"Ulysses and Julia Grant's Missouri Love Story" | Reviewed by Bill Schwab

In the 1840s, Ulysses S. Grant, an anti-slavery soldier from Ohio, fell in love with Julia Dent, the daughter of a Missouri farmer who owned 30 enslaved people. Grant left Ohio to attend the US Military Academy, graduating in 1843. After graduation, he was sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis.

Ulysses shared a room with Fred Dent, who introduced him to his sister Julia, and it was love at first sight. Ulysses and Julia spent most of the pre-Civil War years courting at White Haven, an 850-acre estate, home to the large Dent family and their enslaved African Americans. The enslaved people worked the orchards and fields, cared for the livestock, and cooked for the family, including Grant.

In contrast, Grant's Ohio family was anti-slavery. In Ohio, a free state, it was illegal to buy and sell enslaved people. Mr. Grant taught his son that slavery was morally wrong.

In 1844, Grant left St. Louis to fight in the US-Mexican War. Upon his return in 1848, he married Julia. Mr. Dent gave the newlyweds 80 acres of White Haven as a wedding gift. Ulysses soon left White Haven to spend six more years in the army, then, missing his family, resigned to be with his wife and two children in Missouri.

Grant worked hard to support his family, often earning money by cutting timber for firewood to pay off his debts. He owned one enslaved person, whom he freed in 1859.

When the Civil War began, Grant reentered the service and re-enlisted as a Union officer. By the end of the war, he had risen through the ranks to become a Lieutenant General. In 1868, Ulysses Grant ran for President and won. During his administration, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, which protected the right of Black men to vote.

The Grants wanted to retire to White Haven, but never did. The former President and Julia lived in the District of Columbia and New York City. They traveled the world, visiting White Haven about once a year. In 1884, ownership of White Haven was transferred to a new owner to pay off a loan. The new owner divided the estate and sold lots primarily for single-family homes.

Ten acres of the former estate were designated as a unit of the National Park Service in 1989.  Today, the public is welcome to visit the home of the 18th President and learn about all who lived there. White Haven is located across the street from the entrance to Grant's Farm.

Local authors Vicki Bergen Erwin and James W. Erwin have written a compelling story of the complex relationship between Julia and Ulysses. It is truly a covenantal love story of two people who lived together in both easy and difficult times. "Love Story" is a poignant, enjoyable, quick read that should be especially interesting to people in the St. Louis region.

The Erwins will make a book presentation and sign copies of their book at Washington Public Library this Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. The free event is open to the public and is being sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Neighborhood Reads.

Just a few other books written by the Erwins on Missouri history include Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River, A History Lover's Guide to St. Louis and Notorious Missouri: 200 Years of Historic Crimes.

Buy their NEW Book!