They couldn’t vote, but women still had influence in the 19th century presidential elections.

BillJones

Women did not get the right to vote in all states in presidential elections until 1920, but they still had influence as evidenced by these mid 19th century campaign items. In 1856 a potential first lady was noticed on this John C. Fremont token. "Jessie's Choice" refers to Jessie Benton Fremont who was married to the first Republican presidential candidate. Her father was the powerful Missouri senator, Thomas Hart Benton. Fremont probably didn't get his father-in-law's vote since he was a retired leader in the Democratic Party.

During the Civil War, Jessie Fremont would have a heated confrontation with Abraham Lincoln over her husband's policy of freeing Missouri slaves early in the war. Politically it was dangerous step that Lincoln did not want take because Kentucky and Tennessee were still flirting with joining the Confederacy.

Here is a lady's ferrotype badge for Constitutional Union Party candidate, John Bell. Bell ran as a moderate southerner in the 1860 presidential election. Small badges like this, which had a velvet frame around the pictures, were issued for all four presidential candidates. I would love to find the other three pieces, but they have either been too expensive or had condition problems.

Finally here is a rare ferrotype that I purchased at the FUN show. it shows Stephen Douglas and his wife, Adele. This is a small piece that a lady could have worn on her dress. This was the first of many campaign pictures that feature a picture of the candidate's wife.

oldabeintx

Another interesting post. Thanks, Bill.

ricko

That is interesting Bill..... especially the one with Douglas and his wife.... I do not recall seeing such pictures of candidates with wives in those times. Cheers, RickO

Timbuk3

Wow, very interesting, thank you all for posting !!!

Broadstruck

Yep they have come a long way as just this week a woman grabbed the President by they kitty cat twice

breakdown

Always enjoy these posts, Bill. Must have been interesting when the Fremonts went to her parents' house for dinner.

AUandAG

When you have a stunning wife like that one, you show her off!!

bob

OldEastside

Love that Fremont token, Good Read Bill

Steve

kaz

Thanks for another look at your political exonumia and for the historical background, Bill!

BillJones

Adele was Stephen Douglas' second marriage. His first wife died in childbirth. Adele was much younger than Douglas, and she was very popular in Washington society. She held lavish parties in Washington, which undoubtedly helped Douglas' political career.

SaorAlba

I really enjoy reading a post that inspires me to research the subject more. Of course we(those who research history) know about Stephen Douglas, but wow his wife is fascinating also.

It is well known that Douglas and Lincoln debated and ran against each other in the 1860 election, what is not so well known is that Douglas was an ardent Unionist Democrat who supported the Union right to the end of his life in June 1861.

TwoSides2aCoin

Bookmarked for later.