Young Florence Pullman

Florence was the first-born child and daughter of George and Harriet Pullman. She was born on August 11, 1868; almost a year and two months after her parents’ marriage. It has been said she was George Pullmans favorite child. He even named the Florence Hotel after her. Some newspaper accounts say she was asked to name the new Pullman cars, not sure if this is true, however. She was soon followed in the nursery a year later by Harriet “Hattie” Pullman.

Florence Pullman - 1869

She was educated at a school in Chicago run by a Mlle. Broussais. In a November 1881 letter to her Mother, Florence relates that she does not like the school this year.

“We have begun school and are quite busy with our studies. I do not like the school this year at all. Mlle Broussais has taken the scholars all out of Hattie’s room and put them in mine. So, it has made it very crowded and has left only 3 girls in Hattie’s room so that she has no classes at all.”

Apparently, Hattie was not one of the scholars.

Young Florence, age 4 - 1872

Florence was a born caretaker, levelheaded and organized. When Harriet Pullman was traveling, she was the sibling the others went to for guidance. She was the only one who had any control over the twins, George Jr. and Walter Sanger, who were born in 1875. They lovingly called her “Nonie” well into adulthood and always wrote about her with lots of love and admiration.

Florence Pullman - 1880

Florence’s letters are filled with telling her mother about going horseback riding with Papa. She took riding lessons in the Gallery. She also talks about taking her siblings and accompanying Papa to the train station when he left to go out east. Florence was what you would call sensible. She was organized and was able to influence others. George Pullman might have considered her as his successor if times were different.