Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-07-14
James A. Garfield.
SKETCH or HIS CAREER FROM THE FARM
To THE WHITE HOUSE.

| James Ahram Garfield was born in a log
cabin on new farm in Orange township
| Cuyahoga county, o., Nov 10, 1881. his
father being poor farmer. and he the young
est Of four children. From the first his life
was one of hardship. He had to work, and
his opportunities for education we're limited
to a backwoods district school. When about
Is years of age, he began working for neigh
bors in numbering and other business, and
at the age Of IL, began his celebrated expe-
rience on canal boat This only lasted
four months however. Meantime he had
studied at every opportunity, and had made
much progress. \ narrow escape from
drowning had a great effect on him. He
resolved to gam a thorough education and
be u man of eminence. lie decided to 90
10 school called Geauga academy, in an
adjoining county. His mother had saved a
small sum Of money, which she gave him.
together with few cooking utensils and
stock Of provisions. lie hired a small room
and cooked his own food to save expense.
lie paid his own way after that. never call
ing ON his mother for any more assistance
BY working at the carpenters bench morn
lngs and evenings and vacation times. and
teaching country schools during the winter
he managed 10 attend the academy during
the spring and fall terms and to save little
money towards gong to college When
he vas % years of age he calculated that
he had saved about half enough money To
get through college, provided he could begin.
he hoped. with the junior wear. In the
fall Of 1854 he entered the Junior class Of
Williams college, Massachusetts,. and grad
uatcd ia 1886 with the metaphysical honorS
Of his class When Garfield returned TO
OHIO he became professor Of Latin aLd
Greek in Hiram college and threw himself
with energy and industry into the work Of
building up the Institution. Before he had
been two years in his profe,sor-hip he was
appointed president Of the college. The
young president taught lectured and
preached, and all the time studied diligently
During his professor ship, Garfield married
Mss LucretIa Randolph, daughter Of
farmer IN the neighborhood, whose acqualnt-
anCe he had made while at the academy
where She Vas also a pupil. In 1859 the
college president was elected 10 the state
senate from the counties Of Portage and
summit. tie did not resign his presidency,
because he looked upon few months IN the
legislature a, an episode not likely to change
the course Of hi, life. But the war came to
alter all his plans. During the winter Of
1851 he was active IN the passage of meas
ures for armIug the state militia. and his ell
oquence aud energy made him conspicuous
Eariy in the summer of 1861, he was elected
colonel OF the forty second infantry reg-
ment. raised in northern Ohio. many Of the
soldiers in which, had been students at Hi
IL. 81, s..l.y
tucky. was soon put in command Of a hrl-
gade, and by making one Of the hardest
marche, ever made by recruits. surprised
and routed the confederate forces, under
Humphrey Marshall. at P.Acton. Ill, mil
ltarl career, which vas throughout success
fu!. # not brilliant. closed at the battle OF
ChIckamauga. lie had then risen to the po-
,tlon Of chief Of staff u Gen. Ro>ecraus
In 1862 Garfield va, elected 10 congress and
year later. leit the army 10 take hi seat IN
the house Of representatives.. His career
there i well known. He remained i mem
Der Of the house till 1850, when he was
elected nlted States senator from OHIO
but never took his seat, being in the fall
elected 70 the presidency Iii person Gen.
Garfield is SIX feet high. broad shuuIdcrrd,
and strongly built. He has al UNUSUAL,
large head. that seems to be thrce-fDurths
forehead, hght-brown hair and beard. large,
light-blue eyes, a prominent nose and full
cheeks. Tie dresses plainly. is fond Of
broad brmmed slouch hats ana stout boots.
eat, heartily, cares nothing for luxurtuu,
living, Is thoroughly temperate in all re-
spects save in that OF brain work, and IS de-
voted to his wife and children and very fond
Of his country home. Among men he i,
GENIAL, approachable, companionable. and a
remarkably entertaining talker. Before he
went To college, Garfield had connected him
self with the Disciples, a sect having a uu-
merous Membership an eastern aud southern
ONO, West Virginia and Kentucky. where
it founder, Alexander Campbell, had tray
elled and preached The principal peculiar
tiles OF the denomination are their refusal
10 formulate their beliefs into u creed. the
Of eacn congregation, the hos I.
pltallty and fruternal feeling Of the mem-
bers, and the lack Of a regular ministry tie
is believed To be stiii connected with that I
sect.