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Part of the American
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Rose Elizabeth Cleveland 1848 ~ 1918
Rose Elizabeth Cleveland
It was a curious coincidence that President Cleveland, President
Arthur's successor, was, like Mr. Arthur, a bachelor and had to
depend upon someone other than a wife to preside over the White
House during his first administration. His choice was his
sister, Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, a young woman of fine
culture, high attainments and superior character, who was
destined to fill the position with infinite credit to herself
and the women of the nation. Miss Cleveland was the daughter and
granddaughter of New England ministers; a sister and
sister-in-law of ministers and missionaries. She was the
youngest of the nine children of Richard Falley and Anne Neal
Cleveland. She was born in Fayetteville, New York. Her parents
subsequently removed to Clinton, New York, and she became a
student in Hamilton College. From Clinton her father removed to
Utica to become the pastor of a church in that city. He did not;
however, long survive. Miss Cleveland was too young to
appreciate the full measure of this calamity. As the family were
poor, they had to give up the parsonage, but the friends of her
husband presented Mrs. Cleveland with a small cottage, where she
resided until her death. During their life in the cottage the
family had a desperate struggle, but through the dignity of
character, economy and discretion of their mother, their slender
means were eked out so wisely that the children were able to
pursue their studies. Mrs. Cleveland was a southerner and had
been born and raised in luxury in the city of Baltimore, where
Mr. Cleveland was employed as a teacher, and after graduating in
the theological department of Princeton College they were
married. The young bride little realized the self-denial and
self-sacrifice that she must practice as the wife of a young
minister, but she loved her husband and during her whole life
was an uncomplaining, devoted wife and mother.
Rose, the youngest child, was a studious girl and took advantage
of every opportunity to acquire an education. After finishing
school, Miss Cleveland went as a teacher to Houghton Seminary,
when she remained for two years, at the end of which time she
accepted the position of principal of the Collegiate Institute
at Lafayette, Indiana, after which she taught in private
families. When, later, it became necessary for her to remain
with her mother, she conceived the idea of lecturing, proposing
it to the principal of Houghton Seminary, who accepted the idea
with much enthusiasm. Miss Cleveland prepared a course of
historical lectures, which were very successful. Her mother died
m the summer of 1882. Miss Cleveland was earnestly urged by her
brothers and sisters to choose a home among them but remained in
Holland Patent, the old home, except when on lecturing tours,
until she was invited by her brother Grover to become mistress
of the White House. Miss Cleveland was very reserved in manner,
thoughtful and dignified, but most cordial in her reception of
people in the White House.
She came into the White House heralded as an intellectual, cold
woman but proved herself to be a most attractive, womanly woman,
thoroughly under-standing human nature and what was due the
callers at White House. She gave many beautiful entertainments,
especially for the house guests, of whom she had many. It is
said that she was Mr. Cleveland's best adviser during his first
term as President, and while she never presumed to express her
opinions on official matters publicly, she was prone to council
with her brother privately and freely express her opinions on
political questions. She had no ambition to become a social
leader or to dictate in frivolous affairs, but she was so
affable and agreeable and intellectual that she was greatly
admired and will be long remembered as one of the most gracious
women who presided over the White House.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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