Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-01
Respectfully, Sc ,
Col ia. Garfield.

A correspondent of the Boston Gazette
furnishes that paper with the following
sketch of Colonel Garfield, which is generally
correct:
Col Gar6el1 wss born of respectable pa
rents, in CuyahOga county, Ohio, in 1881,
making him at the present time tFirty-one
years Of age. In bis early years of boyhoOd
be formed 50 strong love for horses, and in
dependent control Of his own actions, that
he ran away from home and became driver
on the canal Possessing remarkable strength
and physical endurance, with no small
amount Of eombattive spirit, he soon became
famous Is shoulder hitter, whipping all
opponents who were anywhere near his own
age, and becoming q terror to the quarrel
some roWdies who had previously 'iruled the
ditch"
During the height of this wild career he
attended a revival meeting, became convert
ed, found new and wealthy friends, who sup
Piled him with funds 70 attend college, and
in 1856 be graduated at Williams College,
Mass, with the highest honors.
Returning 70 Ohio, he at once became set
tied as a clergyman and President of the col
lege at Hiram, Portage county. he here
became 30 popular as an eloquent divine, as
q lecturer before lYceums, and as profound
scholar, that the success of his school was
without precedent in the State.
Two years ago he was elected by an over
Whelming majority ss q member of the State
Senate, where he at once rose to the highest
degree Of popularity by his brilliant oratory
and sound ststesmRDship. Just before the
commencement Of the present war he with
drew from the college at Hiram and COM
menced the practice Of Law, but at the first
call for troops he ct once entered the field,
and rallied around him some of the sbIest
boys to be found ia the Buckeye State,
Col. Garfield stands Eve feet nine and q
half inches In his stockings, weighs 100
pounds, hass pair Of large blue eyes, yellow
ish white Greeley hair, large expressive
mouth, the outlines of which denote both
good nature and answering determination,
and is Withal what the ladies have always
called Handsome man."
Il was prophesied at once after his enlist
ment that 'let Rev. Mr.. Garfield have .
chance at the rebels, and be would die In the
Geld or win q victory" he has had his
s'chance, and the victory has been won.
It has been claimed by some of his friends
for a number Of years that be was the strong
est man in Ohio, If not in the United States,
and the following anecdJte Is related of him
Is illustrative Of bis wonderful muscular
ability. Il e said that at one of his outdoor
religious meetings, while be was eloquently
poftFaying the patience Of Job, g big two
listed roWdy, who had long been the terror
Of the county, and had broken up a number
Of meetings, leaped into the circle of weed
ing Christians, and with q wild Indian war.
whOop exclaimed: HPm ready for fight
If yer White-headed minister is 30 mighty
strong Is yer talk Of, let him jump his length
inter the cid hyens p .t. n.
Without eEincing the slightest anger, Mr..
Garfield exclaimed, "Yes, my friends, Job
was pattern OF patience, and yet If be was
here at the present moment, doubt not be
would DO as am about to =" and walking
up 10 the bully, with q movement almost as
quick as lightning, be turned him half way
round, knocked off his cap, and, grasping
him by the hair, hOisted him at arm slength
from the ground, as easily as if be had been
an infant The fellow being ooward-as
all FoRdies Rfe-Wss almost frightened 70
death, and screamed out in the most frantic
manner. @Let 60 my bar For Gods sake
let 60 I'll never trouble you aginl Let
60 my har After making the fellow prom
iss to occupy front seat during the rest of
the meeting, Mr.. Garfield let him drop. It
IS needless to say thst outdoor meeting in
that section were never afterWard disturbed.
II Rev. NJ. Garfield was the clergyman pres
ent. g hrr