Welcome to part 6 of the First Ladies of the 20th Century Series! Today's post features Mrs. Grace Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge. Grace Anna Goodhue was born on January 3, 1879 in Burlington, Vermont. She was the only child of Andrew and Lemira Goodhue. Her father was the steamboat inspector for the Lake Champlain Transportation Company and had been appointed to this position by President Grover Cleveland. Grace began her education at age 5 at a local public school. She also attended Burlington Public Grammar School and Burlington High School. It was while she was in grammar school that she began to take an interest in music and began taking piano lessons. At high school, she studied Latin, French, geology, biology, and chemistry as well as taking a course on elocution. In 1898, upon completion of grade school, she enrolled at the University of Vermont. (She is the first First Lady to have a four-year college degree.) Grace was active in many things in college including glee club and acting in Shakespearean plays. She also founded the first Pi Beta Phi sorority. Upon completion of college, Grace began a program at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech on lip reading. After finishing she became a teacher there. Education of deaf children became her lifelong passion. In 1903, Grace met a young rising lawyer named Calvin Coolidge. Grace's outgoing charm proved to be the perfect complement to Calvin's quiet manner. Two years later, Calvin proposed to Grace in the form of an ultimatum: "I am going to be married to you". Grace agreed quickly and the two were married on October 4th, 1905 in a simple ceremony at her parents' house. The two honeymooned in Montreal, Canada and upon return settled into a simple house in Northampton, Massachusetts. Calvin's political career started in 1907 when he was elected to the Massachusetts General Court. He also would serve three terms as Lieutenant Governor and one term as Governor of Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Grace stayed at their home in Northampton to raise their two sons. The couple was known far and wide for living simply and frugally and while Governor, Calvin rented a dollar and a half room in Boston and came home on weekends. In 1921, Calvin became Vice President under Harding. Grace quickly settled into Washington society and became one of the most popular women in the Capital. Her natural charm and her stylish clothes (her one indulgence) were admired by all. Upon the death of Harding, Calvin became President of the United States and Grace, the First Lady. Grace's hostess style was unpretentious and dignified and she became one of the most popular hostesses. The highlight of her time as First Lady came in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh returned from his transatlantic flight. Grace loved animals and was often seen with many different pets, including a raccoon named Rebecca that she was given in 1926 for a Thanksgiving gift. Grace was never particularly interested in political affairs and did not even know that her husband was not seeking re-election in 1928 until it was announced to the press. Despite this, the Coolidges were a devoted couple and Grace was always attentive to her husband's needs. Calvin summed up his marraige to her in these words: " For almost a quarter of a century she has born my infirmities, and I have rejoiced in her graces." After leaving the White House, the Coolidges settled into The Beeches, a large house with spacious grounds.
Calvin died there on January 5, 1933. After his death, Grace continued her work with deaf children and also was active in the Red Cross, civil defense, and scrap drives during WWII. Grace died on July 8, 1957 at the age of 78 and was buried next to her husband in Plymouth, Vermont.
0 Comments
With summer travel here, I thought I would share with y'all some vintage photos and posters of travel in the 1900s-50s! Hope you enjoy! :)
7/4/2021 0 Comments Happy Independence Day!Happy Independence Day, friends!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating the freedom we have in our nation!
-Emma Hello! I'm back with the next installment of the First Ladies of the 20th Century series. Today's post is featuring Florence Harding, wife of President Warren G. Harding. Florence Mabel Kling was born on August 15, 1860 in Marion, Ohio to Amos and Louisa Kling. Amos was a prominent Marion accountant and businessman. Florence was the oldest of three children. In 1866, Florence was enrolled in Union School, where she studied the classics. Florence's father also instructed her in many business skills such as banking, real estate and farm managing. Florence was an avid horse enthusiast and participated in many races, which was unusual for a young lady of her time. After graduating from High School, Florence persued music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where her goal was to become a concert pianist. She would practice for seven hours every day for the next three years! She later recalled that she once kept playing until her finger bled. At the age of 19, she eloped with Henry Atherton "Pete" De Wolfe. The two were married in Columbus, Ohio in 1880. Florence gave birth to her only child, Marshall, in September of that year. Pete worked at a warehouse, however, alcoholism soon led him to abandon his family in 1882. Florence moved in with her friend, Carrie Wallace, and relied on her mother for financial support for her and her young son. Florence became a piano teacher to earn extra income. Two years later, Florence and Pete were officially divorced. Soon after, Florence met Warren Gamaliel Harding who was the owner of the Marion Star at the time. Warren's sister Charity had been a piano student of Florence's. The Marion Star reported of a trip made to Yellowstone National Park by the two and Florence's mother and a little while after their return, they officially became a couple. In 1890, Florence and Warren became engaged. Florence's father violently opposed the engagement, saying that Warren was rumored to have Black ancestry. Florence's mother, however, approved of the marraige and secretly attended the wedding in 1891. The two took a honeymoon tour of Chicago, St. Paul, Yellowstone, and the Great Lakes. After their marraige, Florence took over the circulation department of the Marion Star. Florence was very frugal in her management and under her direction the paper prospered. As the paper continued to flourish, Warren's political career took off. He quickly moved his way through the ranks of Ohio politics, becoming a senator in 1899. Florence observed legislative hearings from the balcony and would often visit other newspapers to ensure good coverage for her husband. Throughout the years 1905-1913, Florence had many struggles with nephroptosis. With many surgeries, hospital stays, and time spent at sanitariums, few thought she would make it through these years. However, she managed to recover. Even during these many health issues, Florence continued to be active in her husband's political campaigns. She was completely devoted to him and once remarked " I have only one real hobby- my husband. " In early 1915, her young son Marshall died of tuberculosis. She grieved his death and made a trip to Colorado later in the year to be with his wife, Esther, and also to help pay off some of his financial debts. In 1920, Warren became the Republican nominee for President and Florence worked tirelessly on his campaign. Upon securing the White House, Florence moved into her new role as First Lady. Her first act was to open the mansion and grounds to the public again, since they had been closed all during President Wilson's illness. She often hosted garden parties for veterans of the last war, large state dinners, and formal dinners on the presidential yacht. Florence loved her new role as White House tour guide and thoroughly enjoyed learning the history of the executive mansion. Mrs. Harding became one of the first First Ladys to be recognizable by the public. She often appeared in newsreel footage alongside the President and posed for many photos on the White House lawn. Florence was also the first First Lady to personally answer many letters sent to her. She had a deep interest in politics and advised her husband on many cabinet nominees, including Secretary of State and director of the Veteran's Bureau. At the inauguration, some people believed she was prompting her husband and may have helped write his speech. Mrs. Harding championed many social causes including victims of the Armenian genocide, immigrant children, and veterans of the First World War. She went out of her way to improve ward conditions at Walter Reed Hospital. Florence traveled with her husband many places and was with him when he died unexpectedly in California in 1923. She endured the long train ride back to the Capitol with her husband's body and attended his funeral and burial at Marion City Cemetary.
Kidney troubles following his death caused Florence to take a small cottage on the grounds of Dr. Sawyer's Sanatarium in Marion. Her last public appearance was a Remembrance Day parade, in honor of local veterans. Florence died on November 21st, 1924 of kidney failure and was buried alongside her husband, until both bodies were later removed upon completion of the Harding Memorial. |
AuthorHi everyone! I am Emma, the owner of The Lovely Shoppe Co. I share shop updates, vintage outfits, and vintage photos of everything from fashion to sports to travel to music to cars to actors and everything else! Archives
September 2021
|