Lou’s Story

• Lou was born in Czarist Russia on February 12, 1861.

Lelia von Salome (later to be known as Lou) was born in Czarist Russia on February 12, 1861, the only daughter after four sons, of Gustav von Salome and his wife. Gustav was general to the Czar . . . . Gustav was fifty-eight when Lou was born. The Czar sent a telegram of congratulation. A picture of Lou with her father shows a pretty little girl in a white dress, seated with the imposing general with handlebar moustaches and military uniform. Lou and her family lived in the St. Petersburg castle. Lou recalls running and sliding on the marble floors.

The von Salomes were of German Huegenot descent. They lived in a German community and German was the language spoken in Lou’s home.