Frances Emily Schmidt was born in Anaheim on February 17, 1863, the third child of Theodore Schmidt and Clementine Zimmerman. The Schmidt’s were one of fifty founding families of the Anaheim Colony in 1857. With two brothers and two sisters, Frances grew up among Anaheim’s vineyards and wineries. After attending public school in Anaheim, at the age of twelve she was sent to finish her education at a convent in Freiburg, Germany. Following her return, she met James Hovey Bullard when he set up his medical practice in 1884. In August 1891, Frances joined her father in New York City for a visit that lasted over two years. In August 1893, Dr. Bullard traveled east to see the World’s Fair in Chicago and to visit relatives in Boston, Massachusetts. During this trip, the couple reunited in New York City and on September 26, 1893 Frances Schmidt and Dr. Bullard were married, returning to Anaheim two months later. The couple settled into their home at 115 North Hermine Street (now Claudina Street), and Dr. Bullard continued his successful medical practice.