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Frances Folsom Cleveland was born an only child in Buffalo, New York, to Emma C. Harmon and Oscar Folsom.
When she was eleven, her father was thrown from a horse carriage, and killed instantly. Cleveland was his law partner, and a close member of the family. Therefore, he acted as legal guardian to Frances, keeping her best interests, plus politics, as his two priorities in life.
Upon graduating from high school, Frances was admitted to Wells College, Aurora, New York. Cleveland was Governor of New York, so he sent her flowers from the conservatories of the governor's mansion in Albany, until she graduated in June, 1885.
Everywhere Frances went, she gained popularity with her charm. She graduated from Wells College, and on that special day, she received a sensational arrangement of beautiful, white flowers. This time they were from the White House. Cleveland had become President of the United States.
Grover Cleveland was one of three presidents to marry while in the White House. He had loved Frances his entire life, and affectionately referred to her as "Frank." They spent their honeymoon at Deer Park in the Allegheny Mountains.
After they married, the question was posed to Cleveland, "Why did you wait so long to marry your wife?"
Cleveland chuckled, and was quoted as responding with, "I've been waiting for her to grow up."
At the time they married, Cleveland was forty-nine. "Frank" was twenty-one.
While Cleveland was in the White House, Congress met and could find no issues to discuss. One of the men suggested they come up with a subject on society. They did just that, and someone manufactured the brilliant idea that Mrs. Cleveland had decided to abolish the bustle.
When the news hit home with her, she consented, and removed it from her clothing. Although it was not a big deal to her, she certainly did not want to contradict Congress, so she immediately ordered a gown without the bustle. This First Lady was never seen again with a bustle.
Cleveland never loved another woman during his entire life. He adored "Frank" and always thought of her as a child.
Mrs. Cleveland had the endurable strength to follow through with many situations, when other people would find themselves exhausted. Perhaps being the youngest First Lady was a reason for her endurance, but it certainly was not the only one. She was truly a gift to the women of this country, and certainly to Grover Cleveland.
It has been recorded by a contemporary journalist that she did something no other First Lady has ever done, while in the White House. "At receptions, she would take a step forward and shake hands with the caller, returning to her position before saluting the next in line. Only a person with tremendous physical endurance could carry this task out successfully. At New Year's receptions, for example, approximately nine thousand persons greeted the President and his wife. Mrs. Cleveland took nine thousand steps and shook hands nine thousand times at each of these occasions."
In 1888, Cleveland was defeated, so the Clevelands lived in New York City, where Ruth was born.
In 1893, a daughter named Esther, was born after the re-election. She was born in the White House.
Two years later, another child, Marion, was born in the Presidential Mansion.
Mrs. Cleveland left the White House, being one of the most admirable women ever to live reside there.
In 1908, President Cleveland died, with his loving wife at his side.
In 1913, Frances married a professor of archeaology, and resided with him in Princeton until she died at the age of eighty-four.
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