VIENNA, Va, March 11, 2011 — Ulysses S. Grant, V, (b. Sept. 21, 1920-March 2, 2011), the last surviving great grandson of our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) died in his Battlefield, Missouri home, near to the Wilson Creek Battlefield.
The first known photo of Ulysses S. Grant
It is reported that Mr. Grant, V had suffered a stroke some time ago that he was never able to recover from. Mr. Grant, V was 91 years old.
An Escondido, California avocado grower, Mr. Grant, V., moved to Battlefield in his later years becoming the family historian inheriting numerous historical artifacts from his grandfather, Jesse Grant, President Grant’s youngest son
The home is said to be filled with various artifacts and souvenirs of his great grandfather. It is said to contain artifacts from his times serving in the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848) and as as a military general and Civil War hero as well as through his presidency.
As an adult, Grant V became a custodian to the items, including the late president’s letters, china, the flag that flew at Appartomax when Lee surrendered and his famous ancestor’s Last Will and Testament.
Both men (and all in the family) carried the same accidental name! The original Grant’s name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, but Congressman Thomas L. Hamer, who submitted his name for an appointment to West Point, was confused and wrote it as “Ulysses S. Grant,” and each generation thereafter retained that name.
Grant V spent part of his youth in the home of his grandfather, Jesse Grant (February 6, 1858 – June 8, 1934), the late president’s youngest son. Jesse Grant’s second wife, Lillian Burns Wilkins, is credited with helping to save the artifacts.
One of Mr. Grant’s projects was attempting to locate an original photo taken of his great grandfather in 1843, and that is considered the first photo every taken.
Copies of the photo have appeared through the years, most recently in Macon, Georgia. Unfortunately he was unable to locate the original daguerrotype, for which an offer of several thousand dollars remains outstanding.
Mr. Grant was the great-grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant. He was preceded in death by his parents, Major Chapman and Mabel (Ward) Grant; and his son, Chapman Grant. Surviving Ulysses is his wife of 67 years, Jean; sons, Millard and Matthew; and daughter, Bonnie, all living in Springfield, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild (obituary information courtesy the North County Times.)
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