The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-11-24
HOBART WAS a SELF MADE MAN
Story of His Rise from Poverty to Wealth
and Influence

Story of His Rise from Poverty to Wealth
and Influence
Garrett A. Hobart was eminently
successful both inIbusiness and poliJlcs.
His reputation as a 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
statesman until his election to the vice
presidency three years ago. Mr. Hobar
was born IN 1874 at Long Branch, N. j.
HIS ancestors OH his fathers side were
English, and on his mothers side
Dutch. Thirty three years ago he was
graduated from Rutgers college and
began teaching school Three months
later he entered upon the study of law
with Socrates Tuttle, a prominent law
yer in Passaic county, and who was at
that time mayor of Paterson. Young
Hobart is said to have arrived at Pater
son with but $1.50 in his pocket, and
from his small beginning he made his
way unaided to wealth and prominence.
In 1869 he was admitted to the bar, and
in the following year he married the
daughter of Mr.. Tuttle.
Mr.. Hobart made his way rapidly at
the bar of his native state, and his bent
led him early into politics. In 1871 he
was made city counsellor of Paterson,
and IN 1872 was elected to the state as
sembly OF which body he was chosen
speaker the following year Even dur
ing those earlv years he displayed that
accurate knowledge of men and exhib
tied that wonderful executive ability
which where the key of his later sue
cess both in business and politics AT
the end of his second year in the as
sembly he retired to devote himself to
the law and numerous business inter-
ests, with which he had become identi-
fed. But the demands of his party
| would not admit of his rema; ming long
in private 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 Judiciary committee
| and was author of many measures of
Importance, which are now on the
statute books of the State of New Jer-
sey.
His party became more and more
exacLlng in Its demands upon him. He
was recognized as a safe and guiding
hand, and from 1880 to 1891 he was at
the head of the state republican organi-
zation of New Jersey, and, as such,
planned some of the most brilliant cam
palgns conducted by his party. From
| 1884 to 1896 he was a member of the
national republican executive commit
tee, and had much to do with the man
agemeut of the national campaigns
during those twelve years.
During all these years his business
connections became broader and
broader. His keen insight INTO affairs
made his advice and counsel of much
value.
Perhaps the greatest business honor,
which he attained, was his selection as
one of the three arbitrators of the JOINT
Traffic association, composed of thirty
seven of the most prominent trunk
lines of the country Through his busi
ness connections and his law ractice
he built up a large fortune.
After his nomination and election to
the vice presidency on the ticket headed
by Mr. Mckinley he came to Washing
ton and took up his residence in the old
Cameron mansion. adjoining the site
OF the historic old Seward house on
LAFAYETTE square. where Blaine died
The Hobart residence during the past
two years ha, been the scene of many
delightful social affairs Socia lv the
vice president and his charming wife
divided the honors with President anc
Mrs Mckinley. Wee President Ho
bart's genial temperament made hin
very popular, not only in the senate
over which he presided with dignity
and ability. but with all who came II
contact with him Mr.. Hobart left bu
one child, Garrett A jr., a bov of IA
Fanny, girl OF %. died in 1895 in Ital.
while there with her parents.