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Grant, Ulysses Simpson

eighteenth president of the United States, was born April 27, 1822, in Clermont county , Ohio. He graduated at the Military academy at West Point in 1843, and entered the United States regular army as a brevet second lieutenant.

He was afterward promoted to captain, and served in the Mexican war under Generals Scott and Taylor. He participated in the battles of Palo Alto, Monterey, Vera Cruz and Molino del Rey. At the close of the war Grant's company was sent to Oregon. In 1848 he married Miss Julia T. Dent. In 1854 he resigned his connection with the army, and settled near St. Louis. In 1859 he moved to Galena, Ill., and engaged in the leather trade until the breaking out of the rebellion. He then entered the union army as colonel, and distinguished himself at the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Richmond and others.

He was promoted from time to time, until February, 1864, when he received the commission of lieutenant-general from President Lincoln's own hand, and continued in the field until he received the sword which General Robert Edward Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. The republican national convention met at Chicago May 21, 1868.

On the first ballot Grant was unanimously nominated for president, with Schuyler Colfax for vice-president. Being duly elected, they were inaugurated March 4, 1869. At the republican national convention held in Philadelphia June 5, 1872, President Grant was renominated by acclamation. Henry Wilson was nominated for vice-president. Being elected, they took the oath of office March 4, 1873.

He completed his term of eight years as president March 4, 1877. On May 17 he left Philadelphia for a tour around the world, and landed in San Francisco Sept. 20, 1879. In the republican national convention in 1880 his name was presented as a candidate for president, and he received from 302 to 313 votes during the thirty-six ballots taken. He removed to New York city in 1881. Just previous to his death he wrote his memoirs, which were published in two volumes, and brought a large fortune to his widow.

He completed this last work of his life but four days before his death, which occurred July 23, 1885, on Mount McGregor, near Saratoga, N. Y. He was the author of Report of the Armies of the United States; and Personal Memoirs.