The Van Buren press., 1899-11-25
Biographical Sketch.

Garrett \. Hobart was eminently sue
cessful both IN business and politics. His
reputation as Il man of affairs and as one
of the shrewdest business men in the
country was perhaps greater than his
reputation as a political leader and states
man until f,s election to the Vice-presi-
dency three years ago
Mr. Hobart was born in 1874 at Long
Branch n j. His ancestors on mis-
fathers side were English, and on his
mothers side Dutch. Thirty-three years
ago he was graduated from Rutgers col
lege, and began teaching school. Three
months later he entered upon the study
of law with Socrates Tuttle, q prominent
lawyer in Passaic county, and who was
at that time mayor OF Paterson. Young
Hobart is said to have arrived at Pater-
son with but a dollar and fifty cents in
his pocket and from this small begin
ming he made his way, unaided, to wealth
AMI prominence. In 1869 he was admitted
to the bar, and the same year he married
the daughter of Mr.. Tuttle. Mr.. Hobart
made his way rapidly ut the bar of his
native state and his bent led him early
into politics. In 1871 he was made city
counsel of Paterson. and In 1872 was elect
ed to the state assembly, of which body
he was chosen speaker in the following
year. Even during these early years he
displayed that accurate knowledge of men
and exhibited that wonderful executive
ability which were the key of his later
success both in business and politics. At
the end of his second year in the as
semby he retired to devote himself to
the law, and to the numerous business in
terests with which he had become identi-
fed But the demands of his party would
not admit of his remaining long In pri-
Vate life, and in 1876 he was elected to the
state senate of which body he was chosen
president in 1881. During his service in
the senate he was chairman of the ju-
dietary committee and was the author of
many measures of importance which are
now on the statute books of the state of
New Jersey. His party became more and
aNn N demands m
ii was recognized as a safe and guiding
hand, and from 1880 to 1891 he was at the
head of the state republican organiza-
tion of New Jersey, and as such, planned
some of the most brilliant campaigns con-
Quoted by his party. From 1884 until 1896
he was "A member of the National repub-
lican executive committee, and had much
to do with the management of the ma
tiCnai campaigns during those IL years.
During all these years his business con-
noctions became broader and broader. His
keen insight into affairs made his advice
ana counsel Of such value that he was
sought after by some of the larg-
est corporations in the country as
vice president he was a director in no
less than 60 different companies. Proba-
bly, the greatest business honor which he
attained was his selection as one of the
three arbitrators of the Joint Traffic as
sociation, composed of 81 of the most
prominent trunk lines of the country.
Through his business connections and his
law practice he built up a large fortune.
AFTER MS nDulllbllOu anu tltCllOn 10 the
vice presidency on the ticket headed by
Mr. Mckinley, he came to Washington
and took up his residence IN the old Cam
eIon mansion, adjoining the site of the
historic old Seward house on Lafayette
square where Blaine died The Hobart
residence. during the past two years, has
been the scene of many delightful social
affairs. Socially the vice-president AMI
Mrs. Mckinley. President Ho-
barts genial temperament and charming
personality made him very popular not
only in the state over which he presided
with dignity and ability, but with all who
came in contact with him
Mr. Hobart left but one child. Garrett
\. Hobart. Jr., d boy of IA. Fanny. a girl
o. % died in 1885. in Italy, while there
with her parents.
Mr.. Hobart was popular presiding Of
tcer and good parliamentarian Ii had
been the habit of most vice-presidents to
refer closey-disputed points of order to
the senate for decision. Mr.. Hobart, how
ever. usually decided all such questions
himself, especially if they involved par
liamentary law, and the rules did not pro-
vide for decision by the senate. He was
quick in disposing of business at his desk,
and proceedings We're never delayed
through any indecision on his part His
firm and impartial manner won the re-
spcct of all senators. while his genial and
pleasant manner made him one of the
most popular men who ever filled the high
office which his death leaves vacant.