Cleveland, Grover (Administration)

The only individual to serve nonconsecutive terms as president, Grover Cleveland was born in New Jersey in 1837. Cleveland rose to political fame while residing in Buffalo, New York, where he practiced law before becoming mayor. Cleveland routinely found support from business leaders at the local level, and his pro-economic policies for the city launched his future political aspirations. Before long, Cleveland had been elected governor of New York. During his campaign, his main advantage was a history of honesty and efforts to eliminate corruption and graft in Buffalo. As governor, Cleveland set his sights clearly on the Tammany Hall political organization and the corruption running rampant within its walls. His reputation as a reformer opposed to all means of corruption made him a viable ...