Members of the Military Join Officials In Remembrance of Grover Cleveland

Matthew Hersh

Members of the United States Army garrison based at Fort Dix joined the mayors of Princeton Borough and Township at the Princeton Cemetery in the annual commemoration of the life and presidency of Princeton resident Grover Cleveland. The March 18 event celebrated the 167th anniversary of the president's birth.

President Cleveland, who moved to Princeton with his wife Frances Folsom Cleveland after completing the second of his non-consecutive presidential terms in 1897, lived in a colonial mansion at 15 Hodge Road. The 15-acre estate, was dubbed "Westland" in honor of Cleveland's friendship with Andrew Fleming West, who later became dean of the Princeton University graduate school.

The Clevelands bore two sons while living at Westland, and Mrs. Cleveland became known throughout the community for hosting various functions at Westland.

Westland became a haven for University undergraduate celebrations after victories in the University's athletic program. The former president would often appear on his porch to address the crowd and offer words of encouragement.

Cleveland began to get more involved in the University and was elected a trustee in the fall of 1901. In 1902, he spoke on behalf of the trustees at Woodrow Wilson's inauguration as president of the University, and in 1904, he was appointed chairman of the trustees' committee for the graduate school. He subsequently became a strong advocate for development of the graduate school program.

Grover Cleveland died in his home on June 24, 1908 at the age of 71. After the services, which were attended by President Theodore Roosevelt, he was buried at the Princeton Cemetery.

Lt. Col. Victor Stevenson said at the ceremony that President's Cleveland's character as president and community member was one to be followed as an example.

"We can still benefit from his experience," he said.

President Cleveland is commemorated at the University by the Cleveland Tower of the Graduate College.