Frances Folsom Cleveland

Frances Clara Folsom Cleveland (July 21, 1864 – October 29, 1947) was the first lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889 and again from 1893 until 1897, as the wife of President Grover Cleveland. She was the first and only woman to serve two non-consecutive terms as first lady.

Frances Folsom Cleveland
Cleveland c.1886
First Lady of the United States
In role March 4, 1893 – March 4, 1897
President	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Mary Harrison McKee (acting)
Succeeded by	Ida Saxton McKinley
In role June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
President	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Rose Cleveland (acting)
Succeeded by	Caroline Harrison
Personal details
Born	Frances Clara Folsom (1864-07-21)July 21, 1864 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died	October 29, 1947(1947-10-29) (aged 83) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	Princeton Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Grover Cleveland ​ ​ (m. 1886; died 1908)​ Thomas J. Preston Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1913)​
Children	Ruth Esther Marion Richard Francis
Education	Wells College (BA)
Signature

Early life

She was born in Buffalo, New York. Her birth name was Frances Clara Folsom. Her parents were Emma C. Harmon and Oscar Folsom. Her father later became a law partner of Grover Cleveland. All of her ancestors were from England. Cleveland was a family friend to Oscar's family. After Oscar’s death, Cleveland looked after the family. He arranged for education of Frances Folsom. She studied at Wells College. Cleveland and Frances Folsom sent letters to each other.

Marriage and family

In 1885, Frances Folsom and her mother came to White House to meet Cleveland. Cleveland and Frances Folsom became close to each other, despite being around 27 years younger than Cleveland. On 2 June 1886, they married. This was the first and only couple to wed in the White House. When Frances Folsom became Mrs. Cleveland, she took the role of the First Lady. She gave two receptions every week. She became very popular.

Personal life

In 1888, Cleveland lost the election. The couple lived in New York City. There their first child Ruth was born. In 1893 Cleveland again became the president. Frances Folsom again became active as the First Lady. In 1893, she gave birth to a second child, Esther. In 1895, she bore a third child, named Marion. By the time Cleveland had retired, Frances Folsom had become a very popular First Lady.

The couple retired to live in Princeton, New Jersey. During this time, they had two sons. She was by her husband’s side when he died in 1908. In 1913, Frances remarried. Her second husband was Thomas J. Preston, Jr., a professor of archeology.

Death

Frances Folsom lived until the age of 83, and had become well known in the Princeton University community. She died at age 83 in New Jersey.