The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-11-24
BEGAN LIFE TEACHING SCHOOL

\
BEGAN LIFE TEACHING SCHOOL.
Then Adopted the Law as a Profession
| His Political Career.
Garrett Augustus Hobart was born
in Monmouth county, N. j., June 3,
| 1914. In 1850 he entered the sophie
more class at Rutgers college and was
graduated after three years. He was
now 10 years of age, and took up
school teaching as a means of liveli-
hood. This, however, did not prove
| much to his liking, or in keeping with
his ambition, so he soon dropped it for
! the study of law. He began reading
law in the office of Socrates futile,
who was at that time an eminent mem
Der of the Passaic county bar, and in
1869 he was admitted to practice He
celebrated his admission to the bar by
marrying Miss Jennie futile, daugh-
ter of his preceptor. 1t is said that
young Hobart, when he reached Pat
erson, had only $1.50 as the financial
foundation upon which he, with emf
nent success, built his fortune.
He began the active practice Of his
profession in the Office of his father-in-
law and made rapid advancement. Be-
fore being admitted to the bar he was
clerk of the grand jury, and in 1871 he
became city counsel of Paterson, and
the following year he was made cOun-
sci of the board of chosen freeholders
of Hassaic county. In the tutumn Of
this year he was elected to represent
the Third district of Passaic county in
the state assembly. His canvass was
remarkable, and the district gave him
the largest majority in it's history.
From that time he was recognized as
the Republican leader of Passaic colin-
ty, and soon ranked as one of the fore
most politicians of the state. He was
the author or advocate of a number of
good state laws. The party became
more and eXacting in its demands upon
him. He was recognized as a safe and
guiding hand. He knew men. He
knew the needs of the people he rep
resented. From 1890 to 1891 he was
chairman of the Republican state COM
mittee, and as such planned several Of
the most brilliant campaigns in the
New Jersey. From the state councils
he moved naturally to the national
councils Of his party. In 1884 he be-
came member Of the Republican ma
tional committee.
In 1884 he was defeated for United
States Senator by Mcpherson, the legis-
lature being Democratic. While in the
state assembly, to which he was re-
elected in 1874, he was made speaker.
In 1879 he was elected to the state SEN
ate and in 1881 he was chosen presi-
dent Of that body, to which position he
was reelected in 1882. From 1884 until
1896, when he was nominated for vice
president by the Republican national
convention, he served continuously as
member Of the Republican national
committee. He was elected vice pres
ident in November, 1896. and took the
oath of office March 4, 1897.
At the time Of his election as vice
president he was director in sixty diff
ferent companies. But probably the
greatest business honor which he at
tanned was his selection as one of the
arbitrators of the Joint Traffic associa-
ton, composed Of thirty-seven of the
most prominent trunk lines of the coun-
try. AS presiding officer of the United
States senate he had wide popularity
among both Republicans and Demo
Gratis. He was one Of the ablest and
fairest presiding officers that body had
had for years. He was fond Of his posi-
ton and contrived, through his genial
and forceful personality, to make 1t a
telling part Of the governmental ma
chinery.
He was strong opponent of the
present system of rules In the senate
which permit minority to stop legis-
lation at will.
Hobart's home life was as nearly
ideal as is possible In this world. Mrs.
Hobart is a charming woman and as
popular as was her husband. In Wash
ington they lived in an old-fashioned
but elegant house on the square which
faces the White House-the famous
old Taylor mansion, former home of
Don Cameron. Hobart was a rich man.
He had n genius for moneymaking
and his wealth enabled him to indulge
to the full taste for the artistic which
is shown In the large collection Of fine
paintings which almost cover the walls