FIRST LADIES OF CALIFORNIA

 

 1907-1931
Lyla Young
First Lady Lyla Young
1927-1931
When Lyla was a student at Stanford University, she met  another student Clement Young, and a romance began.  As  first lady, Lyla established the custom of Thursday  afternoon “at home” for friends in Sacramento.
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Kate Olson 
First Lady Kate Jeremy Olson
January 1939-April 1939
Although Kate was ill when she moved into the Governor’s Mansion, she still loved to play poker and sometimes, the game would last all night. Sadly, Kate Olson was the only first lady to die while her husband was in office.
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Jessie Merriam 
First Lady Jessie Merriam
1936-1939
Jessie, who was born in Iowa, settled as an adult in Long  Beach, California, where she met Frank Merriam.  As first  lady, she honored First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at a tea.
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Augusta Richardson
First Lady Augusta Richardson
1923-1927
Augusta moved from Illinois to San Bernandino, California, where she married Friend Richardson, a Quaker and a  newspaper publisher.  Although Augusta was not a writer,  she was involved in newspaper conventions.
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Flora Stephens


First Lady Flora Stephens

1917-1923
When Flora was seven years old, she moved to Poway, California, where she finished her education and taught school.  Living in the Governor’s mansion,  the family  experienced a tragic event.
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Minnie Johnson
First Lady Minnie Johnson
1911-1917
Although Minnie was born in Sacramento, she preferred  living in San Francisco. Minnie was known as “the boss” by her husband and her friends.
Isabella Gillette
First Lady Isabella Gillette
1907-1911
Isabelle, a San Francisco socialite, was a talented pianist,  composed music and wrote poetry.
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