Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-07-31
Gen. Gar1leId's Early student
Life.

The following letter from Generat Gar
field, in regard to mis- early student life,
appears in the "UHiO7s EdHcatioHM Quar-
tsrly," Of Chester:
LETTER FROM HON J. a. GARFIELD.
The following sketch of the early sta
dent life Of one who has rendered Aimself
dear to the hearts Of the American people
by his late military and political career,
will be read with interest by sll. and
especially by those who, amid poverty, are
trying 10 educate themselves for q Life OF
usefulness. Many poor boy will lake
courage as he beholds him gradually
rising from a mere canal driver TO the
House Of Representatives, and, we trnst,
from thence to. the height Of political
fame:
HtRAlI, OHIO, May Sth, 1867.
Board of Trustees, Geaaga Seminary.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 4th
instant, with It's accompanying blank and
circular, came duly to hand. enclose a
contribution for the worthy purpose Of
renoyating the seminary building I re-
gret that am not able to make larger
one g.. 49,.
In accordance with your request make
q brief statement Of my connection with
Geauga Seminary. I do this with the more
readiness, because it Is y soures Of great
pleasure to me TO recall the persons aud
scenes connectsd with the Beginnings Of
student life. sE 81. -. -
In the winter of 1s4s-s, I was. At my
mothers home in Orange, C1yahOgs
County, Ohio, suffering from, three
months siege Of fever and ague, which j
had brought from the Ohio Canal thspre-
eeding summer Samuel D. Bates, now
distinguished minister of the gospel IN
Marion, Ohio, was that winter tesehiag
the district school near my mothers. He
had attended the Seminary at Chester, aud
urged several Of the young men IN the
to return there with him in
the Eprlag. Being yet too III 70 rer1rn %
my plan of becoming sailor on the Lake,
/ resolved to attend school one term, and
postpone sailing until autumn. Accord
lngly Joined two other young men,
VIM Boynton, (my e0usin, and OFrsn b.
judd, Of Orange, and with the necessary
provisions for boarding ourselves, we
reached Chester, March 9th, ls49, and
rented q room in an unpainted frame
house nearly west Of the Seminary, and
across the street from il.
The teachers at the time were Mr.. and
Mrs. Cofin, Mr.. Bigslow, and Miss Abb
gail Curtis. bought the second algs6ra
| ever saw, and commenced tie stuoy Of
{ there. Studied also Natural Philosophy
md Grammar.
In diary which kept while there,
ind memories Of that term ss well as sub
equent ones, and among other things
opy Of the programmes Of the exhibitions
& the end Of the two spring terms Of lo49
so. attended there IN the fall Of 1849,
nd during the following winter taught
1y first school, Returned TO the Sepiaa-
y in the spring of 1850. Spencer j. Fow-
D was then sssistaRr, and John B. Beech
Vas his chief assistant 1
commenced the study Of Latin and
nished Algebra and BOtsny. At the
lose Of the spring term I made my Inst
nblic speech. Il was six minutes ora
on at the annual exhibition Ny diary
lows the anxiety and solicitude through
Inch passed in its preparation and de-
very.
Daring the vacation of 1850, worked
the carpenters trade in Chester. Be-
des other things I helped to Guild two
Ory house on the east side of the road,
tile way south of the Seminary grounds.
TENDED school during the fall term of
so, and commenced the study of Greek.
worked mornings, evenings and Satur-
Lys at my trade, and thus paid my way.
fter the first term at Chester, never re-
iyed any peeuniary assistance. The
ST of living, however, was much less
an 1t now IS. In my second term st
hester, l had board, room and washing
Heman WOodwOrth's for one dollar and
I cents per week.
In 1851 commenced attending the In
tution at this place. Studied and taught
re until 1854, when entered WilBams
llege, Massachusetts, and graduated in
56. -.
| remember with great satisfaction the
'rk which was accomplished for me at
ester. It marked the most decisive
ange in my hfe. While there I formed
lehnite purpose and plan to complete a
lege course Its great point gained,
en young man makes up his mind to
1Oie several years 10 the accomplishment
definite work. With the educational
ilities now afforded in our country, no
ing man who has good health, and is
ster Of his own actions, can be excused
not obtaining good education. Pow
IS very inconTenient, but It Is fine
7 to activity, and may be made 3 rich
'sing. @ 4
hope the Seminary OF Chester may
g be q blessing to young men ara
men who attend 1t.
Very respectfully, @
JAMES A. GARFIELD-