Courtesy of A. K. Smiley Library
Fannie Gage
1899–1903
Significant Facts
Born: August 3, 1863 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Died: June 16, 1951
Married: Henry T. Gage on July 15, 1880
Maiden Name: Rains
Family
Father: John Rains
Mother: Maria Merced Williams
Husband: Henry T. Gage
Children: Fanita, Lucilla, Francis, Volney and Arthur
Find out more about the time period and interests of Fannie Gage
Biography
Francisca "Fannie" Rains' life began in tragedy. Nine months before her birth, her father, John Rains, was murdered while traveling to Los Angeles. Fannie and her four siblings were raised by their mother, Maria Rains. To ensure a proper education for her children, Maria reportedly helped start the first school in Rancho Cucamonga in 1870. Fannie married Henry T. Gage on July 15, 1880. They had six children, all of whom were born on the family ranch in Downey, California. In May of 1901, when Fannie was First Lady, she and Henry officially welcomed President and Mrs. William McKinley, upon the beginning of the President's tour of California. Little else is known about Fannie's activities as First Lady or her life after Henry Gage left office. Fannie Gage died in 1951.
Bibliography
Books and Articles
- Black, Rancho Cucamonga and Doña Merced, Rubidoux Printing Company, 1975
- Cook and LaDue, The First Ladies of California, Xlibris Corporation, 2007
- "From Southland Adobe to the State Capitol," Los Angeles Times, February 25, 2001
Websites
