The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-02-06
Col. James A. Garheld.


Garfield ia Eastern Kentucky is the sub
jecl Of much comment in the Eastern pa
pers. and accounts of bis early life arc
bundaDt. A Western correspondent Of
the Boston Gazette furnishes the follow
ing sketch; . l
Col. Garfield was born of respccIable
psrenls. 10 Cuyahoga County. Ohio, in
1881, making him at the present time 81
years ofsge. 10 his early years of boy
hood be formed so strong love for hor.
ses, and independent control of his own
actions, that he ran away from home and
became driver on the canal. Possess.
ing remarkable strength and physical en-.
dursnce, with 10 small mt Of com
bslive spirit, he soon became famous as a
shoulder bitter" whipping all opponents
who we're anywhere near his own age, and
becoming terror to the quarrelsome
rowdies who had previously ruled the
ditch" --.
During the hight Of this wild career
be attended revival meeting, became
converted, found new and wealthy friends
who supplied him with funds 10 attend
college, and in 1856 he graduated at Will
ams College, Mass, with The highest
honors.
Returning 10 Ohio. lie at once became
settled as a clergyman and President OF
the college at Hiram, Portage county.
He here became so popular as an eloquent
divine, as lecturer before lyceums and as
a profound scholar, that the success of his
school was without precedent in the
State.
Two years ago he was elected by an ov-
erwheIming majority as a member Of the
Stale Senat where he at once ross 10
the highest degree of popularity by his
brilliant oratory and sound craftsmanship
Just before tie commencement of the
present war he withdrew from the college
al Hiram and commenced the practice o.
law, but at the frst call Tor troops he Al
once entered the field, and rallied around
him some of the abest boys 10 be found
| III the Buckeye Slate.
Col. GaIGele stands FIVE feet nine aud g
half inches in his stockings, weighs one
hundred and ninety pounds. has pail
Of large blue eyes. yellowish white Gree
ly hair, largo expressive mouth. the ou'
lines Of which denote both good nature
and unswervDg determination, and is
wilhal what the ladies have always called
handsome man."
Il was prophesied at once after his en-
listment that, "let Rev Mr.. Garfield
have chance at the rebels. and be wo'C
die In the field or win victory" IL
has had his Chance and the victor,
has been won. ...
1t has been claimed BY some of bi
friends for number of years that he wa
the strongest man in Ohio, if not ia ih
United States, and the following anecdot
is related Of him as Illustrative of his won
derful muscular ability. 1t IS said tha
at one Of his outdoor religious meetings,
viii lie he was eloquently por,raying the
patience of Job, big two 6sted rowdy
who had long been the terror of the coun
try, and had broken up a number of meet
ings, leaped into the circle Of weeping
Christians, and with a wild Indian war
whoop exclaimed: "i'm ready for fight
If yer white headed minister is SO mighty
strong as yer talk of, let him jump biz
length inter the old hyenaP'
Without evinciug the slightest anger
Mr.. Garfield exclaimed, Eyes, my friend
Job was pattern of patience, and yet i
he was here at the present time, doub
not he would do as | am about 10 -"anC
walking up to the bully, with move
ment almost as quick as Lightning. he tur
ned him halt way round, knocked off BIZ
cap, and grasping bim by the hair, hoist
ed him at arms length from the ground a
easily as if he had been an infant. Th
fellow being a cOward-as all rowdies are
was almost fright' ned to death, an,
screamed out in the most frantic manner
"Let go my bar! For Gods sake let GO
I'll never trouble you aginl Let go m
har!' After maEing the fellow prOmis
to occupy front seat during the rest {
the meeting, Mr.. Garfield let him dral
1t is needless to say that outdoor meeting
in that section we're never afterward di.
turbsd, if Rev. Mr.. Garfield was the clel
gyman present.