New Jersey might be a small state, but it is cram-packed with history from Revolutionary Battles and industrial feats to iconic cultural creations like The Sopranos and M&Ms. Many presidents have passed through the Garden State too, especially Essex County. Franklin Delano Roosevelt played golf at Essex County Country Club, Theodore Roosevelt spent time at the Dickinson House in Livingston, and George Washington passed through during the Revolution, but only one was born here. Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president of the United States was born in Caldwell and died in Princeton. Read on to learn all about Grover Cleveland, his presidency, and his life in New Jersey.
Grover’s Early Years in Caldwell
Stephen Grover Cleveland was born on March 18th, 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey to Ann (née Neal) and Richard Falley Cleveland. Naomi Baldwin and Mary DeCamp Shippen served as midwives in the birth of Grover. Naomi lived at 153 Mountain Avenue in present-day North Caldwell, a home that still stands today. To assist Ann, Naomi would have traveled about a mile southward to the Cleveland’s residence. Grover kept in touch with Mary’s daughter Lucretia, annually corresponding with her around his birthday, paying tribute to her mother. His father was minister of the First Presbyterian Church in town and the family lived at the Manse, where he was born. Today this Manse, located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue serves as The Grover Cleveland Birthplace State Historic Site. He was named Stephen Grover to honor the first pastor of the church.
Read More: The History Behind Essex County Town Names
Life Beyond New Jersey
In 1841, the family moved to Fayetteville, New York and in 1850 they moved eastward to Clinton. Grover was educated at Fayetteville Academy and the Clinton Grammar School and also had a mercantile apprenticeship. When his father passed away in 1853, he left school to help support his family. Eventually, his uncle and cousin Lewis F. Allen gave him a clerical job in Buffalo which introduced him to influential men like the law firm of Rogers, Bowen, and Rogers. Millard Fillmore, the 13th American president, had previously worked with them. Grover later took a clerkship with the firm, began reading law, and in 1859 was admitted to the New York Bar. In time Grover left the firm to start his own. By 1863 he was appointed district attorney of Erie County.
Politics + the Presidency
In 1865, he ran for District Attorney of Erie County, but lost to his friend, Lyman K. Bass. Grover never stopped trying and in 1870, with the help of his friend Oscar Folsom, Grover secured the Democratic nomination for sheriff of Erie County. In 1881, he was elected as Mayor of Buffalo and the following year, he was elected as Governor of New York. In 1884, Grover was elected to the highest seat of government in the country, the President. In 1888 he lost reelection but won again in 1892, becoming the only president to date who has served two nonconsecutive terms.
As both the 22nd and 24th president, Grover’s career witnessed crucial moments in American history. As President, his terms saw the passing of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Dawes Act, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the opening of the World’s Columbian Exposition, the Pullman Strike, and the Panic of 1893.
Family + Death
In 1886, Grover married Frances Foldom, the daughter of his friend Oscar Folsom, in the Blue Room at the White House. He became the second president to wed in office and Frances became the youngest First Lady in history. The couple had five children: Ruth, Esther, Marion, Richard, and Francis. Ruth passed away at 12 years old and the Curtiss Candy Company asserts that the “Baby Ruth” candy bar was named after her.
After serving as president, Grover retired to Princeton, New Jersey. On June 24th, 1908, he died from heart failure. His funeral was held two days later and he was buried at Princeton Cemetery.
See More: Presidents Who Have Visited Hoboken + Jersey City
Cleveland’s Impact on Caldwell Today
The Grover Cleveland Birthplace State Historic Site, located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell operates as the only museum dedicated to President Grover Cleveland. The middle school for Caldwell and West Caldwell residents is named for Grover as well. Caldwell’s town park, also named after Grover, is a gorgeous walkable space with a playground, pond, tennis courts, and picnic area.
