Presidential Years:

U.S. Grant was elected for two terms of Presidency. He was the 18th President. He was 46 years old when he was elected.

He was selected to run for President by the Republicans in 1868. He did not really like politics and he did not campaign very much. He admitted that he had no political experience. He promised not to be ruled by professional politicians. He was elected because they needed a hero. He easily defeated Horatio Seymour, the Democratic candidate. In the electoral college, he won 214 votes to 80. In the popular vote he was 53% to 47%.

His vice president was Schuyler Colfax from 1868 to 1873.

Grant tried to run the government as a military operation. He was very honest and found it hard to believe when others betray him. He put his friends in government positions. But he was frequently mislead by them. Grant tried to maintain the rights of the blacks in the South. He used federal troops to protect blacks from the Ku Klux Klan and other white groups. These groups were trying to stop blacks from voting. His administration worked to bring the North and South together. He had to deal with an after war depression. He had to help rebuild the South. He helped persuade Congress to pardon many former Confederate leaders. He did not believe in humiliating them as many others did at the time.

Grant's Second Term

He ran for office again in 1872. He was nominated in Philadelphia. He ran against Horace Greeley and was reelected. His vice president this time was Henry Wilson. He was elected by a greater majority of the popular vote than in the first election. Grant won 286 electoral votes to 3 for Greeley.

He had financial problems during his second term. His own brother started his financial problems.

After the Presidency

Retirement:

Grant and his family traveled Europe and Asia for 2 years after he retired. He gave $100,000 to his son to start a company.

He worked very hard to write his memoirs to provide support for his family. He died of throat cancer from smoking on July 23rd, 1885 in Mount McGregor, NY.

His memoirs called "Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant" were a great success and earned his family over $500,000.

Grant's Tomb

Grant's tomb was built in Riverside Drive, New York City, NY. Over 90,000 people gave money donations to build the building. His wife, Julia, is also resting there. You can visit his tomb.

If someone asks you who is buried in Grant's tomb, tell them no one. Their coffins are entombed not buried.