A Lady Of Virtue
She understands and enjoys her
God-planned femininity.
She seeks God as her source of
strength, comfort, joy~
not her husband, children, or
other relationships.
She is secure and confident in her
God-given purpose.
She keeps her vision before her
and inside her heart.
She cares for herself to be a
better servant to others.
She lays down her life for the
glory of Him Who died for her.
God-planned femininity.
She seeks God as her source of
strength, comfort, joy~
not her husband, children, or
other relationships.
She is secure and confident in her
God-given purpose.
She keeps her vision before her
and inside her heart.
She cares for herself to be a
better servant to others.
She lays down her life for the
glory of Him Who died for her.
| All content on this site is property of Ladies Of Virtue and is protected by copyright. Permission to copy is granted for personal use when proper authorship is provided including a web-site link to the information. Copyright 2007-2010 |
Beautiful Love Story
"The Tale of Lucretia Garfield"
By Amy Puetz
Who was the 20th President of the United States?
Do you know who was the last president to be born
in a log cabin? This man was also the second
president to be assassinated. His wife's nickname
was Crete. Have you guessed it yet? The 20th
President was James A. Garfield. He was a licensed
minister, college president, Major General, senator,
congressman, and most importantly a Godly man.
His beloved wife and First Lady was Lucretia
Rudolph Garfield, and she was a dedicated and
devoted wife. When they took up residence in the
White House in 1881 they were a happy couple,
although their marriage had not always been a
cheerful one. Their story proves that with
commitment, even the most troubled marriage can
become a beautiful love story.
Lucretia Rudolph was born in 1832 to Zebulon
and Arabella Rudolph. Desiring a good education for
his children, Zebulon scraped and saved money to
send his children to school. Lucretia was a bright
and intelligent student but a shy, reserved, and
strong-willed girl. While attending Chester Seminary
she met James A. Garfield. In 1854 she completed
school and began teaching. About this time, James
and Lucretia, whom everyone called Crete, began
corresponding. Because Lucretia was a bashful
woman, she found it easier to write her thoughts in a
letter than to express them in person. James would
fall in love with the Crete who wrote such wonderful
things, but then be quite baffled by the reserved,
distant, uncommunicative Lucretia he encountered
in person, only to fall in love with her again when the
next letter came. Sharing many similar interests,
they were a compatible match. They both loved to
read and study, they were teachers, they were
committed Christians, and they both attended the
Disciples of Christ church. Finally they married in
1858.
If one word could be used to describe the
Garfield's marriage it was duty. The first years of
their union were unhappy. James was away most of
the time preaching or speaking; therefore, their
relationship did not grow because they did not invest
in it. When the Civil War broke out, James served
as a Lieutenant Colonel and was later promoted to
the rank of Major General. In 1863 he was wounded
and sent home to recover. During this time, he and
Crete developed the relationship that his previously
busy schedule had not allowed. Tenderly, Crete
cared for his wounds and mutually they ministered to
their marriage. Their union became a happy,
healthy, harmonious bond. Crete demonstrated such
skill that she soon became her husband's most
intelligent advisor, faithful helpmate, trustworthy
friend, and devoted mother to their seven children.
The eldest and youngest died in childhood; their
names were Eliza “Trot” who died at the age of
three and Edward “Neddie” who died at the age of
two. Their other children were Harry, James, Mary
“Mollie”, Irwin, and Abram. Truly their children
best reflected their love and commitment to their
union, which had developed from a sense of duty into
a delightful love story.
In March 1881, James A. Garfield was
inaugurated as the 20th President of the United
States. A quick look at the world in 1881 shows that
Queen Victoria was the ruler of England, the
Vatican archives were opened to scholars, Monet
painted “Sunshine and Snow,” Brahms composed
“Academic Festival Overture,” the Tuskegee
Institute was founded by Booker T. Washington, and
the population of New York City was 1.2 million
people. It was an industrious time in history.
Leaving their lovely home in Mentor, Ohio, the
Garfields took up residence in the most famous
abode of the land, the White House. Both James and
Lucretia had been born to poor farmers and it was
their character that had brought to them the noblest
position in the country. The plans President Garfield
had for his administration were cut short when he
was shot on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau, a
disappointed office seeker. Having contracted
malaria, Crete was in New Jersey recovering from
her illness when James was shot. Quickly she
rushed to him! Lucretia gained the respect and
adoration of the people by her calm and determined
response to tragedy and by her tender devotion to
her husband during his last months. Although the
President received the best of care, the doctors
could not stop the inevitable and James died in
September. After returning to Lawnfield, the
Garfield's home in Ohio, Lucretia set about saving
the papers, speeches, and writings of her husband.
By preserving the hopes, dreams, and faith of
President James A. Garfield, Lucretia kept alive the
ideals of a great man of God.
Mr. Garfield once said, “The spirit should never
grow old.” His words could be a description of the
character of his wife who did not allow the untimely
death of her husband to make her bitter. She
continued to live, grow, and work for as long as God
gave her breath. Reflecting on her marriage,
Lucretia saw how commitment had led to happiness.
Diligently she had worked to become the wife James
needed and in return he became a loving husband.
She had no regrets. The Garfield’s marriage
demonstrated the truth of the old adage, “success in
marriage is not about finding the right person, it is
about becoming the right person.” The love between
a husband and a wife is a beautiful thing in the sight
of God!
© 2007 Amy Puetz. This story originally appeared in
Heroines of the Past-Victorian an ebook by Amy
Puetz.
Amy Puetz is the author of Uncover Exciting
History: Revealing America's Christian Heritage in
Short, Easy-to-Read Nuggets and Countdown to
Christmas: Memory Making Stories and Activities
for Every Day from December 1st to the 25th. As a
columnist for "Home School Enrichment Magazine"
she shares stories about historical events from a
Christian world view. She especially loves to dig for
little-known stories that show God's providential
hand. Visit her website at www.AmyPuetz.com. Join
her mailing list and receive a free e-book!
"The Tale of Lucretia Garfield"
By Amy Puetz
Who was the 20th President of the United States?
Do you know who was the last president to be born
in a log cabin? This man was also the second
president to be assassinated. His wife's nickname
was Crete. Have you guessed it yet? The 20th
President was James A. Garfield. He was a licensed
minister, college president, Major General, senator,
congressman, and most importantly a Godly man.
His beloved wife and First Lady was Lucretia
Rudolph Garfield, and she was a dedicated and
devoted wife. When they took up residence in the
White House in 1881 they were a happy couple,
although their marriage had not always been a
cheerful one. Their story proves that with
commitment, even the most troubled marriage can
become a beautiful love story.
Lucretia Rudolph was born in 1832 to Zebulon
and Arabella Rudolph. Desiring a good education for
his children, Zebulon scraped and saved money to
send his children to school. Lucretia was a bright
and intelligent student but a shy, reserved, and
strong-willed girl. While attending Chester Seminary
she met James A. Garfield. In 1854 she completed
school and began teaching. About this time, James
and Lucretia, whom everyone called Crete, began
corresponding. Because Lucretia was a bashful
woman, she found it easier to write her thoughts in a
letter than to express them in person. James would
fall in love with the Crete who wrote such wonderful
things, but then be quite baffled by the reserved,
distant, uncommunicative Lucretia he encountered
in person, only to fall in love with her again when the
next letter came. Sharing many similar interests,
they were a compatible match. They both loved to
read and study, they were teachers, they were
committed Christians, and they both attended the
Disciples of Christ church. Finally they married in
1858.
If one word could be used to describe the
Garfield's marriage it was duty. The first years of
their union were unhappy. James was away most of
the time preaching or speaking; therefore, their
relationship did not grow because they did not invest
in it. When the Civil War broke out, James served
as a Lieutenant Colonel and was later promoted to
the rank of Major General. In 1863 he was wounded
and sent home to recover. During this time, he and
Crete developed the relationship that his previously
busy schedule had not allowed. Tenderly, Crete
cared for his wounds and mutually they ministered to
their marriage. Their union became a happy,
healthy, harmonious bond. Crete demonstrated such
skill that she soon became her husband's most
intelligent advisor, faithful helpmate, trustworthy
friend, and devoted mother to their seven children.
The eldest and youngest died in childhood; their
names were Eliza “Trot” who died at the age of
three and Edward “Neddie” who died at the age of
two. Their other children were Harry, James, Mary
“Mollie”, Irwin, and Abram. Truly their children
best reflected their love and commitment to their
union, which had developed from a sense of duty into
a delightful love story.
In March 1881, James A. Garfield was
inaugurated as the 20th President of the United
States. A quick look at the world in 1881 shows that
Queen Victoria was the ruler of England, the
Vatican archives were opened to scholars, Monet
painted “Sunshine and Snow,” Brahms composed
“Academic Festival Overture,” the Tuskegee
Institute was founded by Booker T. Washington, and
the population of New York City was 1.2 million
people. It was an industrious time in history.
Leaving their lovely home in Mentor, Ohio, the
Garfields took up residence in the most famous
abode of the land, the White House. Both James and
Lucretia had been born to poor farmers and it was
their character that had brought to them the noblest
position in the country. The plans President Garfield
had for his administration were cut short when he
was shot on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau, a
disappointed office seeker. Having contracted
malaria, Crete was in New Jersey recovering from
her illness when James was shot. Quickly she
rushed to him! Lucretia gained the respect and
adoration of the people by her calm and determined
response to tragedy and by her tender devotion to
her husband during his last months. Although the
President received the best of care, the doctors
could not stop the inevitable and James died in
September. After returning to Lawnfield, the
Garfield's home in Ohio, Lucretia set about saving
the papers, speeches, and writings of her husband.
By preserving the hopes, dreams, and faith of
President James A. Garfield, Lucretia kept alive the
ideals of a great man of God.
Mr. Garfield once said, “The spirit should never
grow old.” His words could be a description of the
character of his wife who did not allow the untimely
death of her husband to make her bitter. She
continued to live, grow, and work for as long as God
gave her breath. Reflecting on her marriage,
Lucretia saw how commitment had led to happiness.
Diligently she had worked to become the wife James
needed and in return he became a loving husband.
She had no regrets. The Garfield’s marriage
demonstrated the truth of the old adage, “success in
marriage is not about finding the right person, it is
about becoming the right person.” The love between
a husband and a wife is a beautiful thing in the sight
of God!
© 2007 Amy Puetz. This story originally appeared in
Heroines of the Past-Victorian an ebook by Amy
Puetz.
Amy Puetz is the author of Uncover Exciting
History: Revealing America's Christian Heritage in
Short, Easy-to-Read Nuggets and Countdown to
Christmas: Memory Making Stories and Activities
for Every Day from December 1st to the 25th. As a
columnist for "Home School Enrichment Magazine"
she shares stories about historical events from a
Christian world view. She especially loves to dig for
little-known stories that show God's providential
hand. Visit her website at www.AmyPuetz.com. Join
her mailing list and receive a free e-book!
Interested in God's
Providential hand
throughout history?
Miss Puetz has
authored lovely
curriculum studies
centering on culture
and influential
women throughout
history sharing the
woven Providential
plan throughout.
My favorites are
Heroines of the
Past: Victorian
1870-1900 and
Countdown to
Christmas...
The studies are full
of quaint,
meaningful stories
of times past,
art work, activity
ideas, resources,
and plenty more.
Perfect for home
schooling fans of
Charlotte Mason
and unit studies.
Read this article to
the right written by
Amy Puetz,
"Beautiful Love
Story-
The Tale of
Lucretia Garfield".
Her web-site
address is
AmyPuetz.com
Providential hand
throughout history?
Miss Puetz has
authored lovely
curriculum studies
centering on culture
and influential
women throughout
history sharing the
woven Providential
plan throughout.
My favorites are
Heroines of the
Past: Victorian
1870-1900 and
Countdown to
Christmas...
The studies are full
of quaint,
meaningful stories
of times past,
art work, activity
ideas, resources,
and plenty more.
Perfect for home
schooling fans of
Charlotte Mason
and unit studies.
Read this article to
the right written by
Amy Puetz,
"Beautiful Love
Story-
The Tale of
Lucretia Garfield".
Her web-site
address is
AmyPuetz.com