The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-03-05

cr WAS born rich, and was man of
education but he died poor. His
children were born poor, but all &C /
quired 8 comfortable competency.
was born in Westmorelandl
county, Pennsylvania, January %,
1894. When I was five years of
age, | was taken by my father, who
emigrated with his family, to that
part or the north western territory
which is now Coiumbiana county,
Ohio. When / was ten years of
age, we moved to Portage county,
in the Western Reserve. At six
teen, l was regularly apprcnticed to
my half brother, to learn the tan
ming business, at Maysville, Ken
lucky. l faithfully served out my
apprenticeship; and, soon after !
became Of age, set up for myself, at
Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio.
Here l suffered a severe and pro
tracted illness from fever and ague,
which finally compelled me to re-
linqtish business. The savings of
four years were consumed by the
expenses otthis sickness. In 1920,
| settled temporarily at a small
place called Point Pleasant, situated
directly on the Ohio river, twenty
five miles above Cincinnati; and, in
June 1920, I Was married to Miss
Hannah Simpson, and commenced
housekeeping at that place. EIs
Here, on the 9th day of April.
1866, our first child, ULYSSES S.
GRANT, was horn. The house in
which this event occurred is still
standing.
Five other chillren-three daugll-
tiers, and two sons-were subse-
quently added to our family-one
son and one daughter, both grown
and both single, died of consump
ton, during the late war. Sc"
Industry, frugality and perseve-
rance made me fortunate in bust
ness and enabled me to accumulate
a competency for myself and my
family. In 1854, at the age of sixty
measurably retired that is, I with
drew from the direct personal super
vision Of my business. 'a3g5H
My sons, Simpson Grant-since
deceased-and Oryil 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 repu-
tation ofmaking the very best of
leathur-we tanned with nothing
but oak, and that made it superior.
About two years ago, I had made
up my mind that ! should enjoy
more seeing the principal part OF
my property in the possession OF
my children than 1 should keeping
it in my own. General Grant said lie
had done nothing towards making
it, and he did not want any of it.
The Government had provided fol
him so we'll that I acquiesced in his
view. My son Orvil, who is in bus
mess in Chicago, received the lar.
ger share; and my daughters go1
about twenty FIVE thousand dollars
apiece. kept enough for myself
My early opportunities for edu.
cation were extremely limited.
never went to school but about five
months in my life, though took les
sons in English grammar for fou
weeks after | was married.
I have taken a pretty active in
terest, generally. in the politica
questions Of the day though not t.
the neglect of my private affairs. ]
wrote the Platform which was adop
ted at the last Wing State conven
ton that ever assembled at Colum
bus, and played a part in the frs
election of Salmon 2. Chase as Gov
, ernor Of Ohio. ,s..s..
| was never what was technically
known as an Abolitionist; but
never held q slave. I made up m,
T mind, when I was young man
that / would never have slaves
This was the reason that I left Ken
tuclIy and went TO Ohio. l woul,
not own slaves, and I would not liv,
where there were slaves and no
own them. - stt ea -.-
I voted for General Jackson fo
President every time he was can
didate--that is, three times
Very respectfully, yours,