Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-12
General Grant-.-A Chapter of Personal


History.
Prom the Norwich Conn., Bulletin.
1t has been mentioned at various times in
the newspapers that the family of General
Grant was of Connecticut origin, but very
little definite information has been given on
the subject. We have obtained few facts
in relation to this matter, as well as some in
formation concerning the early life of the
General, which we think will be of interest
The facts are derived from the best author
ity, and may be relied upon.
1t is understood that the family descended
from Noah Grant, who came over from
Scotland at some very early period and
settled in Connecticut but the authentic re-
cord begins with Captain Noah Grant who
must have lived in the neighborhood of
Coventry. He entered the United States
service as a captain in 1855, and was killed
in battle ON the Doth of September, 1856.
He was the great grandfather of General
Grant. His son, Noah Grant, was born at
Windsor, July 4, 1744.
lie served through most of the revolution
airy war, rising TO the rank of captain. He
lived for a time in New London county, it is
believed, but he is known TO have resided in
Coventry. After the death of his first wife,
he emigrated from that place to Western
Pennsylvania, where he married again. The
father of General Grant was born of this
marriage, in January, 1874, in Westmore-
land county. He was named jesse Root
Grant, after Jesse Root of Connecticut, with
whom his father claimed some sort of rela-
tionship. The family moved to Ohio in
1910. At that time schools were almost en-
tirely unknown in that country and the only
education Jesse Root Grant obtained was
derived from few months schooling when
he was about fifteen years of age. His father,
although tolerably well educated himself
took no interest in instructing his children,
and as the family was poor they could not
afford to seek abroad for the advantages
which they lacked at home. Young Grant
had matter of fact turn of mind, and see
ing that he was destined 70 obtain his living
by the sweat of his brow, he cast about for
some renumerative employment. He finally |
selected the tanning business. In 1920 he !
removed to Point Pleasant a small village |
twenty-five miles from Cincinnati. Here |
he became acquainted with his future wife.
Miss Hannah Simpson was born in No |
vember, 1898, in Montgomery county, Penn |
sylvania, where she was brought up and |
educated, In 1918, she, with her flthers !
family, emigrated to Ohio and settled in |
Clement county. In june 1921, Mr.. Grant
and Miss Simpson married, and they settled |
at Point Pleasant. On the 9th Of April, |
their first child was born. As it was not |
unfrequently the case in such circumstances,
there was no little discussion on the subject
of naming the illustrious stranger. Finally, |
the following method was adopted of solving
the difficulty, The various names which |
aH MI in hnt,
shaken together, and it was agreed that the
name was Ulysses" and the future Lieu
tenant General was called Ulysses Simpson
Grant, receiving for his middle name the
maiden name of his mother This simple
but truthful statement of facts viii serve to
refute the various absurd stories which have
been floating about concerning the Generals
name.
About year after the birth of the gen.
eral, Mr.. Grant removed to Georgetown,
the county seat Of Brown county, where he
settled himself permanently in the tanning
business. Here five other children were
born to him, four of whom are still living.
Mr., Grant profitted by his own early expe-
rience and gave all his children good edu-
,ation. Indeed, he did rather more than
hat, for we find him writing to a friend that
asst spring he divided $4,000 among his
our children, leaving enough for the sup
BORT of himself and wife. He did not in
,lude the general in this division, as he
vas in the receipt Of a large salary from
he Government.
In very early life Ulysses showed a great
lptness for business, which he always exc
uted with promptness and energy. lie |
vas fond Of study and when he attended
chOol learned very rapidly, especially those
ranches that involved mathematics. In
lis manners he was quiet modest and I'M
ssuming, and it is related of him that his
layfellows always by universal consent, made
i'm their leader Great stories are told of his |
)ndness for horses and skill in managing
hem. Itis related that when quitea small boy
c took hold of a baulky team, the owner
f which, although an experienced driver,
ad been unable TO make them pull and in
very few minutes the horses started off as
they had been the freest pulling team in
he world. At II years of age Ulysse. be-
an to reflect upon his future career. and ex-
ressed to his father a desire to be educated,
lther than follow the tanning business.
Ir. Grant assented, and suggested West
oint, which fully met the bows wishes.
S there was not supposed to be a vacancy
the district at the time, Mr.. Grant wrote
Hon. Thomas L. Hamer, who represented
lie district, to inquire if Ulysses could not
admitted to fill some other vacancy. The
tier was received by Mr.. Hamer on the
W of his term, and it happened that the
strict had just become vacant by the fail
e of the cadet previously appointed. Mr.
amer therefore directed the appointment
Ulysses, who at once went to West Point,
ssed an examination, and was admitted
Diet. In 1913 he graduated, and was as
yl1ed to the 4th infantry as brevet second
Soon afterward the Mexican
II broke out, and lieutenant Grant served
rough the whole of it, being present at
cry battle except Buena Vista. L.