The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-07-02
CIeveland's Early Struggles.


Grover Cleveland was born at Cald-
we'll, Essex county, N. j., March IS,
1887. AS country boy, he left home
when 16 years of age, charged not
only with the necessity of making his
own way in the world, but with the
responsibility Of providing for his
mother and sisters. He fought the
battle sturdily and not only won, but
achieved the highest honors that can
come to an American.
His father was a Presbyterian min
lister. The son was christened Steph-
en- Grover, in honor of Rev. Stephen
Grover, who had preceded Rev. Mr..
Cleveland in the pastorate of the lit
tie church at Caldwell. In even the
earliest childhood of the boy, however,
the parents omitted the name
Stephen and addressed him always as
Grover. The son always signed his
name as Grover Cleveland.
In 1S41 the family removed to Fay
etteville, n. Y. They lived afterward
at Clinton and Holland Patent. Grover,
while he attended school, served in
his spare hours as clerk in a country
store.
His father died in 1858. His money,
It was found. had been expended for
the education of his children. 1t de-
volved upon Grover, then 16 years of
age to qualify as a contributing men,
ber of his family. Through his broth
er, who was connected with the New
York institution for the blind, he Sc
cured appointment there as assistant
teacher.
Attracted by Law Career.
Two years gave him enough Of
.eaching He was ambitious to be-
come lawyer and to work in a field
that offered more advantages than
could be found in the east The city
of his choice was Cleveland, Ohio. All
of his spare earnings having been sent
to his mother, he required borrowed
capital to get his start in the world.
The amount of this capital was $50
and the friend who gave it to him was
an old man who had been a deacon
in his fathers church. The lenders
security was a note signed by the boy.
That it was sufficient was proved two
years later when he received a remit
tance covering the amount of the loan
w:th interest.
Grover started in 1856 for Cleveland
b. way of the Erie canal. He stopped
over for a day at Buffalo to visit a
rich uncle, Lewis F. Allen. The lat
ter prevailed upon the youthful pill
grim to make his home in Buffalo He
provided Grover with six weeks work
at $40 a week to assist in the compila-
tion Of herd book and secured for
him a place in the office of promin-
ent law firm. AS law clerk he re-
ceived 81 a week.
In 1859 Cleveland was admitted to
the bar. He remained in the service
of the law firm as managing clerk, in
view OF which dignity and honor his
stipend was increased to $40 a week.
On January l, 1853, he was appoint
ed assistant district attorney of Erie
county. He allowed himself the bare
necessities Of life. Every surplus dol
lar was sent to his mother and sisters.
At this time he was drafted for serv-
ice in the union army. He borrowed
money and sent a substitute to the
war Much was made of this fact
in the political campaigns of later
lays. Friends Of Cleveland replied
that his action was in accordance with
the custom of those days, when some
members of a family went to war,
while others remained to care for the
dependent ones. Two Of Cleveland's
brothers were in the army.
Entrance Into Politics.
In 1865 Cleveland was nominated for
district attorney. He began the prac-