Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-30

Mrs. Frances Folsom Cleveland. widow
Of Grover Cleveland, authorized last
night at her home, in Princeton, N. j.,
the announcement of her engagement to
Thomas Jes Preston, professor of arch
eology and history of arts at Wells Col
lege, Aurora. N. Y.
The date Of the marriage is not yet de-
termined, but will be announced later,
1t was said.
Mrs. Cleveland has lived very quietly at
Princeton with her three children since
the death of the former President, and
until recently has avoided any social ac-
tivity, except such as was incident. to the
quiet life Of college community. That
she was prepared to take wider interest
in social affairs became evident early this
fall, but she explained 1T by announcing
she was making preparations for the
coming out of Miss Esther Cleveland, her
eldest surviving daughter, who was
known affectionately in other years as
1.-The White House baby"
Probably Met at Aurora.
For many years Mrs. Cleveland has
taken the deepest personal interest in
the welfare of her alma mater. She was
graduated from Wells College in June,
1885. just one year before her marriage
to Mr.. Cleveland in the White House
June 2, 1886. One year later she was
elected alumni trustee Of the institution.
continuous. 1t was thought that her
friendship with Prof. Preston ripened
during her many visits to Aurora.
Mrs. Cleveland was born in Buffalo
July u. 1884. Her father. Oscar Folsom.
was a law partner of Grover Cleveland.
and after his death Mr.. Cleveland became
executor of his estate and guardian of
his daughter. Soon after Mr.. Cleveland
entered the White House his engagement
was announced. and his marriage follow
very quiet ceremony. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cleveland went to Deer Park, Nd, for
their honeymoon.
Popular in the White House.
There was widespread public interest
in the first White House wedding since
the marriage of Nellie Grant, and Mrs.
Cleveland won admiration by the poise
she showed in a trying position for so
young a woman. She made herself uni
versally liked as a hostess in the White
House and enhanced her popularity with
the American public when her daughter
Ruth was born in October, 1891. The
eldest child was not a White House baby,
but by the turn of political fortune the
second child, Esther. was born in the
White House. September 16 1893, the
first child to be born in a Presidents
family while he was In office Marion
was born July Z. 1895; Richard, October
%. 1897. and Francis Grover, July II,
1908. Ruth Cleveland died at Princeton
January Z, 1904.
President Hibben's Announcement.
In announcing the engagement last
night DIR. John Grier Hibben, president
Of Princeton University. said:
Prof. Preston is fifty years old. He
is a graduate of Princeton and one whom
we hold in very high esteem. AS a young
man he began his university studies in
Columbia, which,. however, were inter-
rupted on account of illness. At that
time ne gave up the idea of completing
his education and went into business. in
which he made a very rapid and notable
success. establishing himself at the head
of a very prosperous manufacturing COM
pany in Newark N. ].
After making a substantial fortune
and feeling keenly that continued BUSH
ness success could not compensate for his
abandoned college career, he determined
to attain a long desired end which his
earlier years had denied him. Although
nearing the age Of forty he nevertheless
Closed his active business career and
went abroad to study for two years at
the Sorbonne, Paris.
Took Two Degrees at Once.
Returning to America, he came to
Princeton for two more years Of addi-
tional study. On account Of the wide
range and unusual excellence of his work
both in undergraduate and graduate
studies. he took at the same commence
ment not only the degree of Lift B., but
the degree of M. A. as well, a unique at
tainment. He was also elected at that
time to the Princeton Chapter Of the Phi
Beta Kappa Society.
Prof. Preston was exceedingly popu-
lar and made many friends while at
Princeton. He was subsequently appoint
ed fellow of the American School OF
Classical Study at Rome. and later won
in competition open to all universities
of the United States the fellowship of
the Archaeological Institute of America.
After pursuing his studies abroad he re-
turned to Princeton and took his degree
Of doctor of philosophy. He was then
called to his present professorship of
Wells College.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas ]. Preston, sr.,
live in South Orange N. j."
Acquaintance Here Surprised.
Former acquaintance of Mrs. Grover
Cleveland in this city enjoyed pleasur-
oil In, ~