Grover Cleveland: A preacher’s kid

Stephen Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) was born in New Jersey, one of nine children of a Presbyterian minister. His family later moved to upstate New York where this future president grew up. He studied and then practiced law in New York, he then became mayor of Buffalo, then he served as governor of New York prior to his being elected as America’s 22nd and 24th president. He is the only president to have left the White House after serving one term and then returned four years later as our 24th president. In 1886, during his first term, he married 21-year-old Frances Folsom at the White House, the only president to have married at the White House. They had five children, and during his first term (1885-1889), Mrs. Cleveland became the first to give birth at the White House. Now, let us consider the faith of Grover Cleveland. 

This president was known for his integrity and for his desire to do right in his leadership decisions and by his own personal example. Here are excerpts from his first inaugural address on March 4, 1885: “… and let us not trust to human effort alone, but humbly acknowledge the power and goodness of Almighty God who presides over the destiny of nations, and who has at all times been revealed in our country’s history, let us invoke His aid and His blessings upon our labors … I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men.” 

In a later speech, President Cleveland said this: “The citizen is a better business man if he is a Christian gentleman, and surely, business is not the less prosperous and successful if conducted on Christian principle … All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship … Those who manage the affairs of government are by this means reminded that the law of God demands that they should be courageously true to the interests of the people, and that the Ruler of the Universe will require of them a strict account of their stewardship” (Quotations are from America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotation p. 108-109). 

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Here is another American leader of the past, a “preacher’s kid,” who was a professing and practicing Christian as he served his country by serving others. Let us pray daily for all who serve in public office throughout America … and let it include those who serve right where we live. 

Peace!