Julia Boggs Dent was born on January 26, 1826 at White Haven Plantation west of St. Louis. Her father was a wealthy planter and merchant. Julia attended private school where she was an average student, excelling in art and music. She was described then as “rather plain” and she squinted due to slightly crossed eyes. Julia developed into a self-assured, good-natured woman who knew what she wanted and usually got it.
Julia met Ulysses Grant through her brother, who was a classmate of Grant’s at West Point. She married “Ulys” in spite of strong parental objections. In fact, both sets of parents were opposed to the marriage. Mr. Dent felt that Grant had little prospect of success, and believed Julia could do much better. That opinion did not change for many years. Mr. Grant opposed the marriage because the Dents were prominent slave owners.
Grant proposed to Julia while riding in a carriage. They had to cross a bridge flooded by suddenly rising waters from a swollen creek. Julia felt it unsafe to cross the bridge, but Grant assured her the bridge was safe. Julia grabbed Grant’s arm and declared, “I’m going to cling to you no matter what happens.” After crossing the bridge safely, Grant turned to Julia and asked, “How would you like to cling to me for the rest of your life?”
Grant did well during the Mexican War, earning two special recognitions for bravery. But after the war, when he was assigned to lonely hardship posts out west, he apparently began drinking, and was forced to resign from the army. During the 1850’s, he tried selling real estate and farming, but failed at both. He eventually went to work in his father’s leather goods shop, where his younger brother was the manager. The Civil War changed Grant’s life. Throughout the war, Julia spent as much time with Grant as possible, and Grant’s staff always appreciated her effect on him.
After the war, Grant was a national hero and the obvious choice for the White House. He was elected in the first election after the war. Julia looked forward to being First Lady, and knew exactly what she wanted to do in the position. She immediately changed many things at the White House. She started by instituting a more formal and impressive White House appearance. The staff was required to wear black coats and ties, and maintain an alert appearance while on duty. Breaks were to be taken downstairs, and absolutely no loitering anywhere in the public areas. This was a dramatic change from the more informal ways that had previously been the norm.
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