Grover Cleveland

Stephen Grover Cleveland was born on March 18, 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey. He was the fifth of nine children in a family of modest means. His father, Richard Falley Cleveland, was a Presbyterian minister, and his mother, Ann Neal Cleveland, was the daughter of a bookseller. Cleveland was named after the first minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell, where his father served.

On November 4, 1884, Grover Cleveland was elected as the 22nd President of the United States, defeating the Republican candidate James G. Blaine. Cleveland's election marked the first time a Democrat had won the presidency since the Civil War, breaking a period of Republican dominance in American politics. His reputation for honesty and anti-corruption appealed to the electorate, earning him the nickname 'Grover the Good'.

On June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room of the White House. Cleveland was the second President to get married while in office, but his wedding has the distinction of being the only one held in the White House itself. Frances was 21 years old at the time of their marriage, which raised some eyebrows due to the 27-year age difference.

In the presidential election of November 6, 1888, Grover Cleveland lost his bid for re-election to the Republican candidate Benjamin Harrison, despite winning the popular vote. Cleveland's loss was due to losing in the Electoral College, specifically because he failed to secure the state of New York. His defeat was influenced by economic issues and the question of tariffs, which were a dominant issue at the time.

Grover Cleveland won the presidential election on November 8, 1892, making him the only U.S. President to serve two non-consecutive terms. He defeated the incumbent President Benjamin Harrison. This victory was partly due to public dissatisfaction with the McKinley Tariff and economic issues facing the country. Cleveland's second administration faced significant challenges, including the Panic of 1893.

On May 5, 1893, the Panic of 1893 began, which was one of the most severe economic depressions in the United States. During Grover Cleveland's second presidency, the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing set off a series of bank failures. Cleveland’s response was to support the gold standard, which alienated much of his Democratic base but he believed it was necessary to stabilize the economy.

In a secret operation conducted on June 30, 1893, President Grover Cleveland underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from the roof of his mouth. The operation took place on a yacht in Long Island Sound to avoid alarming the public during the financial panic. Surgeons successfully removed the tumor, and Cleveland recovered quietly, maintaining the secrecy of the operation for fear of causing further panic.

On June 22, 1894, the Pullman Strike began in the town of Pullman, Illinois, a nationwide railroad strike that developed into one of the largest confrontations between labor unions and the federal government. President Grover Cleveland intervened by sending federal troops to break the strike on the grounds that it was interfering with U.S. mail. This decision was controversial and had lasting impacts on labor policy.

Grover Cleveland left office for the second and final time on March 4, 1897. He retired to a life of relative obscurity, settling in Princeton, New Jersey. His second term had been marked by economic turmoil and contentious labor strikes. Despite his unpopularity with some factions, Cleveland was respected for his commitment to classical liberalism and maintaining the gold standard. He spent his retirement years involved in various civic activities.

Grover Cleveland died on June 24, 1908, at his home in Princeton, New Jersey. His health had been declining due to a series of heart attacks and gastrointestinal issues. His last words, 'I have tried so hard to do right,' reflect his reputation for honesty and integrity. Cleveland was buried in the Princeton Cemetery, and his death marked the end of a notable political career that included two non-consecutive terms as President of the United States.