Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Rudolph-Garfield (April 19, 1832 – March 14, 1918), wife of James A. Garfield, was First Lady of the United States in 1881.

Lucretia Garfield
First Lady of the United States
In role March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
President	James A. Garfield
Preceded by	Lucy Webb Hayes
Succeeded by	Mary McElroy
Personal details
Born	(1832-04-19)April 19, 1832 Garrettsville, Ohio, U.S.
Died	March 13, 1918(1918-03-13) (aged 85) Pasadena, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)	James Garfield
Children	Harry Augustus Garfield James Rudolph Garfield Mary Garfield Stanley Brown Irvin McDowell Garfield Abram Garfield
Alma mater	Hiram College
Signature

Early life

She was born in Garrettsville, Ohio. Her father was Zeb Rudolph, a farmer and co-founder of the Eclectic Institute at Hiram, and her mother was Arabella Mason-Rudolph. Lucretia "Crete" Rudolph was a devout member of the Churches of Christ. She was of German, Welsh, English and Irish ancestry. Lucretia Garfield's paternal great-grandfather immigrated to Pennsylvania (in a part that is now Delaware) from Württemberg, Germany.

Marriage and family

She first met James A. Garfield while both were attending a school. They renewed their friendship in 1851 as students of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. They got married on November 11, 1858.

The First Lady

In 1881, Garfield became the President of the United States. The family moved into the White House. Even at the age of 49, she was slim and looked lovely. She was not very much interested in her role as the First Lady. But, she was a charming lady and hosted parties at the White House. In May 1881, she fell ill and was suffering from malaria. She was resting at Long Branch, New Jersey, and was yet to become fit. At that time, she heard the news that someone had shot President Garfield, her husband. She rushed to Washington by train. On its way, the train met with an accident. She did not suffer any injury. When she reached Washington, she remained by the side of her husband. He could not remain alive and died after about three months.

Personal life

After his death, she left for Ohio. There she lived for 36 years, and spent her time arranging and caring for the records of her husband’s career. A part of her home became a presidential library of her husband’s papers.

Death

She died at her home in South Pasadena, California on March 13, 1918. Her casket was placed above ground beside the coffin of her husband in the lower level crypt of the presidential tomb at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Other websites

• Find a Grave
• Lucretia Garfield White House biography Archived 2004-01-02 at the Wayback Machine

Honorary titles
Preceded by Lucy Webb Hayes	First Lady of the United States 1881	Succeeded by Mary McElroy