Ulysses S. Grant

President and General Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio. His birth name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, but he was known as Ulysses.
An error in his appointment for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point gave him the name by which he is now known.
Grant attended West Point from 1839-1843. He graduated in the middle of his class. He excelled in math and set many records in horsemanship.

Ulysses served in the Mexican-American War from 1846-1848 as regimental quartermaster with the rank of captain. It was during this time he learned a great deal about commanding an army from close observation of colonels and generals, particularly Zachary Taylor.

He married Julia Boggs Dent August 22, 1848 in Julia’s hometown of St. Louis. They had four children. She traveled with Grant to military posts in Michigan and New York, however, she returned home to St. Louis when Grant was sent to the Pacific Coast in 1852. He was promoted to full captain in 1854, but resigned from the army on July 31, 1854 to return to his family in St. Louis.

Grant became a farmer, but his health deteriorated and he was no longer physically able to farm. He then got involved in real estate with a partner, but the business couldn't support 2 families, so he gave the business to his partner.

Two of Ulysses brothers worked for their father at J.R. Grant Leather in Galena at 145 Main Street. Samuel was in charge and also serviced the three Satellite locations upriver. Orville worked in the Galena store. By 1860 Samuel was dying of tuberculosis. Jesse invited Ulysses to come and partner with them. In April 1860, Grant moved to Galena with his wife and four children to help. They rented a new brick home at 121 High Street.

Ulysses took over Samuel's job on the road. During the times when Ulysses was in the shop, he would try to stay out of the way by working in the back room. If a customer asked for help he would ask them to wait until a clerk was available. When he tried to help, even if he could find the requested item, he had no idea of its price. Grant was not a clerk.

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Grant helped Chetlain with The Jo Daviess Guard. He drilled the volunteers and designed uniforms for them. In Springfield, Grant helped form the Illinois Volunteers. In May he served as the Illinois Mustering Officer. Governor Yates appointed Grant Colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers on June 15, 1861. In August 1861 Grant was promoted to General.

Grant gathered the Army of the Tennessee in Cairo, IL. In 1862 he led them south. After the surrender of Fort Donelson Grant was promoted to Major General on Feb. 16, 1862. That was the first decisive Union Victory in the war.

Grant split the south with the capture of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. He was made General of the Western Armies.
After Grant’s victory at the Battle of Chattanooga, Lincoln promoted him to Lieutenant General, which was authorized by congress on March 2, 1864. Grant received the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on April 9, 1865.
In August of 1865 Grant returned briefly to Galena, where he was presented a fine brick house on Bouthillier Street as a token of appreciation from Republicans.

On July 25, 1866, Congress authorized the creation of the new rank of General of the Army of the United States; (4 stars) Grant was appointed this position by President Andrew Johnson on the same day. Running as a Republican and riding his popularity, Grant was elected 18th President of the United States in 1868 and was re-elected in 1872. During his presidency, the Grant family visited Galena periodically, their last visit in 1883. After his second term, Grant and his wife spent two years – 1877 to 1879 - traveling the world.

In late 1884 Grant was diagnosed with throat cancer. He began to write his memoirs, encouraged by his friend Mark Twain. On June 16, 1885 Grant moved his family to Mt. McGregor, New York, in an effort to improve his health. Just four days before his death, Grant finished his memoirs.
Grant died on July 23, 1885 at the age of 63. He is interred in the General Grant National Monument in New York City.