.