I did not grow up learning about Ulysses Grant, or hearing much. I am grateful to be able to glean positivity from his legacy, as it is one shared intimately with pain. When I went to High School in S.C. with Jefferson Davis' descendent, she was a young girl the same age as me. She was well aware of her family's social pressures while I lived without anyone knowing who I was, not even myself. She and I were friends, almost two decades later do I realize "who" we were. 
In November 2019, at the "Warrior Tradition" screening at Buffalo WNY PBS station I had the joy of meeting my cousin, John Grant, who was the historical documentary producer. After the screening I met Ely S. Parker's descendent. I highly recommend you to watch the documentary about our Native servicemen and Veterans, both of foreign and domestic conflict. I spoke briefly with others privately among the crowd about the restoration of Seneca Park land on Buffum St. to permanent care under the Natives. We observed an incredible gallery of artworks by Native artisans.
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In many regards, he and I share the same genes, yet modern medicine spared me the same fate by removing the same organs that took his, 107 years later when I was a newborn. 
His story is the story of the United States of America, I don't feel it is mine to share, so I am creating my own. 
The story of disease following war, disease following technological progress. The reality of hope and creativity emerging from pain, from Cancer, is American, and fundamentally human. The story of the Reconstruction still continues today as we stride forward on the shoulders of giants. Please read about some of the most important work of the Reconstruction here; PBS: NOVA. 
He was not just a Republican President, a General, a loving father, husband and grandfather; before any of these he was an artist.