First Ladies of the United States: Ellen Wilson

Ellen Louise Axon was born in Savannah, Georgia, on May 15, 1860. Her father, Samuel Edward Axon, was an ordained Presbyterian minister, and her mother, Margaret Jane Hoyt Axon, was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. Ellen was the oldest of four children born to the couple. Her father served as a chaplain to the Georgia Infantry during the Civil War, leading to an extended absence from home. In 1866, the family moved to Rome, Georgia, and Samuel Axon took over the pastoral duties at the First Presbyterian Church. Margaret Axon died giving birth to Ellen's only sister in 1881. Ellen was 21 years of age and took over household duties and the care of her two brothers (the baby was sent to her mother's sister to raise). Although Ellen had demonstrated real talent as an artist, her family responsibilities and finances limited her ability to paint and formally study art. Her father suffered from mental illness and deteriorated steadily after her mother's death...