Continuing with the First Ladies theme- Here is Ellen Arthur (1837-1880) wife of the 21st President, Chester A. Arthur I.
Ellen was born into a very prominent Southern family- her father a renowned Naval Officer, William Lewis Herndon, went down with his ship in 1857. It was the largest loss of life in a commercial shipping disaster. Herndon managed to safely evacuate over 150 women and children- but went down with 400 passengers and crew.
Ellen (or as they called her- Nell) married Chester on October 25th, 1859 in New York City. For the most part, their marriage was a good one- they had two sons and a daughter- but the marriage was somewhat strained by political turmoil and her sympathies towards the Confederacy.
She died from Pneumonia on January 12, 1880- a year before her husband was sworn into office. Arthur’s sister Mary McElroy served as the unofficial First Lady and helped raise the children.
you always give me plenty to think about – thank you for all your work!