General Grant Dead at 87

Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant III, grandson of the Union Army Commander and the nation's 18th President, died August 29 at his home on College Hill at the age of 87.

Born in Chicago on July 4, 1881, he was the son of Gen. Frederick Dent Grant and Ida Marie Honore.

After graduating from West Point in 1903, where he ranked sixth in his class, behind the late Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. Grant went on to engineer's school and Army service in the Cuban Pacification, the Vera Cruz expedition, Mexico and World War I.

He married Edith Root, daughter of Elihu Root, on November 27, 1907, in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Grant died in 1962.

During World War II, Gen. Grant was a Pioneer Civil Defense Planner and in postwar years served as Chairman of the National Park and Planning Commission in Washington.

From 1946 to 1951 he served as Vice President of George Washington University.

Gen. Grant, who also maintained a home in Washington, became chairman in 1961 of the National Civil War Centennial Commission, which was established to coordinate the 100th anniversary of the war between the states, a post he later resigned, citing his wife's illness.

Gen. Grant headed a wide variety of historical and patriotic societies and was decorated by six nations. Honors included the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

He was Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, president of the Columbia Historical Society and the Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans.

He leaves three daughters, Mrs. David W. Griffiths of Arlington, VA; Mrs. Paul E. Ruestow of Malverne; and Mrs. John S. Dietz of Syracuse; a sister, Princess Julia Cantacuzene of Washington, D.C., 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Monday from the Hamilton College Chapel with the Rev. Carl A. Aveihle, Rector Emeritus, St., George's Episcopal Church in Utica, officiating. Members of the family served as bearers.

Military honors were conducted by Brig. Gen. Charles C. Noble, Director of civic works, Office Chief of Engineers, Department of the Army, Washington, representing the Chief of Staff and Chief of Engineers, United States Army, and Col. Samuel Patten, Professor of Military Science, Syracuse University. Honorary bearer's were Charles Kohl, representative of Cooley-McCullough Post 22 American Legion, Washington and Edward V. Buckley and David E. Berger, Helmuth-Ingalls Post 232, Clinton. Arrangements were by the Owns Funeral Home, Clinton.

From The Courier, September 5, 1968.

Gen. Grant, Distinguished Son, Is Presented Scroll and Plaque

Clinton, New York: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant III (Ret) was honored Saturday at his College Hill home when he was presented with a West Point Academy scroll by Rep. Alexander R. Pirnie, R-New Hartford. Nearly 200 persons attended the ceremony.

The presentation coincided with Grant's 86th birthday on July 4. He is the grandson of the former president and Union Army Commander, Ulysses S. Grant. And, Grant was doubly honored when Federal Judge Stephen W. Brennan presented him a plaque on behalf of Utica's American Legion Post 229. Both Pirnie and Judge Brennam are Past Commanders of Post 229.

In presenting the July 4 dated scroll on behalf of Maj. Gen. D.V. Bennett, West Point Superintendent of Cadets, Pirnie read Bennett's message, It said:

• The Superintendent, Alumni and Corps of Cadets of the US Military Academy extend sincere good wishes for health and happiness to Ulysses S. Grant III, Major General, retired USMA, class of 1903.

  As soldier, statesman, educator and citizen, he has given unsparingly of himself for the benefit of his countrymen. His many significant and lasting contributions in all fields of endeavor are a reflection of his lifelong emulation of the ideals of duty, honor and county.

  On this, the occasion of the 86th birthday (July 4) and the fittingly concurrent anniversary of the independence of our nation, his Alma Mater salutes her distinguished son.

Village Mayor Harlan Lewis along with Utica Mayor Frank M. Dulan and Rome Mayor William A. Valentine all read proclamations designating Saturday, July 8, as a day of tribute to the Grant family service to the nation over the past century.

Gen. Grant's father, Maj. Gen. Frederick D. Grant served during the Indian War and the Spanish-American war. Gen. Grant served during World Wars I and II, the Cuban pacification and the Vera Cruz expedition.

After the scroll presentation, Pirnie read a message from the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Harold K. Johnson. It said:

• For more than a century the Grant family has given more than its share of pubic service to this nation. The career of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant III has lent further continuity to the tradition of that distinguished family.

  Commissioned in 1903 when tactics involved movement on foot and horseback, he has seen the horse displaced by the armed vehicle with air cover.

  His imagination, superior intellect and keen insight were equal to this transition. His active duty included service in Cuba and at Vera Cruz and spanned two world wars but his contributions is our country did not cease with retirement.

  Not only has he been recognized for distinguished service in the field of education as vice president of George Washington university, but he was donated much of his time to assisting civilc and patriotic organizations in such positions of responsibility as that of President of the American Planning and Civil Association, Chairman of the Civil War Centennial Commission (1961) and President of the Columbia Historical Society

Concluding, Pirnie said, It is the desire of Utica Post 229 that this well deserved recognition will serve to inspire others to follow your example.

The Magnificent Yankees Drum and Bugle Corps, led by Joseph Berthold, performed at the lawn ceremony outside the Grant home on a hot, sunshine filled day in which one person wilted under the intense heat.

In a quick remark on the heat, Grant commented that the late five star Gen. Douglas A. MacArthur fell into his arms during a hot parade ceremony at West Point. And, he (MacArthur) lived to a ripe old age. Grant said.

MacArthur graduated from the same West Point class with Grant in 1903. The old soldier died in April 1964 at the age of 84.

Utica Legion Committee members at the ceremonies were General Chairman, Robert D. Steinhorst; Cochairman, Stanley W. Jones; Maj. Guy J. Morell, John Deep, Percy McCormac, Wallace C. McGregor, Eugene P. Hubbard, Clifford G. Robitello and the Post Commander Alfred E. Allen.

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Note by J. Orton: His home is now the admissions building of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He is buried just a small walk from his home along side his wife in the college cemetery.

Submitted April 2001 by:
Jerome Orton, PDC, Past National Historian
213 Dixon Dr.
Syracuse, NY 13219
ortonj@VAX.CS.HSCSYR.EDU