Ellen Lewis Herndon was born in Culpeper, Virginia back in 1837 to William and Frances. I don’t have any information about her childhood, however apparently, she was born into a wealthy family. In 1856, she met her future husband. They married in 1859 in New York City. she was a talented soprano who often sang with the Mendelssohn Glee Club.
Her husband served in the Civil War with the New York militia, while Ellen sympathized with the Confederacy. The pair became a prominent around New York. Among their friends were the Vanderbilts, Astors and Roosevelts.
Her husband devoted his time to the New York Republican party, rising through the ranks to become Adjutant General of New York, with the U.S. Army at the rank of brigadier general. In 1880, she came down with a cold, which quickly developed into pneumonia dying two days later at the age of 42.
While you may not know of Ellen surely you have heard of her husband Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States.
Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
. Thanks for the history refresher.
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