Presidential First Ladies or Their Representative's Favorite Recipes, Part II

donna

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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As I wrote in first thread on these Presidential Ladies, I needed to start another thread as the one was getting so long. I am starting this one with Julia Boggs Dent Grant, wife of the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses Simpson Grant ( whose name at birth was Hiram Ulysses Grant).

Julia Dent Grant was born on Jan. 26, 1826 in St. Louis, Mo. She married Grant on August 22, 1848 in St. Louis. They had four children, Frederick Dent Grant (1850-1912), Ulysses Simpson Grant (1852-1929), Ellen Wrenshall (Nellie) Grant (1855-1922), and Jesse Root Grant (1858-1934).

Julia Dent Grant was very much admired as a White House hostess. In keeping with the fashion of the time, her dinners often extended to 29 courses. She also did some decorating in the White House to bring it up to the fashion of the times.

Mrs. Grant had many recipes. I have posted on them before in this forum. But it is written, that her husband's favorite was Rice Pudding with Lemon Sauce. Actually it is written he was a "maniac for it".

When Grant entered the White House, he brought with him a cook who was a quartermaster from the Army. This cook thought it was perfectly adequate that if you had a small turkey for the family, that all you had to do was have a large turkey for a huge dinner party. Mrs. Grant did not think this was adequate. She replaced him with an Italian chef who had special talent for preparing opulent banquets. Her parties and dinners were the talk of Washington.

Recipe for Rice Pudding Melah

3/4 cup long-grain rice
1 1/2 quarts milk
3 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
1/2 cup silvered almonds

Simmer rice and milk slowly until the rice is soft. Stir in butter and lemon peel, remove from the stove and cool. Beat the eggs and sugar well and fold them into the rice mixture. Pour the mixture into a large baking pan, top with slivered almonds, and bake at 325 degrees until the custard sets, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

This may be served either warm or cold, with a topping of Lemon sauce.

Lemon Sauce:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
3 tablespoons lemon juice.

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt, stir in water gradually. Cook, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Blend in remaining ingredients. Pour atop the rice pudding.

This recipe makes 8 servings

Julia Dent Grant died on December 14, 1902, at age 76 in Washington, D.C. She is buried in New York, New York next to her husband in Grant's Tomb.

Note: As we all know Grant was General in U.S. Army during the Civil War. He later served as Secretary of War for Johnson, and then became President for 2 terms, March 4, 1869-March 4, 1877.

Recipe from: "Not the Only Lemon Lover: A Couple of Recipes from Ulysses S. Grant". from Emerging Civil War.

Biographical information from: "Facts About the Presidents", by Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell, Steven Anzovin, The H. W. Wilson Company, Bronx, New York, 2001. Pages 197-198.
 
Lucy Ware Webb Hayes was the wife of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, the 19th President of the United States. Lucy was born on Aug. 28, 1831 in Chillicothe, Ohio. She married Rutherford on December 30, 1852 in Cincinnati, Ohio. They had eight children

Their eight children were : Birchard Austin Hayes (1853-1926), James Webb Cook Hayes (1856-1934), Rutherford Platt Hayes (1858-1927), Joseph Thompson Hayes (1861-1863), George Crook Hayes (1864-1866), Fanny Hayes (1867-1950), Scott Russell Hayes (1871-1923), and Manning Force Hayes (1873-1874).

Lucy was the first, first lady to graduate from college. She was a lady whose strong opinions on social issues were informed by her strong Methodism. Early in her marriage, she encouraged Rutherford, a young lawyer, to defend runaway slaves in court and gave employment in her household to freed slaves.

During the Civil War she journeyed to a military hospital to nurse Hayes after he was wounded. She later made repeated visits to his army camp, where she cared for sick soldiers under the supervision of her brother, the regiment's doctor.

In the White House she was known for her generous gestures, especially toward the staff. The traditional Easter Egg roll on the White House lawn got its start in 1876 when Lucy opened the grounds to the neighborhood children.

She was a very religious person. In 1880 she was named national president of the Women's Home Missionary Society, which was a Methodist social-welfare organization. She was also a prominent member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She and Rutherford did not serve alcohol in the White House. Because of this, she was nicknamed "Lemonade Lucy". It was also her custom to start the day at the White House with a morning prayer service.

Lucy was also a great cook. She had many recipes which I have posted. One of the Hayes' family favorites was Green Corn Fritters or Cakes.

"Grate the corn, and allow an egg and a half for every cupful, with a tablespoon of milk or cream. Beat the eggs well, add the corn by degrees, beating very hard; salt to taste, put a tablespoonful of melted butter to every pint of corn, stir in the milk, and thicken with just enough flour to hold them together - say a tablespoonful for every two eggs. You may fry in hot lard. as you would fritters, but a better plan is to cook upon a griddle, like batter cakes. Test a little first, to see that it is right consistency."

"Eaten at dinner or breakfast, these always meet with cordial welcome."

As a note, Rutherford and Lucy Hayes celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in the White House on Dec. 31, 1877. Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Dow McCabe of Ohio Wesleyan University, who had originally united them in marriage on Dec. 30, 1852, re-enacted the ceremony at the silver anniversary celebration.

Lucy died on June 25, 1889 in Fremont, Ohio. She and her husband were first buried in the Fremont City Cemetery. Years later they were transferred to the grounds of "Spiegel Grove", which today is the library of President Rutherford Hayes.

Note during Civil War Rutherford B. Hayes served in the Union Army. He was in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His wife, Lucy ministered to the wounded soldiers, cheered the homesick and comforted the dying. She was known as "Mother Lucy" to the men.

The Hayes had tragedy in their family as did many of this time. Joseph Thompson Hayes who was born on Dec. 21, 1861, brief life came to an end on June 24, 1863, while visiting his father's military encampment at Camp White, near Charleston, West Virginia. Another son, George Cook Hayes was born on Sept. 29, 1864 in Cincinnati, while his father was away fighting in the Civil war. He was the second of the Hayes children to die in infancy on May 24, 1866.

Information from: "Facts About the Presidents", by Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell and Steven Anzovin.

from: http://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/family/

http://www.whitehousehistory.org/history/white-house-first-ladies/first-lady-lucy-hayes.html

http:www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5196

Recipe from: http://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/collections/display.asp?id=649&subj=collections
 
Lucretia, nickname "Crete" Randolph Garfield was the wife of 20th President of the United States, James Abram Garfield. She was born on April 19, 1832 in Hiram, Ohio . She and James were married on November 11, 1858 in Hiram, Ohio. They had seven children, Eliza Arabella Garfield (1860-1863), Harry Augustus Garfield (1863-1942), James Rudolph Garfield (1865-1950), Mary (Molly) Garfield (1867-1947), Irvin McDowell Garfield (1870-1951), Abram Garfield (1872-1958), and Edward Garfield (1874-1876).

Lucretia Garfield was First Lady for less than seven months. Her husband was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled Republican on July 2, 1881. She was actually recuperating from malaria in Long Branch, New Jersey when she received the news. The president lasted until Sept. 19, 1881, He died from careless work by surgeons that led to infection causing his death.

In the short time Lucretia was first lady she held cheerful social events at the White House. She lifted the ban on serving alcoholic drinks that had been imposed by the former first lady, Lucy Hayes. She also started researching the history and accomplishments of previous first ladies. She also initiated a project to make an inventory of the historic objects contained in the White House.

James Garfield's favorite foods were squirrel stew, fresh bread, milk, tea mashed potatoes, parsnips, and apple pie. Mrs. Garfield had many recipes. One of which was her Potato Bread, one of James' favorites.

Lucretia Garfield's Potato Bread

Ingredients:

1 large russet or log white potato
1/4 cup butter, cut up
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
4 1/4-4 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 packages active dry yeast
2 eggs
all purpose flour
2 cups water

Peel and cube potato. In saucepan, combine potato and the water. Bring to boiling. Cook covered for 12 to 15 minutes or until very tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup of hot cooking liquid. Set liquid aside. Mash potato cubes with a potato masher. Set aside.

Combine reserved cooking liquid, butter and salt. Cool to 120 degrees to 130 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of the 4 1/4 cups flour and the yeast. Add reserved cooking liquid and eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping side of bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in mashed potatoes and as much of the remaining flour as you can.

On a lightly floured surface, knead in as much of the remaining flour as you can to make a moderately stiff dough that's smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled (1 to 1 1/2 hours).

Place dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Shape into loaves or rolls. For loaves, shape each half of dough into a loaf. Lightly dip tops of loaves into additional flour. Place loaves, floured sides up in 2 greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pans. For rolls, divide each half of dough into 12 pieces. Shape into balls. Lightly dip tops into flour. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover bread or rolls. Let rise until nearly doubled (30 to 40 minutes).

Bake in 375 degrees oven. For loaves, bake 35 to 40 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped. For rolls, bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans; cool on a wire rack. Makes 2 loaves or 24 rolls.

Lucretia Garfield had more than her share of tragedies. She lost a 3 year old daughter and her time as first lady was cut short when an assassin's bullet felled her husband as he was on his way to see her at the New Jersey seashore where she was recuperating from malaria. President Garfield lingered for two months from his wounds and died as much from inadequate medical care as from blood poisoning. Lucretia was left to raise her five remaining children alone. She like other first ladies were tramuatized by the death of their husbands at the hands of assassins and fled the country for a time.

Mrs. Garfield died on March 14, 1918 in Pasadena, California. She is buried in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband.

Note: Garfield resigned his position at Hiram College and joined the Union Army. He began as lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and fought in the Battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga. He ended his army service as a major general on Dec. 5, 1863. He resigned from Army, as he was elected to the US House of Representatives by Ohio. He served 9 consecutive terms in the House. He was elected president in 1880.

In congress, Garfield was a supporter of the Radical Republicans. He opposed President Andrew Johnson's lenient policy toward the South and demanded enfranchisement of African-American men.

Biography from:

http:www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/James_A._Garfield

http://www.presidential-power.org/us-first-ladies/lucretia-garfield.htm

"Facts About the Presidents" by Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell, and Steven Anzovin

Recipe from:

http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/yeast-breads/lucretia-garfields-potato-bread/
 
I really hope people are enjoying these thread. Part I and Part II, on the first ladies or the ladies who acted as first ladies. They do take a lot of time but find them so interesting to research. Love finding out the favorite foods and the recipes of these ladies.
 
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st president of the U.S. from Sept. 20, 1881 to March 4, 1885. He became president upon death of James Abram Garfield.

President Arthurs's wife, Ellen Herndon Arthur died before her husband was elected Vice President. His daughter, Ellen was only 10 years old when he succeeded to the presidency. Thus the duties of hostess to the White House were assumed by Arthur's sister Mary Arthur McElroy of Albany, N.Y. Mrs. McElroy had her own family in Albany, thus she only lived in Washington D.C. at the White House during the busy winter social season. She proved to be a popular and competent hostess. At other times during the year, President Arthur served as his own hostess.

The procedures that Mrs. McElroy and her brother developed for social functions were used by future First Ladies for decades. One of the customs that Mrs. McElroy started was the custom of afternoon tea at the White House.

Mary Arthur McElroy presided over a number of events and honored several former First Ladies, which included Julia Tyler and Harriet Lane, James Buchanan's niece and his hostess, by having them help serve and receive guests. She also allowed her daughter May and Arthur's daughter, Nell to assist as hostesses. At her final function at the White House on Feb. 28, 1885, there were 3000 guests. She was assisted at that event by 48 daughters of officials and social elite of the time.

President Arthur liked all kinds of foods. Some of his favorites were seafood of all kinds, mutton chops, Nesslerode Pudding and rock cookies which were served at the afternoon teas. But his very favorite dessert was Devil's Food Cake.

Recipe for Devil's Food Cake

1/2 cup butter
3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup water
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour one 9 x 13 inch pan or 2 9 inch round pans.

In a small pan melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate. Set aside to cool.

Cream together the sugar and the eggs until light in color. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs and temper mixture by beating well. Add 1 cup boiled water and blend well. Mixture will be very liquid.

Mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this to the chocolate mixture and blend well.

Mix together the vinegar and the milk and stir into the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan or pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes . Cake divided well for filling with mousse or ganache or black forest filing. The best clue to the cake being nearly done is that you will start to smell the aroma of chocolate filing your house.

Note: During part of Civil War, Chester Alan Arthur was appointed engineer-in-chief on the staff of Governor Morgan with the rank of brigadier-general, New York State Militia and from July 10-Dec., 1862 was quartermaster-general of New York City with the rank of brigadier-general. In 1863, he resumed the practice of law in New York City.

Biographical Information from:

"Facts About the Presidents" by Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell and Steven Anzovin and from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Arthur_McElroy

Recipe from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipes.aspx?recipeID=7349&origin=detail&servin...
 
Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. His first term was from March 4, 1885 to March 4, 1889 and his 2nd term was from March 4, 1893 to March 4, 1897. Benjamin Harrison served between Cleveland's two terms from March 4, 1889 to March 4, 1893.

During Grover Cleveland's first term his sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland acted as first lady. Grover married Frances Folsom on June 2, 1886 at the White House. Grover Cleveland was the first President to be married in the White House. At 21 years old Frances was the youngest woman to be First Lady. She then became hostess at the White House.

Grover Cleveland loved foods. His favorites were corned beef and cabbage, oatmeal, steak and eggs, brown bread, pickled herring and snicker doodles. Actually, there was no food that he didn't like. President and Mrs. Cleveland liked to entertain.

Mrs. Cleveland was known for her Grape Sherbet.

"Sweeten one quart of grape juice to taste; add one cup of sugar to two cups of orange juice until the sugar is dissolved; add to the grape juice; turn into the freezer and freeze, When nearly frozen remove the dasher and beat with a spoon the white of one egg, beaten light with 2 teaspoonfuls of powdered sugar. Beat well, pack, and stand to ripen."

The Clevelands had 5 children. Two, Esther Cleveland and Marion Cleveland were born in the White House.

Grove Cleveland died on June 24, 1908. His wife, Frances remarried on Feb. 10, 1913 to Thomas Jex Preston.

Note: Since the age of 16, Cleveland had been working to support his widowed mother and younger sisters and brothers. He later was admitted to the bar in 1859 and started his political activities. In 1863, Cleveland's name was one of the first to be drawn in Buffalo under the Conscription Act that Congress had passed in March of 1863.

As an antiwar Democrat and as his family's principal means of support, and because he didn't want to leave behind his career, Cleveland paid a substitute $150 to serve in his place. This was legal at the time. He paid a 32 year old Polish immigrant to take his place. This was frowned upon by many as some thought this the coward's way out, but later it did not hurt his being elected as president. Popular resentment of the commutation clause brought about its repeal by Congress in 1864.

Facts from: "Facts About The Presidents" by Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell, and Steven Anzovin.
 
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States. He served from March 4, 1889 to March 4, 1893. He was born on August 20, 1833 in North Bend, Ohio. He was a Lawyer, City Attorney, General in the Civil war, State Supreme Court Reporter, Member of the Mississippi River Commission, U.S. Senator, and President of the United States.

He was married 2 times. His first wife was Caroline Lavinia Scott. She married Benjamin on October 20, 1853. They had two children. She served as hostess for President Harrison until she became an invalid.. She died before the end of her husband's term of office. While she was ill, the social events at the White House were supervised by her niece, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick. She lived at the White House for two years.

After Harrison left office, he married Mrs. Dimmick in New York City. They had one daughter.

While the first Mrs. Harrison was first Lady, she was founder of the White House Presidential china collection in 1889. In 1890 she wanted to enlarge the White House but was never carried out.

Caroline Lavinia died on October 25, 1892. She is buried in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The second Mrs. Harrison, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick died on Jan. 5, 1948 in New York City. She is also buried in Indianapolis.

Benjamin Harrison died on March 13, 1901 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Harrison's Civil War Service:

Benjamin Harrison was commissioned second lieutenant of Indiana Volunteers on July 14, 1862. Between July 1862 and June 1865 he formed Company A of the 70th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. He went with regiment to Ky. He was brevetted brigadier general on Jan. 23, 1865. On June 8, 1865 he was honorably discharged from the Army.

During Harrison's term, six states were admitted into the United States. They were North Dakota, and South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming.

President Harrison's favorite food was Blue Point Oysters. Mrs. Caroline Harrison was known for her interest in foods. She collected and compiled a cookbook of her recipes and other legislator wives' recipes. It was called the "Statesman Dishes - How To Cook Them".

Information from:

"Facts About the Presidents", pages 247-254.
 
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William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States. He was born on Jan. 29, 1843 in Niles, Ohio. He attended school in Ohio. Later he studied law at law office of Judge Charles Glidden in Youngstown, Ohio.

McKinley served as President from March 4, 1897 to Sept. 14, 1901. He was shot and died of the wounds during his second term . He was actually shot on Sept. 6, 1901 at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y. He died from wounds on Sept. 14th.

McKinley was married to Ida Sexton McKinley. Mrs. McKinley could not serve as hostess for the White House. She had been an invalid for many years before becoming first lady. She was an epileptic and had had a seizure at the second inaugural ball. The president was noted for his tender affection and great devotion to his ailing wife. At state dinners she would sit next to her husband so he could help her if she had a seizure or passed out.

The Vice President's wife, Jennie Hobson helped Mrs. McKinley by coming to all events and standing in receiving line to greet guests. She visited Mrs. McKinley everyday. They were very good friends.

The McKinley's mostly liked plain foods. They did enjoy large breakfasts, with eggs both fried and scrambled. One of President McKinley's favorites was Red Flannel Hash. He also enjoyed Boiled Fish and Hot Lobster Salad.

Even though the McKinleys liked simple foods they did hold some of the largest and lavish formal affairs. At the formal affair for the President of Hawaii, there were 80 guests and over 70 courses.

McKinley's Civil War Service::

William McKinley served during the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in the 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry on June 11, 1861. His first engagement was at the Battle of Carnifax Ferry on Sept. 10, 1861. He was promoted to commissary sergeant on April 15, 1862. He was at the Battle of Antietam and has monument there. On March 13, 1865 he was made brevetted major of volunteers. He was honorably discharged with rank of captain on July 26, 1865.

McKinley also served as Governor of Ohio from Jan.11, 1892 to Jan. 12, 1896.

Upon his death, Theodore Roosevelt became President of the U.S.

Even though Mrs. McKinley couldn't serve as hostess as others before her did, she always tried to accompany the President to all dinners and events. They were a very devoted couple. President McKinley is buried in Canton, Ohio.

Information from: "Facts About the Presidents", Joseph Nathan Kane, Janet Podell and Steven Anzon, pages 263-272.
 
I really hope people are enjoying these thread. Part I and Part II, on the first ladies or the ladies who acted as first ladies. They do take a lot of time but find them so interesting to research. Love finding out the favorite foods and the recipes of these ladies.

I'm glad you decided to revive the thread. I hope it will get more visitors.
 
I hope it gets more visitors too. Love to learn about wives and hostesses for the presidents. Also interest in the presidential favorite food. So many also have Civil War connection.

You could look at 19th century social movements and changes through the First Ladies. There were former slave owners, teetotalers, lavish hostesses.
 
Donna. Thanks for providing the wonderful and delicious recipes as well as the interesting information on the Presidents. David.
 
Bumping the second part of these Presidential favorites. I need to add the next presidents. Like learning what was popular for them and their time.

Happy Presidents' Day, Feb. 21, 2022.
 
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