Like Obama, Grover Cleveland Rose Rapidly in Ranks

Many have said Barak Obama's rise to the presidency came quickly from a state senator in Illinois to a U.S. Senator and finally the highest office in the country.

But while Obama's meteoric rise was quite amazing, it was nothing like former President Grover Cleveland's ascent to the Oval Office.

Robert Baumol, lecturer at Bergen Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University, spoke of Cleveland's life at the Annual Conference of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association at the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell on Saturday.

Baumol discussed the Caldwell native's rise from an attorney, to mayor of Buffalo, N.Y., then to New York governor and finally President of the United States in only a three-year period.

In addition, Baumol pointed out another similarity between the two presidents.

"Like Obama's appeal of the young voters, Cleveland was a breath of fresh air," Baumol said of the time of corruption symbolized by Tammany Hall, a political machine, in New York City.

Members of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association and area residents came to recognize Cleveland's 173rd birthday on Saturday.

The group held a flag ceremony at the home at 207 Bloomfield Ave., where Stephen Grover Cleveland was born March 18, 1837. 

The members then proceeded to the church, where Cleveland's father was a pastor, to hear Baumol's annual address.

Baumol said several events and timing fell into place for Cleveland to move so quickly up the ranks.

While not an eloquent speaker, Cleveland had one characteristic that helped him stand out from many politicians of his day—honesty, Baumol said.

Cleveland, the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th president, emphasized that trait to defeat Republican James G. Blaine of Maine, and win his first term, according to Baumol. 

"It was not decided on policy decisions, but on morality," he said. "In 1885, they needed a man of reform and Grover Cleveland was the man."

Cleveland, who served terms from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897, was the only president to be married and have a child in the White House.

True to form, Cleveland often used his veto power to squash politicians who he believed were using their political influence to provide jobs to friends, Baumol said.

"So many were corrupt and had their hand in the till," Baumol said. "When he stood up against it that is when he really shined."

Dave Cowell, president of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association, said that there are two primary purposes for the annual celebration.

"We want to honor Grover Cleveland, the only president who was born and died in New Jersey," Cowell said. "Also, it is to make the site an asset to the community."

Cowell, who said they have been looking to grow flowers of the time of Cleveland's birth in 1837, pointed out that the long-term plan is to build an extension to the carriage house in the back of the site.

The vision is to create more of a tourist center that contains a gift shop and even a classroom for children to learn more about Cleveland's life.

According to Cowell, last year and he is expecting more in the future.

"We have made great strides in a short period of time," said Cowell, whose group dates back to 1913, but was revived in 1986 for the Sesquicentennial of Cleveland's birth (1987). "This is a growing asset of the community."

The group will also be the host association for the New Jersey League of Historical Society's meeting.

Cowell said the era when Cleveland held office is often overlooked.

"It is a forgotten period of time," Cowell said. 

Cleveland's Birthplace is run by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry and is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. It is also open Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

It is recommended to call 973-226-001 to confirm hours. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. For more information, visit its Web site or e-mail gcmuseum@gmail.com.