Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-06-14
GEN. JAMES A. GARFIELD.

James Abram Garfield. Republican
candidate for the presidency, was born
in Ohio, in Nov, 1881. His father and
mother were of New England stock, his
mother being a neice of the Rev. Hosea
Ballou the noted Universalist clergy
man. Abraham Garfield, the father,
died when James was two years old, the
youngest of a family of four children.
The family was poor and James was
compelled to work hard for the support
of the family. He early learned some
thing of the carpenters trade, at which
he wrought considerably. But thinking
that he could do better at other business
he became a driver, afterwards boat
man on the Ohio Canal. On account of
sickness, he abandoned the idea of be-
coming sailor on the Lakes, and deci-
dcd to acquire an education. He had
up to the age of Is received little edu-
cation. He entered the academy"
studied hard, taught school, worked
nights and mornings and Saturdays at
his trade as a carpenter, and succeeded
in becoming an excellent academic
scholar. Casting about for some college
where he could work his way through
with little means, he found opportunity
to enter Williams College under the
promise of President Hopkins that he
would assist him in his attempt to
get through without available funds.
He was admitted as Junior and grad
uated with high hOnors. He left college
in debt, but soon cleared that off by
teaching. Returning to Ohio he was
made president of the Hiram Eclectic
Institute while yet very young man.
Beside his duties as teacher he carried
on the study of law, and was soon ad-
mitted to the bar His marked ability
as a scholar and an orator soon gave
him local renown and he was soon selec-
ted to represent two Ohio counties in the
State Senate. He took high rank IN
the Legislature, and was strong anti
slavery man. He was Christian man.
as well as politician, and then, as ever
since, was firmly conscientious in all his
private and public acts.
The war breaking out at this time, hi
was made colonel of an Ohio regimen
and entered the field. His command
was Immediately brought into action
and did effective and valiant service. S,
rapid were Gar6eld's promotions that b,
rose to the rank of Major-General o
volunteers within two years. His dis
trict, in the meantime, had elected hin
to congress, and on the advice of Presi
dent Lincoln he left the army and en-
tered congress. He was 81 years oil
when he entered congress, just six year
out of college. Since that time he ha
had continuous service in the House
Last winter he was chosen to the Senat
: over Thurman, the noted democrati
statesman.
Gen. Garfield, since Blaine entere
s the Senate, has been the acknowledge
= leader of the House. He is stalwal
? Republican, inheriting his republicanisr
y from old Wings, and trained in tn
: strong Republican district Representa-
: by Giddings, Whittlesy and Lovejoy
i He is tall, powerfully built man, is
e very fine scholar, a close student,
d powerful debater and one of the fine
e orators. His career in congress has bee
% marked by courageous defence of a
the cardinal principles of republicanisr
l. He is in no sense machine POLITICAL
d but has risen to his present high pla,
1t by faithful attention to duties, gre
e mental activity and strength, and fait
e, full devotion to the welfare of state al
er country. His country home is at Il
ID town Mentor, on the shores of Lake Fri
he 20 miles east of Cleveland, where
D. owns farm with very modest set
ut farm buildings, where he spends b
" summers. He has, also, a house
ne Washington. He is plain, genial al
ut homespun. and though royal in abili
a. and attainments is plebian in his tast
is and associations. He is truly of t
be people. His long puplic career b
e. probably not been entirely free fro
Us blemish, and he has not escaped t