Steve and Baby Francis
Who was the other president that served two terms that were not consecutive? Upon leaving the White House the first Lady told the head of her staff, “Now Jerry, take good care of everything, don’t throw away any ornaments or dishes, we’re going to be back.”
Steve was living the good life. He couldn’t imagine life to be any better. He was a partner in a prestigious law firm, and he worked with his best friend everyday. They also played together, drank beer together, and they also owned a cabin on Grand Island where they spent spare time together. Also a big part of Steve’s life was his goddaughter Francis.
Steve had been with her family at her birth, he bought her first baby carriage, and he read to her nearly every day. Francis referred to Steve as, “Uncle Cleve.” Steve and Francis’ father Oscar Folson were best friends. They were fishing buddies, they saw each other nearly every day, until that fateful day when Oscar was killed in a buggy accident. At 10:00 p.m. that night Steve was waiting for Oscar to return, but Oscar never came. Someone had parked a wagon in an awkward position and Oscar clipped the wagon as he drove by.
Francis was 11 at the time and now Steve would see more of her, as he was made executor of Oscar’s estate. Steve would see personally that Francis went to the best schools and received the best education. Francis graduated from Central High School in Buffalo, New York, and went on to Wells College. Steve would refer to Francis as, “My little school girl.”
In the following years Steve entered politics. He became county sheriff, then was elected mayor of Buffalo. Steve was elected president in 1884. You might say he was number 22 and 24. Steve was Steven Grover Cleveland. He was also the only president to be married in the White House. Which is where the story begins.
Francis was unable to attend the inauguration because she had a college test, but she was there that evening for the inaugural ball. That evening was when sparks began to fly. The next fall Francis took a trip to Europe, and it was there that she announced that she and Grover Cleveland would be wed in the White House the next June.
Grover and Francis were married, June 2, 1886, and went on to have five children. They were married 22 years when Grover died at the age of 71. Francis lived to the age of 83. But you might say that President Trump, and President Cleveland had another thing in common.
President Cleveland was caught up in a scandal with a lady. While Grover was running for office a widow by the name of Maria Halpin came forward and said Grover was the father of her son. In fact she named her son Oscar Folsom Cleveland. The 1884 campaign was about scandal. The scandal of Grover Cleveland having a love child. Grover Cleveland did pay child support for the child.
The child was adopted by a doctor, and he changed his name. In the story of Francis and Grover, we might conclude that love knows no age.
—James Neuhouser
