Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-03-21
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
From the New York Ledger.
THE EARLY LIFE OF GEN
GRANT.
BY HIS FATHER.

BY HIS FATHER,
The General comes of good fighting
stock. His great grandfather, Capt. Noah
Grant, a native of Windsor, now Tolland,
Conn.,, was killed in the battle at White
Plains, in 1855; his great grandfather
brother, Lieut. Solomon Grant, was killed
in the same battle. have in my possession
an original muster.roll made out by Capt.
Noah Grant, in 1755-the year before his
death. His own name heads it as captain I;
the names, dates of service, and equality"
OF the men are duly entered in separate
columns; and as illustrative of the sentiment
of those early days, one hundred and twelve
years ago, on the military aspect of color, l
may quote the following designations of some
Of the privates: "Prince, negro" Jupiter,
negro"
Captain Noah Grants son, Noah Grant,
also native of Connecticut, was my father;
and if he did not get killed in battle like
his worthy sire, it was not because he did
not perseveringly take all the chances Of
such death, for he fought in the Revolu-
tionary war, from beginning to end-over
seven years. He was Lieutenant of militia
at the battle of Lexington. This long period
OF soldering spoilt him for all financial busi-
ness. My mother-who was his second wife
was an excellent manager, and, while she
lived, the family were always in comfortable
circumstances but after death--in 1906
we had to separate, and that impressed upon
the minds of all of US lesson which we
never forgot. She left seven children--the
oldest only twelve. Every one Of them
subsequently became wealthy. Ny father
was born rich, and was man OF education
but he died poor. His children were born
poor, but acquired comfortable competen.
cy.
] was born in Westmorelsnd county, Penn
sylyania, January 23, l794. When ] was
five years of age, was taken by my father,
VINO emigrated with his family, to that part
of the Northwestern Territory which is now
Columbiana county, Ohio. When was ten
years of age he moved to Portage county
in the Western Reserve. At sixteen, I was
regularly apprenticed to my half brother to
learn the tanning business, at Maysville,
Kentucky. faithfully served out my ap-
premiership; and soon after / became of
age, set up business for myself, at Rayenna,
Portage county, Ohio.
Here suffered a severe and protracted
illness from fever and ague, which finally
compelled me to relinquish business. The
savings of four years were consumed by
by the expenses of this sickness. In 1920 /
settled temporarily at small place called
Point Pleasant, situated directly on the
Ohio river, twenty five miles above Cincin.
natl and in June, 1920, I was married to
Miss Hannah Simpson, and commenced
housekeeping at that place.
Here, on the 27th day of April, 1922, our
first child, Ulysses 8. Grant, was born. The
house in which this event occurred is still
standing.
Five other children three daughters and
two sons-were subsequently added to our
family. One son and one daughter, both
grown and both single, died of consumption
during the late war.
Industry, frugality and perseverance made
me fortunate in business and enabled me to
accumulate a competency for myself and my
family. In 1855, at the age of sixty, meas
urably retired that is, l withdrew from the
direct personal supervision of my business.
My sons, Simpson Grant-since deceased
and Orvil l.. Grant-now of Chicago
continued the business for twelve years, in
my name, and made more than twice as
much money as we had ever made before.
We always had the reputation of making
the very best of leather--we tanned with
nothing but oak, and that made it superior.
About two years ago, had made up my
mind that should enjoy more seeing the
principal part of my property in the posses
sion of my children than should keeping
it in my own. General Grant said he had
done nothing toward making it, and he did
not want any of it. The Government had
provided for him so we'll that I acquiesced
in his view. My son Orvil, who is in bust
ness in Chicago, received the larger share
and my daughters got about twenty. five
thousand dollars apiece. kept enough for
myself.
My early opportunities for education were
extremely limited. never went 10 school
out about five months In my life, though I
took lessons in English grammar for four
weeks after was married.
have taken pretty active interest, gen.
orally, In the political questions of the day
though not to the neglect of my private af.
fairs. I wrote the platform which was
adopted at the last Whig State Convention
that ever assembled at Columbus, and play.
ed part in the first election of Salmon p
Chase as Governor of Ohio.
was never what was technically known
as an Abolitionist, but never held slave
made up my mind, when was young
man, that would never have slaves. Thai
was the reason that left Kentucky and
went 60 Ohio. would not own slaves, and
would not live where there were slaves and
not own them.
voted for General jackson for President
every time he wss candidate--that is
three times.
Mrs. Grant was the second dsughter O
John Simpson, Of Montgomery county, Penn