Courtesy of the California State Library
Mollie Low
1863–1867
Significant Facts
Born: January 17, 1840 in Lancaster, Ohio
Died: October 1, 1910
Married: Frederick Low on December 22, 1857
Maiden Name: Creed
Family
Father: George Creed
Mother: Elizabeth Clement
Husband: Frederick Low
Children: Flora
Find out more about the time period and interests of Mollie Low
Biography
Mollie Creed joined her aunt, Jane (Creed) and Uncle John C. Hall in Marysville in 1856. It was during this time that Mollie met Frederick Low. The couple married on December 22, 1857 and had one daughter. The Lows were the second family to use the Stanford Mansion as the Governor’s residence. Mollie was described as a striking woman because her hair had turned white at an early age and contrasted with her youthful face. As First Lady, her sense of fashion was often reported on in newspaper society columns. A young Mark Twain wrote a detailed description of the dress Mollie wore to the Lick House Ball held on September 27, 1863. After leaving office, Fredrick Low was appointed minister to China. The Low family sailed to China in February 1870. They lived in China for four years, returning to reside in San Francisco in 1874. Mollie became an important part of San Francisco society and spent the rest of her life there. Mollie Low died on October 1, 1910. She is buried at the Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, California.
Bibliography
Books
- Cook and LaDue, The First Ladies of California, Xlibris Corporation, 2007
- Levering, John. The Levering Family History and Genealogy. Levering Historical Assoc., 1897
- Twain, "The Lick House Ball," Early Tales & Sketches, Volume 1 (1851-1864), University of California Press. 1979
