New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-09
TIL. Illness of CGiOneI Denf.

correspondent OF tle New York III.
jUHe, writing from Long Branch under date
OF August l, says that Mr. Dent. the father
OF Mrs. Grant, has been dangerously i'll al
the cottage of the President for several
days past, and. although lie is somewhat
better today. il is evident to the family
and the physicians that he can not long
survive. Al interval. during the past sew
eral wears Mr.. Dent has suffered from q
complication OF asthma ana dropsy. and
tor Gays at time he has been unable to lie
down. His ailments seem to be the result
OF Old age and the general decay OF body
rather than any Inherent disease. He Is
now eighty-seven years OF age and unuslI
ally we'll preserved in all his mental tacui-
ties. His son-in-law. Mr.. Casey. of New
Orleans. watched with him on Wednesday
night, and the President was summoned
home yesterday IN consequence Of the Sc
we're character Of the attack. and during
last night gave many hours attention
to the invalid. Mr.. Dents lie has been
a remarkable one. and he has been a CON
spicuous character. He was born in Man
chesland. Maryland. in 1885. ten years aftel
the signing Of the Declaration OF Indepeu-
dence, and was the first white child born in
that town. He probably has a better
knowledge of the old families in the United
States than any man living, as his acluain-
tance was more extensive. He was Goer
chant by occupation. and twice every year.
while ke was in Pittsbury or ST. Louis.
MADE an extensive tour of collection. and
thus made his large acGua;nta ncesllip with
the people OF the country. lie was married
in P.ttsbury to Miss Wrenshaw. tie daugh-
ter OF a Methodist preacher, who during her
life was honored and loved BY all. She died
in 1851. having been the mother OF nine
children. seven OF whom are still living. as
follows: John Dent, now IL New Mexico:
George w. Dent. San Francisco: Frederick
I. Dent, of the regular army. now with his
command az New London; Loui. Dent.
Washington: Mrs. Grant. wife OF the Pres:-
dent: Mrs. Sharp, wife OF the United States
marshal for the District of Columbia. and
Mrs. Casey, the youngest, OF New Orleans.
Mr.. Dent was always very rigid and az
gressive Democrat. taking his political
ncurlshmant from the Tom Barton Jackson
school. He has not now. aud never has
had. any sympathy with the Republican
party. and has frequently assailed the
President for his radIcaiis,a. Since his SON
ln-law became general ot the armies. Mr..
Dent has been mem Der CT lis household.
whether in Nashinst ton or here. He never
made any cOncealmenc Of his politics. and
it was common habit with him in good
natured way. TO abuse the Republican Sen
atocs and members who called on the Pres.
dent in Washington. His was a familiar
face in the lobbies OF the executive mansion.
AMI he did much to relieve the tedium OF
those who were compelled to wal. to see
the President. Although sometimes petu-
lent, he was generally much respected by
those who had tre!uen: occasion to yisi.
the White House.
Between Mrs. Grant and ner father there
have always existed the waimest and ten.
derest ties. He has been her companion
Oftener than any other II her drives in
Washing gton and here.
In 1918. after mis- marriage. 81. Dent re.
turned to st. Louis. where he accumulated
considerable property. and where he con-
tinued to live until he took up his abode
with General Grant.