Ulysses S. Grant

East Dubuque Local Area History Project

	by Cody S. 3/9/00
	Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio in 1822. He later married Julia Dent. He attended US Military Academy, West Point, New York from1839-1843. He ranked 21 out of 39. He graduated from West Point on July 1st, 1843. He then entered the army and served at posts such as Missouri and Louisiana. In 1845 he joined General Zachary Taylor in Texas. He was asked to serve in the Mexican War, and served in 1846-1848.

	Grant came to Galena in April 1860. He worked in his father’s leather store, located at 145 Main Street, while he lived in Galena. He was paid about $600 a year. Grant worked with his brothers Simpson and Orvil Grant greatly disliked wasting his time working as a leather store clerk. He rented a small brick house at 121 S. High Street. During the winter of 1860-61, he traveled for business purposes.

	A year after he arrived, in April 1861, Grant left for Springfield to train for the Civil War. He went to war, serving as a lieutenant. Later, he was promoted to General. He was one of nine generals from Galena, Illinois. He helped the union win. He came back to Galena and was treated better than ever. The city threw a parade for him when he returned. They also gave him many things such as the key to the city, and a home on the Westside of Galena which is now know as Grant’s Home. Grant and his family only lived here for a little while before he left again to become the president.

	Grant loved his family very much. He would always spend his evenings at home with his family. This was the time where most people hit their kids, he refused to hit them. He had four kids named Frederick, Ulysses S. Jr., Ellen, and Jesse. Grant pretty much let his children do whatever they wanted, except if it was something they weren’t allowed to do, or something that interfered with his duty. Fred, the oldest, was the most mature of the kids. Ulysses Jr., was the shyest one, and was quiet. Of all the children. Ulysses Jr. was the only one to succeed in business. Ellen, Grant’s only daughter, was the one Grant spent most of his time. She was fun-loving, and loved parties, dances, and attention. Jesse, Grant’s youngest. was the comedian of the family. Jesse was probably the closest to Grant. Jesse later wrote a book about his father and experiences with his father. The book was named In The Days Of My Father, General Grant .

	General Grant was elected the 18th president of the United States. He served his terms from March 4th, 1869 through March 4th, 1877. During this time, his whole family stayed in the White House. Eight years after the end of his term, he died at age 63.

	Grant was a good man, a good hero, and a good president. He deserves a lot of respect for what he has done for this country. He will never be forgotten.

	Bibliography Ulysses S. Grant Homepage, The [Online] Available http://www.mscomm.com/~ulysses/, 3/6/00. “Grant, Ulysses S(impson),” Microsoft Encarta 98. Microsoft Corporation, 1998. Photos Courtesy of Center for Dubuque History. Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa.