Ulysses S. Grant
1869 - 1877
18th President
His mother, Hannah Simpson, was an Irish immigrant from Dergenagh, County Tyrone.
Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822. Grant was the first President born in Ohio.
Grant was a Methodist.
His given name was Hiram Ulysses Grant.
His appointment was in the name of Ulysses S. Grant. The Army never changed it's mind about U.S. Grant, so he finally began to use the patriotic name himself.
Grant was 5' 7" tall.
Ulysses S. Grant set a high jump record at West Point that lasted for more than 25 years.
Grant ran against the first woman to be nominated for President. Victoria Claflin Woodhall was nominated by the Equal Rights Party.
Ulysses Grant served in both Mexican War and US Civil War.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Cold Harbor, Va. 1864. Mathew Brady. Mathew Brady Collection.
National Archives and Records Administration
(Click for larger image.)
When the Illinois militia was camped near the Rio Grand beforetre the fighting in the Mexican war, they were board and decided to perform Othello. Grant was cast as the daughter of Brabanto.
Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for speeding while driving a horse and buggy in Washington, DC. He had to pay a fine of $20.00 and walk back to the White House.
He suffered from migraine headaches all his life. He wore false teeth and was very squeamish.
Grant was an alcoholic.
He owned a slave named William Jones, acquired from his father-in-law. At a time when he could have desperately used the money from the sale of Jones, Grant signed a document that gave his freedom.
Although Grant had 15 years in the regular military, his initial offer to serve in the Civil War was overlooked by the War Department. His letter was not found until after the war was over.
His favorite breakfast was a cucumber soaked in vinegar.
Grant had both a beard and a mustache.
President Lincoln called Grant "the quietest little man" he ever met.
He liked meat cooked well done. He didn't like the sight of blood.
Grant's Opponent in the election was Frank Blair. Blair's was "one of the most explicitly racist presidential campaigns in American History."
One of the worst was from the KuKlux Klan who used murder and arson against against the white Republicans.
He was the first President whose parents were both alive when he was inaugurated. Neither parent attended his inauguration.
Ulysses S. Grant established Yellowstone as the nation's first national park on March 1, 1872.
It was rumored that Grant smoked twenty cigars a day. (He died of cancer of the throat. (Esophagus)
Ulysses Grant didn't have a Vice President for part of his second-term. Vice President, Henry Wilson, died in office and was not replaced, leaving Grant without a VP for more than a year.
Colorado became a state during Grant's administration (1876). It is known as the Centennial State since it was formed 100 years after the U.S. was formed.
Ulysses Grant was elected to two terms 1868, 1872.
President Grant had two Vice Presidents and a period of time where he didn't have a Vice President.
- Schuyler Colfax (1869-1873)
- Henry Wilson (1873-1875)
- none (1875-1877)
A friend of Grant's once tried to get him to learn the increasingly popular game of golf. Finally, Grant consented to go as an observer. His friend, however, could not connect with the ball. Confused, Grant admitted that it did look like very good exercise but asked what the little white ball was for.
His children had two ponies while they lived in the White House. The ponies were named Reb and Billy Button. Ulysses had a Newfoundland named Faithful.
He was tone deaf and could not recognize any of the light airs of the time. Military music was especially annoying to him. He once told a reporter, "I only know two tunes. One of them is Yankee Doodle and the other isn't." Charles Guiteau, the Assain of Garfield, of had also stalked Grant. He was turned away from Grants office.
The transcontinental railroad was finished during his administration.
Grant earned $25,000 per year during his first term and $50,000 per year during his second term. (See Presidential Salaries for all Presidents.)
Grant wrote a best-paying books of its time and it is still high on the all-time list. His book was President Grant's Memoirs. Royalties were estimated to be $500,000. He never saw the book in print He died before it was published.
President Grant's picture is on the $50 bill.
Ulysses S. Grant died in Mount McGregor, New York on July 23, 1885. He was 63 years and 87 days. Yes, Grant is buried in Grant's Tomb in New York City beside his wife. It is the largest mausoleum in North America. So the answer to who is buried in Grant's Tomb, is Mr. and Mrs. Grant. President McKinley dedicated Grant's Tomb.
Quotes from Ulysses S. Grant
"I know only two tunes; one of them is "Yankee Doodle," and the other isn't." - Grant
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can and keep moving." - Grant
Grant commented on the Mexican War of 1848: "I do not think there was ever a more wicked war than that waged by the United States on Mexico. I thought so at the time., when I was only a youngster, only I had not the moral courage enough to resign."
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