- Joined
- Jul 29, 2013
Ulysses S. Grant first came to Missouri in 1843 when he was assigned to the 4th Infantry at Jefferson Barracks, south of St. Louis. Invited by his former roommate, Frederick Dent, to visit his family’s farm, White Haven, Grant soon became enamored with Dent’s sister, Julia. After serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War, Grant returned to White Haven to marry Julia.
Grant served six more years in the United States Army before leaving to be closer to his growing family. For almost six years he worked on his father-in-law’s farm at White Haven. He later said he would have been content to live out his days as “an old Missouri farmer,” but national events altered his plans. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Grant’s sense of duty called him back into military service where he proved to be a brilliant battlefield strategist. In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Commanding General of the U.S. Army. In just over a year, Federal forces secured the surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House.
Throughout their lives together, White Haven proved to be a focal point for Ulysses and Julia. Although financial and political circumstances took them away for over a decade, they still considered it their family home. Grant looked forward to a relaxing retirement at White Haven following his second term as president. Family interests and failed business deals lead him to relinquish the property shortly before his death in 1885.
Grant served six more years in the United States Army before leaving to be closer to his growing family. For almost six years he worked on his father-in-law’s farm at White Haven. He later said he would have been content to live out his days as “an old Missouri farmer,” but national events altered his plans. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Grant’s sense of duty called him back into military service where he proved to be a brilliant battlefield strategist. In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Commanding General of the U.S. Army. In just over a year, Federal forces secured the surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House.
Throughout their lives together, White Haven proved to be a focal point for Ulysses and Julia. Although financial and political circumstances took them away for over a decade, they still considered it their family home. Grant looked forward to a relaxing retirement at White Haven following his second term as president. Family interests and failed business deals lead him to relinquish the property shortly before his death in 1885.