Ulysses S. Grant was born in 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio, to parents Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant. His father was an abolitionist and a newspaper writer, while his mother was shy and didn't give him the love and support he needed. Grant was more like his mother, quiet and not interested in much, but he developed a love for horses and became a skilled horseman. He attended West Point against his will, but it was there that he met his future wife, Julia, and developed his skills as a leader. Grant's early life was marked by struggles, including a stint in the Mexican-American War and a bout of depression, but he eventually found his calling as a leader in the Civil War. He led the 21st Illinois Regiment and eventually became a general, earning the respect of President Lincoln and the American people. Grant's humility and respect for his former enemies were on full display at Appomattox, where he allowed them to keep their guns and horses. He went on to become the 18th President of the United States, a remarkable turnaround from his humble beginnings.
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