“Grover Cleveland Born,” and “Studebaker’s Bankruptcy,” - This Day in History – Mar 18th

Future President Grover Cleveland is Born

Back in 1887, Caldwell, NY welcomed the birth of the future President, Grover Cleveland.  Mr. Cleveland holds the record as the only person to serve two non-consecutive terms as the 22^nd (1885-1889) and 24^th (1893-1897) President of the U.S. 

Mr. Cleveland was known as a hard working individual who displayed a trait seen rare among politician during this era-honesty.  He also strived to create anti-corruption policies as well.   

History.com stated that, “Even revelations he had sired an illegitimate child while mayor of Buffalo did not sway substantial public opinion against him. When the secret came out during his first presidential campaign, Cleveland told his press secretary to just tell them the truth and the scandal quickly dissipated. Cleveland won his first campaign for the presidency in 1884. He ran again in 1889, but lost to Benjamin Harrison, primarily over the issue of tariff revisions.” 

President Cleveland’s two non-consecutive presidencies were not the only historical events in his career.  He is also the first bachelor president to get married in the White House.  The wedding took place during his first term to Frances Folsom, who was 27 years, his junior.

History.com acknowledged that, “Cleveland literally had known Frances from the time she was born. When she was 11, her father died and Cleveland became the child's legal guardian, remaining close friends with her mother. His pet name for Frances was Frank. Observers thought Cleveland would marry his friend's widow and were completely surprised when instead he married Frances, shortly after her 21st birthday. In his second term, the couple's second daughter, Esther, became the first child born to a president in a White House bedroom.” 

After Cleveland’s reign as President was over in 1897, he would die 11 years later at the age of 71 in Princeton, NJ.

Studebaker Automobile Bankruptcy Problems

Back in 1933, during the Great Depression, the American manufacturer of the automobile the Studebaker filed for bankruptcy under Albert Erskine, the company’s president.  Mr. Erskine would later resign from his post and sadly commit suicide. 

History.com stated that, “the origins of the Studebaker Corporation date back to 1852, when brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker opened a blacksmith shop in South Bend, Indiana. Studebaker eventually became a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons and supplied wagons to the U.S. Army during the Civil War. Around the turn of the century, the company entered America's burgeoning auto industry, launching an electric car in 1902 and a gas-powered vehicle two years later that was marketed under the name Studebaker-Garford. After partnering with other automakers, Studebaker began selling gas-powered cars under its own name in 1913, while continuing to make wagons until 1920.”

The Studebaker sought new management was incorporated with the help of Raymond Loewy, a French-born industrial designer.  Mr. Loewy would help to create the designs of the Starlight Coupe, the 1953 Starliner and the 1963 Avanti Sports Coupe. 

The company would later rebound but again due to financial problems would shut down production for its final time in 1966. 

Special Note:  There is a Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, IN.

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spectator-death-forces-new-rules-for-nhl-games?catId=10