Kirjahaku

A Presidential Love Story When a young officer newly graduated from West Point met the oldest daughter of a gruff, Missouri slaveowner, farmer, and land speculator, it was love at first sight. Ulysses Grant and Julia Dent courted at her family farm, White Haven, until he was called away to the Mexican War. Secretly engaged, Ulysses wrote tender letters to Julia between daring exploits in battle. On his return, they were married. Ulysses' military career stagnated and after a miserable period of separation while he was stationed on the West Coast, Ulysses resigned to join Julia at White Haven before his second stint during the Civil War. Authors Vicki and Jim Erwin relate the Grants' early life, their courtship, their life in Missouri, and how that life shaped their future.

After its founding in 1836, Mexico was named county seat of the newly formed Audrain County. Growth in the primarily agricultural region was slow until the coming of the North Missouri Railroad and the Graduation Act that made land available from the federal government for 12.5 an acre. With the introduction of breeding and training saddle horses, the discovery of fire clay deposits, and the implementation of more efficient means of turning the clay into heat resistant brick, Mexico's star ascended. During its heyday, the city was known as the saddle horse capital and the firebrick capital of the world. Today Mexico continues to survive and thrive as main street of the Midwest.