Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-26
JAMES A. GARFIELD.
SKETCH OF A RkMARkABLE LIFE.

James Abraham Garfield was born Novem-
Der 10Th, 1881, in log cabin, in what was
then known as the wilderness Of Orange, if-
teen miles from Mentor, Ohio. Though hisI
ancestors occupied humble positions in life,
he was the worthy heir of line Of men andI
women distinguished for noble courage and|
high virtue. His biographers trace his lin
cage back to one of that picked company OIL
men, women and children who came over in|
the ship with Gov. Winthrop, to the Massa
chusetts shores, and it is absolutely certain
that this ancestor, Edward Garfield, was one
Of the one hundred and six proprietors of
Watertown, now a lovely suburb of Boston,
for he 10 so recorded in 1855. Whatever
may be the connection between the ancient
burgher of Watsrtown and the little log cabin
in the Ohio wilderness it is a matter of un-
disputed history that James A. Garfield was
born in the latter place, and it may be con-
sidered BY some that it was not a particular
ly fortunate entrance into the world. But
his birth amid such surroundings, the COM
mencement Of his life in such a lowly way
adds teniod to the pride with which Ameri-
cans point to James A. Garfield a speci-
men Of well-developed American manhood
His father died when he was eighteen months
old. and LETT his four children to be reared
by his widow. Eliza Garfield. 1t is recorded
that James
BEGAN MS SCHOOL LIFE.
at the early age of three. his widowed mother
having rendered corner of her small farm|
for site for a school house in order to have
il within easy distance. Wonderful stories|
are related of young Garfeld's eageruess for|
books and his amazing capacity for learning
even before he entered his teens. When he|
WAS fourteen or fifteen. he began to 'work|
out" first earning 81 month and board at
boiling 'black salts from the ashes al
burned logs. When he was sixteen, he went
to Cleveland in search of employment and|
accepted an offer to drive horses for cousin
who was running canal boat His canal
boat experience. which has been much ex
plotted. lasted three months, and netted him|
el0 month and board. The one feature of
this singular 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 pilot
ing boat sent for supplies, when no pro
fessional on hand would undertake the peril
Gus duty. He stood Mt the wheel for forty Il
four hours out Of forty-eight. and saved his
boat from being wrecked. When he returned
to his command with load of supplies his
men were eating their last crackers. Thc|
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 nurscd BY his noble mother
In the spring of his eighteenth year James
and his two cousins entered
rHE eEAueA SEMINARY,
the boys renting room-with a cook-stove|
and two beds-in which they lived. There bel
met, too, a modest. studious. reserved girl
named l.ucrctia Rudolph meeting which,
exerted an influence over his whole future|
life. Between terms James worked at hay
ing or carpcntering, and at the end of the|
wear he began to teach district school. 1t!
was while he was teaching that winter that
he fell under the influence of Disciples
preacher, and was baptized in the faith of his
mother. After spending two more terms at
Gcauga, young Garfield set out for Hiram Ec-
lectic Institute, now known as Hiram Coll
lege, an institution then just being started
Al Hiram he gave additional manifestations
Of his aptitude and capacity for learning.
AT HIRAM AND WILLIAMS.
He entered Hiram in the fall of 1851, and
in June, 1854, had not only fitted himself tn
enter college, but had completed two years
of the cole &c course. SO as to be admitted I'M
the Junior class in Williams in full and good
standing He had not only paid his way AS
he went and supported himself by teaching,
but had saved up about $3.50. On graduatingI
from williams with high honors in ls56,
with the highest college popularity, and With
the unreserved confidence and admiration of
President Hopkins and all the faculty. Gar
lield naturally returned to Hiram for the be
ginning Of his life work as trained and
cultured man. He Was married to his former
fellow pnpil. Lacrctia Rudolph. on the llth|
u Noveubef. 1858, having become professor
81 lAfta and Greek two years before. HeI
soon re - b. psssident Of Hiram College.