Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-20
JAHES 4. GARFIELD.
Sketch OF n Remarkable Life,

known a. the wilderness of Orange fifteen miles
from Mentor, Ohio. Though his ancestors occu-
pied humble positions in life. he was the worthy
heir of a line of men and women distinguished
for noble courage and high virtue His
biographers trace his lineage back to one of
that picked company of men, women and
Children who came over in the ship
with Gov. Winthrop. TO the Massachusetts,
shores, and it is absolutely certain that this an
cestor. Edward Garfield, was one OF the one
hundred and six proprietors of Watertown, now
lovely suburb OF Boston. for he is 80 recorded
In 1853. Whatever may be the connection De
tween the ancient burgher of Waterto"n ana
the little log cabin in the ONO will
derness it Is a matter Of undfsputed history
that James A. Garfield was born in the latter
place. and il may be considered by some tiat IL
was not particularly fortunate entrance INTO
the world. But his birth amid such surround
ings. the commencement of his life IN such
lowIy way adds tenlold to the pride with which
Americans now point To James y. CARRIED as
specimen of well developed American manhood.
His father died when he eighteen months
Old and left his four children To be reared by his
widow. Eliza Garfield. 1t is recorded that
James
BEGAN HIS SCHOOL. LIFE
at the early ace of three his widowed mother
= having rendered corner of her small farm for
a site for school house in order. to have it
within easy distance Wonderful stories are re-
and his amazing capacity TOR learning even be-
fore he entered his teens. When he was four
teen or fifteen he began to work out" first
earning 80 month and board at boiling ''blacll
salts from the ashes of burned logs. When he
was sixteen he went to Cleveland in search OF
employment and accepted offer to drive
horses for cousin who was running
canal boat His canal boat
experience which has been SO much exploited,
lasted three months. and Melted him 80 a
month and board The one feature of this sin
gular experience which was of special value to
him afterwards, was his learning to steer.
and something about the navigation of the
Ohio river = an experience that served
him in the army. when he saved
his command in Eastern Kentucky from
starving by plotting a boat sent for supplies
when no professional on hand would undertake
the perilOus duty. He stood at the wheel for
forty-iOur hours ont of forty-eight, and saved
has boat from being wrecked. When ne re-
TUNED 10 his command with load of supplies
his men We're eating their last crackers. The
Immediate result of his canal experience was an
attack of fever. which laid him UP for five months,
during which he was patiently watched and
nurSed by his noble mother. In the spring of
his eighteenth year James and his two cousins
entered
THE GEAUGA SEMINARY.
the boys renting room-with a cook-stove and
two betis-in which they lived. There he met,
also. modest, studOus, reserved girl named
IUcretia Rudolph meeting which eXerted an
Influence over his whole future life. Between
terms James worked at having or carpenter
in@. and at the end of the Year he began to
teach a district school. 1t was while he was
teaching that winter that he fell under the in
flGence of - Disciples preacher. and was bap-
TIED in the faith OF his mother. After spending
two more terms ut Geauga Young Garfield set
out for Hiram Eclectic Institute now known as
Hiram College, an Institution then just being
started at Hiram he gave additional manifest
ations OF his aptitude and capacity for learning.
AT HIRAM AND WILLIAMS.
He entered Hiram in the fall of 1851, and in
june, 1871, had not only fitted himself to enter
col.ece. but had completed two years of the
cCilc-c course. To be admitted in the
junior class in Williams in full and good stand
in lie had not only paid his way as he went
ar. supported himself by teaching but had
saved up about $50. On graduating from VIII
IaiIs with high h0nors in 1856. with the highest
college popularity and with the unreServed
Confidence and admiration of President Hopkins
AMI all tie faculty. Garfield naturally returned
to Hiram for the beginning OF his life work
trained and cultured man: He was married to
his former fellow pupil. Lucretia Rudolph, on
the llth OF November. 1858. having become pro-
feS.Or of Latin and Greek two years before He
Soon rose to be president of Hiram College.
STATE SENATOR AND SOLDIER.
He was elected in 1859. when % years of age
by the people of Summit and Portage counties
State Senator. and in that capacity began his
long and honorable public service. At the break
ing ont of the war Garfield who had long fore
seen the struggle that was coming was ready
His military record covers only little over
two years. but is full OF achievements. He set
about. when there was call for troops raising
recruits for the 42d Ohio volunteers and
was commissioned in August 1861 as
feutc.ant colonel. and soon promoted TO
col"aei ON the 18th of December iS61. he
tooa his well-driiied regiment to the front So
faycTably impressed was Gen. Buell. with the,
x1afETtt hot
in command of an expedition against Humphrey
Marshall. who had invaded eastern Kentucky
an expedition which was signally successful
He received brigader's commission stimuli
taEeousiy with his fight with Hum
phrey. which resulted aoriously for
the tnion forces. His subsequent achievements
as a soldier We're brilliant. He took part i'll the
second Gay's fight NJ shiloh. He was in all the
Opef ations in front OF Coriuth: rebuilt and
guarded the bridges on the Memphis and
Charleston railroad. and did his share in erecting
fortlfications- Being ordered to Washington he
served on the fitZ John Porter court-martial
and on lis adjournment in January. 1863, wassent
To ROSecrans who made him bis chief of staff -
The croTning effort Of his service in this re-
spoEsih!e office came with the battle of Chicka-
manga. where he shared the honors of the day
with odd Pap Thomas" and nObly won major
generals commission. After ChickaInauga
Gen. Garfield was sent 10 Washington to
Reconcile the differences between ROsecrans and
Stanton and in December 1853 reluctantly re-
signed his commission to perform the duties to
which his constituents mad called him nearly Is
Months before.
His CONGRESSIONAL CAREER
Then began his career in the House of Repre-
sentatiVes. which closed only with his elevation
tOthe Chief Magistracy. he having been reelected
nine tines. ami finally chosen to represent his
state in the Senate. tie entered Congress when
he was less than 81 years OF age. The accey-
taHce Of the seat in Congress cost him many
severe struggles between c0ntending cOnyic-
lions Of duty tie was advised by Gen. Rose
Grams 10 enter Congress. When Gen. Thomas
assumed command OF the Army OF the Cumber-
land. he offered Gen. CARRIED the Command
OF an army corps. AN invitation that made Gen
GaTnelds impulse 10 20 back to the army al
mos Irresistible. but President Lincoln HAVING
personally urged him 70 remain in Congress h,.
yielded To give taIr notion Of the scene and
nature Of Gen. GarteId'> work in the 3Sth. as in
al the succeeding Congresses. would REQUIRE
much more space than here he given and
the task. indeed, j. one that belongs to the Da-
tient, careful. diSpas>i0nate historian who may
write without prejudice favor when the prest nj
political conditions nave changed. The wonder
fui versatility. activity. industry and ability of
the man has matte the work S.tu.th