James A. Garfield National Historic Site

From Log Cabin to White House: A James Garfield Biography

By the time of his death at age 49 in 1881, James Garfield had led a remarkably varied life. He had been a teacher, college principal, minister, state legislature, lawyer, Civil War general, congressman, U.S. senator-elect, and president of the United States. Born in Orange Township, Ohio, on November 19, 1831 in a log cabin, he was the youngest of four children born to Abram and Eliza Ballou Garfield, who had carved a farm out of the wilderness frontier of Ohio’s Western Reserve. When James as almost two, his father died, leaving the family poverty-stricken and struggling to survive. At age 16, after failing to become a sailor, James took a job as a canal boat tow boy on the Ohio canals. Dreamy and clumsy, he often fell into the water. His canal career ended abruptly after six weeks when he contracted malaria and had to return home.

Education

In 1851, after spending a year in Geauga Seminary in Chester, Ohio, and being baptized a Disciple of Christ, James entered the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later Hiram College) in Hiram, Ohio. In 1854 he entered Williams College in Massachusetts, where he further developed his oratorical skills and graduated with honors two years later. Garfield’s speaking ability helped him achieve leadership positions, including being appointed principal of the Eclectic Institute in 1857. That same year, he became an ordained minister, and in 1858 he married Lucretia Rudolph. In 1859 he was elected to the Ohio Senate on an anti-slavery platform. While in the senate, he studied law and was admitted to the bar on the eve of the Civil War.

Civil War General

When the Civil War began in 1861, Garfield recruited, trained, and became lieutenant colonel of the 42^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Given brigade command early in 1862, he won minor victories in Kentucky, for which he was promoted to brigadier general. He participated in the Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., and the subsequent advance on Corinth, Miss. In the fall of 1862 his military accomplishments led to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress did not meet until December 1863, so he remained in the army. Serving as chief of staff to Maj. General William S. Rosecrans from February 1863 through the Chickamauga campaign, Garfield earned the rank of major general.

Congressman and President

Garfield’s congressional career began December 7, 1863, and lasted 17 years. As head of the House Appropriations Committee from 1871-75, he excelled at managing the country’s finances, reducing government spending, and fighting inflation. He pushed for civil service reform to end the worst abuses of the patronage system. A scholar at heart, he sought to create a Department of Education and served as a regent of the Smithsonian Institution. Elected to the U.S. Senate in January 1880 he was asked to nominate John Sherman for president at the Republican National Convention in June. When the convention deadlocked, Garfield suddenly found himself the nominee. In November he was elected 20^th president of the United States and moved into the White House. His term, however, was cut short on July 2, 1881, when he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a deranged political fanatic. He died September 19.

A Career Timeline and Chronology

1831 – Born November 19, the last president to be born in a log cabin.

1848 – Works as canal boat tow boy on Ohio canals for 6 weeks.

1849 – Enters Geauga Seminary in Chester, Ohio, March 6.

1851 – Enters Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College) in Hiram, Ohio, August 25.

1854 – Graduates from Eclectic Institute, June 22. Enrolls in Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., July 11.

1856 – Graduates from Williams College, August 7.

1857 – Becomes principal of Eclectic Institute, May. Ordained as minister, September 18.

1858 – Marries Lucretia Rudolph, November 11.

1859 – Elected to Ohio Senate, October 11.

1861 – Admitted to bar, February. Civil War begins, April 12. Appointed Lt. Col., 42^nd Ohio Infantry, mid-August.

1862 – Wins battles at Middle Creek, Ky., January 10, and Pound Gap, Ky., March 16. Promoted Brig. General, January 11. At Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 7. Elected to Congress, October.

1863 – Appointed chief of staff to Gen. William S. Rosecrans, February. At Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 18-20. Promoted Maj. General, September 19. Resigns from army, December 5. Takes seat in 38^th Congress, December 7.

1865 – First appointed to the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents.

1871-75 – Heads House Committee on Appropriations.

1880 – Elected to U.S. Senate, January 6. Nominated for president, June 8. Front porch campaign at Lawnfield, July-November. Elected president, November 2.

1881 – Inaugurated president, March 4. Moves into White House. Shot by Charles Guiteau, July 2. Dies in Elberon, N.J., September 19. Buried in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio, September 26.