Top 5 poorest presidents in American history? 5. Zachary Taylor. Taylor was the 12th president of the United States. He was a career military officer who never accumulated much wealth. 4. William McKinley. McKinley was the 25th president of the United States. However, he lost most of his money in the panic of 1893. 3. Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was the 18th president of the United States. He was a war hero, however, he was not good with money and went bankrupt after his presidency. 2. James A. Garfield. Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, serving from 1881 until his assassination. He was born into a poor family in Ohio. 1. Harry S. Truman. He was the 33rd president of the United States. He was born into a poor family in Missouri and never accumulated much wealth.