Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston
First LAdy of the United States
Died when: 83 years 100 days (999 months)Star Sign: Leo
Frances Clara Cleveland Preston (née Folsom born as Frank Clara;July 21, 1864 – October 29, 1947) was an American socialite, education activist, and the first lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889, and again from 1893 to 1897 as the wife of President Grover Cleveland.
She remains the youngest presidential wife at the age of 21, she was the only first lady to be wed in the White House, and she is the only first lady to have served the role during two non-consecutive terms.
She was incredibly popular as first lady, becoming the subject of intense public and media attention.Folsom met Grover Cleveland while she was an infant, as he was a friend of her father's.
When her father died in 1875, Grover became her unofficial guardian.She was educated at Wells College, and after graduating, she married Grover while he was the incumbent president.
When Grover lost reelection in 1888, they went into private life for four years and began having children.They returned to the White House when Grover was elected again in 1892, though much of her time in the second term was dedicated to her children.
Frances and Grover had five children, four of whom survived to adulthood.She involved herself in education, serving on the Wells College board and organizing the construction of kindergartens.
Grover died in 1908, and Frances married Thomas J.Preston Jr. in 1913.Frances continued to work in education activism after leaving the White House, becoming involved with Princeton University.
During World War I, Frances and Thomas advocated military preparedness and American involvement.She died in 1947 and was buried alongside Grover in Princeton Cemetery.
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