Grover Cleveland 1837-1908

Photo-left: Grover's painting in the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC

Grover Cleveland was cousin to my 4th great grandmother, Jerusha Cleveland Hawley. She died shortly after his second term in office.

Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908) was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897).

Grover Cleveland was the only Democrat elected to the Presidency in the era of Republican political domination between 1860 and 1912, after the American Civil War. His admirers praise him for his bedrock honesty, independence, integrity, and commitment to the principles of classical liberalism. As a leader of the Bourbon Democrats, he opposed imperialism, taxes, corruption, patronage, subsidies and inflationary policies.

Grover Cleveland entered the White House as a confirmed bachelor. His sister served as his First Lady. Cleveland enjoyed playing games with the press when it came to his romance, and continued to let the public wonder about his bride-to-be. He started a rumor that he was marrying Frances Folsom in New York. On June 2, 1886, at seven o’clock in the evening, Francis Folsom married President Cleveland in the Blue Room. Grover Cleveland was the second President married in office, and the only President married in the White House itself. When the wedding was over, Cleveland decided to play one final prank on the media. He sent two wedding guests into the presidential carriage, which the media followed. Cleveland and his new young bride were able to leave the White House at their leisure for their honeymoon. I have seen mentioned that John Phillip Sousa's band played at Grover and Francis Folsom's wedding in the White House.

On October 28, 1886, in New York Harbor, U.S. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, to commemorate the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence.

More about Grover Cleveland on CSPAN.org
For an in-depth look at Grover Cleveland's life and presidency watch CSPAN's 'Life Portrait of Grover Cleveland': http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/151466-1. Besides being the only non-consecutive two term president, Grover Cleveland was the only president to get married in the white house to which John Phillip Sousa did the music for the wedding (how cool is that?!). Also, later president Harry Truman remembered and was influenced by the Cleveland presidency, being just a boy when Grover ran for his second term.

Grover on Money
Grover is also on the $1000 bill, which is not in use today.
For more information on Grover Cleveland's politics visit:
White House.gov




Hangman of Buffalo
Grover was elected sheriff of Erie County, New York, before becoming president in which capacity he personally oversaw the hanging of condemned prisoners. With a reputation for honesty, Cleveland subsequently was elected Mayor of Buffalo in 1880, as a reform candidate, and Governor of New York two years later. He then secured the Democratic nomination for President in 1884, 1888 and 1892.


News Snippets from the New York Times
Files are PDF
Gov. Cleveland At Home
Mr. Cleveland's Victory