St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-09-14
GENERAL GRANT BEFORE THE WAR.


-McAIUa;,'s Magazine.
GENERAL GRANT BEFORE THE WAR.
IA correspondents of the Tribune gives
the following account Of Gen. Grants posi-
ton before the rebellion, and Of the cir
cumstances under which he resumed the
profession of q soldier. The narrative af-
fords striking illustration of the working
of republican institutions, and AL example
for the encoura cement Of young men Of
humble birth and position
About fifteen years ago Gen. Grants
father established leather house At Gale
No, Ill.,, under The firm Of Collins 4 Co..
The leather was tanned al Covington, KY,
and sent to Galena. The firm did we'll.
and it is undersI ood made fortune. The
firm was dissolved, and son came on to
conduct he business, but in about Two
years he died Of consumption. He was
well liked, and was au excellent business
man.
Meanwhile, Ulysses Grant, having grad
uated at Wes; Point, went into the Mexican
war, where he distinguished himself in ev-
cry battle except one, when he was moi
present, Thai was fought ;thence he went
10 Oregon, and acted as Captain in the
Quartermaster Is Department.. Eleven years
since he resigned his commission, and went
TO St. LOUIS, where he had some interest
in piece Of land, and was .old he enga-
ged in hauling wood to market, himself
driving his own oxen.
On the dea'h Of his brother, his father
engaged him to come hither. and take
charge Of the store. Now l come to men,
lion things never before related. have
to tell !, hard story. Statements previ-
ously made abou, Gen. Grant will be b'own
away. Many young man. on reading
wha, follows will be encouraged. gather
my account from the mosl trustworthy
sources.
Capt. Grant, as he was called, ;ound :he
affairs Of the concern in great disorder, out
he went to work, and in three weeks. had
everything straight. There was one clerk
beside himself, and generally more or less
hired men. As this was the only estab-
(ishment of the kind in The place, the trade
Of which is large, there was much business
to do. Capt. Grant was moi remarkable as
salesman, but he was good to oversee and
to manage. Generally, he, bought the
hides as they were brought to the store il,
country wagons. He took them in him.
SELF That he might not dirty his clothes,
he had p short leather apron, which he al
ways wore. Those not acquainted mist o"k
him for the porter. In ;Iis way, here in
the city of Galena, he ioiled on for Two long
years. He was employed al. $40 month.
The intention on the part of his father was,
after n while, to establish him in the busi-
ness. but he was expected to live on $4Su
a year. TO do this, and to live in society,
is impossible. Everything must be cheap
and plain. Sometimes his wife had hired
girl, but usually she did her own work.
During these two years Capt. Grant made
very few acquaintances. There were plen.
iy of bosiness men on the street who Ii(
not know him. and who never heard hi:
name spoken. Ipresume it would be eas,
to number his associates on ones fingers
d l have heard business men say That they
never heard Of him till he was put in com
mand at Cairo. On his arrival here to-day
the vast majority of'he citizens Of Galen'
are able to recognize him only by. his por
traits and ye; this is the only home h
has. .} ..:.: 8. .~. -. -..
A few knew him intimately. Anon!
. these was II. II. Houghton, editor Of til
Galena .Gc*ette for over thirty years. Mr.
Houghton learned most of the Captain
from his father, and he came 10 admire an
respect him; in fact, he ha studied him
! Hon. E. 3, Washburn partly knew him
and became one OF the best friends he ha
on earth. @f'.' 81
Those Two years were years Of trial an
discouragement. In fact The Captain cam
= hither from St. Louis in a great degree dis
hearlened, still he would not give up. II
is described as u brsken-down man. Th'
2 anecdote is related: During the great de
probation in currency: Capt. Grant bong''
pork of the farmers to send on East 10 &c
New York exchange. One day some far
/ mers sold him their pork, they inquire
where they gel gold; they must have it t
pay taxes The clerk in the house woul
sell 1t for q certain figure Capt. Gran
said he believed this was too much he di
not know exactly what il ought to be, b.'
; he advised them to go to the bank and in
quire. Tbe result was that the farmer
saved $l2. Thai was the style Of the man
! At this, same time, Capt. Grant was draw
ing beyond his expenses, though this va