Grant began working at his father’s store at Galena, which had been managed by his brothers Simpson and Orvil. At this point in Grant’s life, “nothing could distract from the unpleasant truth that Grant had been a failure, battered by life at every turn” (113). Working for the store, Grant was unhappy and “displayed small business aptitude” (114). However, Chernow discounts an early story claiming that Grant got into a fight at a bar, especially because he “was also a solitary drinker” (117). In terms of politics, Grant considered leaving the Democratic party and supporting the Republican candidate for president, Abraham Lincoln. This was despite the Democratic sympathies of Julia. Grant was drawn to the Republicans’ abolitionist views.

Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election. However, the election was full of “troubling omens” (120) like the fact Lincoln won every northern state except New Jersey, but he did not appear on the ballot in the Deep South, and he had less than 40% of the popular vote. It was feared that “Lincoln’s election would bring southern secession” (120). The possibility of secession made Grant enthusiastic about politics. He supported the idea of the government going to war to keep the South from seceding and believed the North would have a quick victory in such a conflict.