Our Characters

When Julia Dent Grant was about 12 years old, she and her friends at the boarding school she attended in St. Louis named the occupations they hoped their individual future husbands would have. Julia told her friends emphatically that she wanted to marry a gallang brave soldier. Little did she know what awaited her as the wife of America’s greatest soldier, Ulysses S. Grant, with whom she would share “one of the great, romantic beautiful loves of all American history.”

Martha Washington, the first First Lady of the United States, was a steadfast partner to her husband, George Washington, throughout the Revolutionary War and his presidency. A woman of grace and resilience, she managed the affairs of Mount Vernon while also providing crucial support to the Continental Army, often staying at winter encampments to boost morale. Martha’s legacy as a devoted wife and mother, as well as a symbol of the early American republic, endures to this day.

Alice Roosevelt came into the public spotlight as a teenager when her father, Theodore Roosevelt, became President. She was bright, independent and rebellious and the press and public were enthralled and followed every move. Her blue grey eye color became known as “Alice Blue”. She adored her father, constantly seeking his attention and approval; becoming a “rough rider “ in her own way.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leading figure in the early women’s rights movement. Born in 1815, she helped organize the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, where she presented the Declaration of Sentiments, advocating for women’s equality and the right to vote. Stanton’s work was instrumental in shaping the women’s suffrage movement, making her a pivotal figure in the fight for gender equality in the U.S.

Kate Condon was a noted opera singer in the early 20th century.  Originally from Bloomington, Il, she was known for her comedic roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas on Broadway.  Unfortunately her love life was laced with tragedy.

Clara McClellan, the wife of the esteemed Illinois statesman Robert McClellan, was a remarkable woman in her own right. Before meeting Robert, she served as the headmistress of the Women’s Academy in Jacksonville, IL. At the time, Robert owned the Aldrich House in Galena, where Clara became a renowned hostess, famously entertaining distinguished guests, including President U.S. Grant and his wife, Julia.

Mary Todd Lincoln is one of history’s most misunderstood women. The first presidential wife to be deemed “First Lady”, she was a political strategist, a supporter of emancipation and most of all a mother who survived the loss of three sons and the assassination of her beloved husband. However, her moods, temperament and life decisions framed her as a “mad woman”.

Sarah Coates Harris, who married the renowned riverboat captain Captain Daniel Smith Harris in 1851, was a trailblazing woman in 19th-century Illinois. She became one of the state’s first certified female physicians and was a respected lecturer on anatomy, physiology, and hygiene. A strong advocate for women’s rights, she played a key role in the suffrage movement, even presiding over a Women’s Suffrage convention in Galena that featured prominent leaders Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Edith Garrud was small in stature but agile and strong as a teacher of Jiu Jitsu in London in the 1920s. Her passion for teaching women the  skills needed to defend and protect themselves came to the attention of British suffragettes. Edith’s lessons proved invaluable as attacks on suffragette protestors became increasingly brutal.

Elizabeth Armstrong was a no-nonsense, tobacco-chewing farmer’s wife known for her straightforward demeanor and colorful language. In 1832, she played a crucial role in defending Apple River Fort from Black Hawk and his warriors. With remarkable courage, she organized the 45 settlers in the fort to withstand a siege by 200 Sac and Fox warriors, demonstrating her bravery and leadership in a dire situation.

Dorlisca Stilson was the wife of a Wisconsin farmer who joined the Union Army in 1864. Her husband, James, marched with Sherman and took part in the grand parade in Washington, D.C., honoring both Sherman and Grant. Dorlisca’s story unfolds through the words James wrote in his letters to her, which are still available to read today.

Rose O’Neal Greenhow found herself well connected and admired in the social scene of Washington City at the outbreak of the Civil War. Fiercely loyal to the Confederacy she used her connections and feminine wiles to pass along vital information. She was jailed but eventually released and was sent by Confederate President Jefferson Davis on a diplomatic mission to England and France in hopes of gaining their support. She met a tragic end and was heralded as a Confederate hero.