This is a biography of a woman I had never heard of, although I was familiar with her husband’s name. Nothing unusual there, especially since this woman lived in the late 19th century. And the reason I had heard of her husband is also the reason she was able to become wealthy and well-known.in her own right during her lifetime. Of course, this was mainly because after her husband’s death, since she took over his company. The woman was born Miriam Follin, but was known for most of her life as Mrs. Frank Leslie. Frank Leslie, of course, founded a publishing empire best known now for Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Magazine.
Miriam’s story is a genuine rags to riches tale. Her early life, including exactly who her mother was, is murky, and she worked hard to keep it that way. Miriam was married twice before she encountered Frank Leslie, and twice divorced before they married, which was almost unheard of at the time. At least, it wasn’t discussed, especially in the upper echelons of society, which is a place Miriam had set her sights on entering. Sadly for her, High Society, at least in the United States, was not interested in granting her entrée. She even tried to marry someone with a foreign title, but had trouble finding someone who really had a title!
Miriam was a study in contrasts. Despite her very humble beginnings, she made herself into the arbiter of fashion and manners. While suggesting to other women that they learn to make their way in the world without the help of a man, she was constantly seeking male companionship. While this book may not give you a complete impression of what Miriam was actually like, partially due to her trying to hide much of herself, you will get a thorough overview of what life was like around the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, both at the top and the bottom of the social ladder.
If this was your family, how would you research them? If one of your male ancestors owned a business, and predeceased his wife, she might have taken over the responsibilities, especially if there were no sons to take the helm. This might be hard to discover, because a woman might not have wanted to make a big deal about it. It may have been a case of just carrying on, in order to survive. Many farm wives may have fallen into this category, but you might find others as well. One way you might be able to tell if a wife has taken over is to check the husband’s death date with the last date you see the business listed in a local directory, if one is available. The timing of the sale of property would be another clue.