New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-20
HOME AND FAMILY LIFE.

The first years General Garfeds married life were
passed III Hiram, boarding with families of friends, and
II was not until he went to that he saved money
enough to buy home. In 1862 he purchased small
frame cottage facing the college green paying for it
$780, About 81 900 spent in charging it by
wing and fitting it up. The rooms small and the
ceilings low the fashion in village houses of mod
crate pretensons, but the young housewife made
the place oosey and hOmeke This the only home
of the family for many years. While in Washington
they lived In apartments The lack # settled home at
the Capital where the children could grow up amid
wholesome influences, seriously felt early in Gen
eral Garelds CONGRESSIONAL career but it until
he had boon three times elected that he began to regard
that likely to continue for indefinite period
sought the of escaping from the disagreeabe
features Of hotel and clearinghouse life. He bought
lot the of Thirteenth aud Is facing Frank
ln-square, ana with money loaned him by old army
friend put up plain, square, substantial brick house
big enough TO hold his family aud two three guests.
AS the boys grew older however, and needed more
range for their activities than city house could afford
the desire to farm which he had always felt IN
creased upon MIN. When nc had paid off the mortgage
his house aud hal little money ahead he thought
lie could safely ratify his desire, and aft good deal
OF thought ab nut localities, decided settle in the vicn
ity of tho Lake Shore Railroad of tho hand
productive ridges that parallel to Lake Erie
farm of 1Go bought in the town Of Mentot
Lake County, mile from railway and telegraph sta
uon and half mile from post Office. The buildings
consisted of tumble down barn and ancient
mouse story ana but the laud fertile
tho summer climate tempered by breezes from tho neigh
boring lake. delightful, and the people in the vicu
y Of the best class Of farmers TO he onnd in OHIO
Here the General revived all the EARNING skin OF his
boy hood days holding the plough loading hay
8 wagon driving the toam. Drainage. fencing and
other improvements absorbed all the money place
4 brought ill., aud the time spent upon highly
oyed by all the members OF the household, every
winter they looked forward to the adjournment of Con
and their release from Washington with pleasant
aniicipations.
General Garfield has had seven children AMI i've are
living. The Oldest NJ Iry died when tho army
aud the Youngest Edward, died in Washington about
foUr years ago or the surviving children the eldest
Harry is dfteen; after him James Molly, irwin
! tnamed after General Mcdowell and Abram. Harry
and James preparing lr college St Pauls school
in Concord, NewHampshre. Harry is the musician
the family aud plays the piano well. James who more
Resembles his fail her. is the mathema Molly,
handsome girl OF thirteen is ruddy sweertempered, vi
yacious aud blessed with perfect health Tho younger
boy stu in the period OF boisterous auua life. Al
! the children have quick brains and strongly mdiy,d
g ualzcd. All learned 10 read young except Abe, who
hearing his father years ago said in lecture or
education. that child Of his should forced to read
until he years Old refuge Behind the pa
rental theory aud declined learn his letters until be
had reached that age.
The manner NJ lite in Gardeld household whether
q n Washington the Mentor farm, simplc ant
81 quiet The long table bountifully supplied with
plainly cooked food and there always for any
gueat who might drop IN AT meatilne. No alcoholic
q drinks were usei There effort at following
fashions in furniture table teryce No carriage was
hopt In Washington, bat the farm there vehicles
OF various sors and tw1 ams OF stout horses Comfort
aud order prevailed without the least ttcnp
q at keeping with styles 81 dress and living any de-
rihce the healthful reg larty ~ honeeholt
customs adopted before the fame ana posi
S ton, to the artificial asages Of what Is called good