President Grover Cleveland becomes first president to marry while in office on June 2, 1886

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - President Grover Cleveland became the first president to marry while in office on June 2, 1886. He married Frances Folsom, the daughter of his late law partner.

For the first two years of his presidency, Cleveland was a bachelor. He was seen as a hard working president, working past midnight until early hours of the morning.

Frances was 27 years younger than Cleveland. Her father had died when she was only 11 years-old. Cleveland was close to the family and his nickname for her was “Frank.”

Many thought the President would marry Frances’ mother, his late partner’s widow. Some were surprised when he announced his engagement to Frances soon after she turned 21.

The two married in the White House before a small gathering of friends and family. Frances quickly became a popular First Lady. While Cleveland disliked the attention of media, Frances seemed to handle it well.

The couple eventually had five children. Two were born while Cleveland was in office. Their second daughter Esther was the first child born in a White House bedroom.