James A. Garfield

NAME James Abram Garfield

WHAT FAMOUS FOR 20th President of the United States; also remembered as a scholar, soldier, lay preacher, and mathematician. He was assassinated only six months into his presidency.

BIRTH James Abram Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, in a log cabin on a frontier farm in Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The birth occurred in what is now Moreland Hills, Ohio, in the Western Reserve region of northern Ohio. He was the youngest of four surviving children, though sources indicate he was actually the youngest of five children overall.

The circumstances of his birth were humble in the extreme. The cabin where he was born measured 20 feet by 30 feet, was 12 feet high in front and 8 feet in back, and featured puncheon floors, three windows, and unhewn notched logs with spaces filled with mud and clay. This modest dwelling reflected the frontier conditions of 1830s Ohio, where his father had purchased 50 acres in Orange Township in 1829 for $2.00 per acre. (1)

Replica of the log cabin in Moreland Hills, Ohio, where Garfield was born

Weighing 10 pounds at birth, Garfield entered the world during a period when Ohio had been a state for fewer than 30 years and was still considered part of the American frontier. The log cabin birth would later become a significant part of his political narrative, as he was the last U.S. president to be born in such circumstances. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND The Garfield family embodied the struggles and aspirations of early American frontier life. James's father, Abram Garfield, was described as a strong man known for his wrestling abilities. Abram had emigrated to Ohio from New York with his half-brother, Amos Boynton, to work on the Ohio Canal. The two brothers eventually bought land in Orange Township, about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland, where they cleared the wilderness to establish farms.

Abram married Eliza Ballou, whose sister Alpha married Amos Boynton, creating close family ties. Abram was noted as one of the first men who helped dig the Ohio and Erie Canal, demonstrating the family's involvement in Ohio's early infrastructure development. Tragically, Abram died in 1833 when James was scarcely two years old, after becoming ill while fighting a forest fire with his neighbors.

This left Eliza Ballou Garfield as a widow with four children to raise alone: James (the youngest at not quite two), Thomas (ten years old), Mehitabel or "Hitty" (seven), and Mary (four). Eliza courageously decided to run the farm and keep her family together rather than remarrying or separating the children. She was a woman of remarkable strength who would live to become the first mother of a president to attend her son's inauguration, surviving James by seven years.

The family genealogy reveals that James's oldest paternal ancestor in documented records was Edward Garfield, born about 1528 in England. More remarkably, Garfield was a descendant of Pilgrim John Billington, connecting him to the earliest English settlers in America.

CHILDHOOD James Garfield's childhood was characterized by hardship, responsibility, and an insatiable hunger for learning despite crushing poverty. After his father's death when he was just two years old, James grew up in circumstances that demanded early maturity and constant labor.

The family farm required all hands to work for survival. Thomas, the oldest son, and Uncle Amos helped with the heavy farm work, while Eliza sewed for neighbors to bring in additional income. The girls, Mehitabel and Mary, learned to card wool and weave cloth. Young James participated in all the farm chores appropriate for his age, learning the value of hard work from his earliest years.

Despite their poverty, Eliza was determined that James should receive an education. When he was four years old, a log schoolhouse was built on the Garfields' lot, providing James with his first formal educational opportunity. By age fifteen, he was physically capable of doing a man's work and hired himself out to neighbors for various tasks including chopping wood, washing sheep, planting, plowing, and sowing. (2)

Garfield showed an early love for books and reading, which his mother and older brother Thomas encouraged despite some local beliefs that excessive reading, particularly of novels, could be a sign of mental illness. His intellectual curiosity was evident even as a young child, and he demonstrated the quick mind that would later distinguish his academic and political careers.

The harsh realities of frontier life included isolation—their cabin was two miles through thick woods to the nearest road and far from medical care. This isolation, combined with the family's poverty, created a childhood marked by both struggle and the development of exceptional character traits including self-reliance, determination, and intellectual curiosity. 

EDUCATION James Garfield's educational journey represents one of the most remarkable self-improvement stories in American history, transforming him from an essentially uneducated farm boy to one of the most learned presidents ever to occupy the White House.

His formal education began modestly in Ohio's common schools, where he received minimal schooling in the standard subjects of the mid-19th century: reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography. However, his intellectual awakening came after a pivotal experience working on canal boats at age sixteen. After falling ill from canal work and returning home to recuperate, Garfield was persuaded by his mother Eliza and schoolteacher Samuel Bates of the importance of education.

In 1849, with his family's total savings of just $17, Garfield enrolled at Geauga Seminary (later Geauga Academy) in Chester, Ohio. This investment proved transformative—Garfield discovered he was a natural student and quickly became the academy's prize Latin student. At Geauga, he demonstrated remarkable academic ability and formed lasting friendships that would support his future career.

Garfield at 16

From 1851 to 1854, Garfield attended the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute at Hiram, Ohio, a Disciples of Christ academy. He supported himself through various means, including working as a school janitor and part-time teacher. His popularity at the Institute stemmed from both his scholastic ability and his imposing physical presence—he stood almost six feet tall with broad shoulders and commanded automatic respect.

Garfield's intellectual ambitions extended beyond the Eclectic Institute. He saved money to spend his final two years at an eastern college, ultimately choosing Williams College in Massachusetts. He entered Williams in 1854 at age twenty-three as a junior, making him one of the oldest students at the institution. At Williams, he thrived intellectually, relishing opportunities to hear Ralph Waldo Emerson and engaging with the strong personality of the college's president, Mark Hopkins.

He graduated from Williams College in 1856 with honors, being one of only six students in his class to receive such distinction. His academic excellence was comprehensive—he mastered Latin and Greek to such a degree that he could write Latin with his left hand and Greek with his right hand simultaneously.

Following graduation, Garfield returned to the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute as a professor of ancient languages and literature. Within a year, at age twenty-five, he was elected president of the institution, becoming one of the youngest college presidents in American history. Under his leadership, the Institute prospered and evolved from a sectarian academy into an institution welcoming students of all denominations.

Garfield's commitment to education extended beyond his personal advancement. He believed educational curricula should reflect contemporary trends and serve as preparation for successful living. He sponsored teacher-training workshops, conducted seminars on teaching methods and school administration, and developed lectures on American history—a subject not yet included in most American college curricula. (3)

CAREER RECORD  James Garfield's professional career encompassed education, law, military service, and politics, demonstrating his remarkable versatility and leadership abilities across multiple fields.

1856-1861 He taught Greek, Latin, mathematics, history, philosophy, and rhetoric at the Eclectic Institute and served as its principal from 1857 to 1860. 

1859-1861 Entered politics as an Ohio state senator 

1862-1863 During the Civil War, Garfield rose through the ranks of the Union Army. He was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel and saw action in several important campaigns, He was promoted to brigadier general and later to major general of volunteers.

1863-1880 He resigned his military commission in 1863 to take his seat in Congress and served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

APPEARANCE James A. Garfield possessed a commanding physical presence that contributed significantly to his political success and public appeal. Standing six feet tall and weighing approximately 185 pounds, he presented a muscular, robust, and handsome figure that commanded attention in any gathering.

Garfield's most distinctive feature was his disproportionately large head, which housed his formidable intellect. He had a prominent forehead that suggested deep thinking, and his features, while described as plain, were consistently characterized as manly and sensible. His light brown hair was notably bushy and unruly, creating a somewhat wild appearance that became part of his distinctive look. As he aged, his hair began turning gray.

His eyes were a striking steel blue or light blue, often described as penetrating and intelligent. Garfield had an aquiline nose that added to his distinguished appearance. From young adulthood, he wore a full beard and mustache, which was fashionable for the time and enhanced his mature, statesmanlike appearance.

Garfield was left-handed, making him the first left-handed president in American history. His broad shoulders and substantial build reflected his early years of hard physical labor on the family farm and canal work. Despite his imposing size, contemporaries noted that he had "the instincts of a gentleman, though his manners were not polished or elegant".

Garfield in 1881

FASHION James Garfield's fashion choices reflected the formal standards of late 19th-century American political life, though specific details about his personal style preferences are limited in historical records. As a man of his era, he would have adhered to the prevailing masculine fashion trends of the 1870s and 1880s.

Men's clothing in the 1880s was characterized by a long, slender frame, with suits cut closer to the body to create a tall, slim line. The frock coat remained popular during this period, and as a prominent political figure, Garfield would likely have worn such formal attire for official occasions and public appearances.

His most notable fashion statement was his full beard and mustache, which he maintained from young adulthood. This facial hair style was not only fashionable but also politically advantageous, as bearded politicians were common during the post-Civil War era and projected an image of wisdom and gravitas.

During his 1880 presidential campaign, Garfield's image appeared on various campaign materials, including a roller-printed cotton fabric woven with images of both James A. Garfield and his running mate Chester Arthur. Such campaign textiles represented an early form of political fashion merchandising, allowing supporters to literally wear their political allegiances.

As president, Garfield would have been expected to maintain the highest standards of formal dress, including the traditional formal wear required for state functions and official ceremonies. His clothing choices would have been carefully scrutinized as befitting the dignity of the presidential office.

CHARACTER James Garfield possessed a complex and multifaceted character that combined intellectual brilliance with deep emotional sensitivity, ambitious drive with genuine humility, and natural leadership abilities with profound personal vulnerabilities.

Garfield was renowned for his exceptional intellectualism and love of learning. He possessed a sharp mind and demonstrated an insatiable curiosity about diverse subjects, from classical languages to mathematics to theology. His intellectual capacity was perhaps best demonstrated by his ability to write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously, and his original proof of the Pythagorean theorem. This intellectual orientation profoundly influenced his approach to governance and reform.

Despite his intellectual achievements, Garfield was described as good-natured, amiable, and gregarious. He was extremely tactile, enjoying physical contact with friends and characteristically slinging an arm around the shoulders of whomever he was talking to. His personality was marked by openness and supportiveness, making him widely liked by both colleagues and constituents.

Beneath his confident exterior, Garfield struggled with fragile self-confidence throughout his life. As a young adult, he experienced a prolonged period of mental depression that he later referred to as his "years of darkness". Similarly, after his election as president but before inauguration, he was overcome with foreboding, suffering severe headaches and nightmares of being naked and lost.

Garfield demonstrated remarkable empathy and compassion throughout his life. During the Civil War, he showed deep concern for the welfare of his soldiers, often visiting the wounded and ensuring they received proper care. This compassion extended into his political career, where he consistently advocated for civil rights and the welfare of the disadvantaged.

His determination was legendary—rising from poverty through education and hard work exemplified his persistent character. Yet he was notably humble about his achievements, once commenting, "I so much despise a man who blows his own horn, that I go to the extreme of not demanding what is justly my due".

SPEAKING VOICE James Garfield possessed one of the most celebrated oratorical gifts in 19th-century American politics, with his speaking abilities serving as a cornerstone of his remarkable rise from obscurity to the presidency. His voice and speaking style were integral to his political success and public persona.

Garfield's oratorical talents were evident from his college years at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, where he discovered his ability to sway audiences and developed the techniques that would make him one of the most effective political speakers of his era. His commanding physical presence—standing nearly six feet tall with broad shoulders and a massive head—naturally drew attention when he spoke.

His speaking style was characterized by clear, ringing tones that could command attention in large gatherings. During the 1880 presidential campaign, when the Fisk Jubilee Singers visited his Mentor home, Garfield demonstrated his vocal power by addressing the assembled crowd "with clear, ringing tones" that effectively conveyed his message about civil rights and political unity.

Garfield's reputation as perhaps the Republican Party's greatest orator of the 1870s was well-established before his presidential campaign. His speeches were known for their intellectual depth, emotional resonance, and persuasive power. The 1880 Republican National Convention provided perhaps the most famous example of his oratorical impact—his speech nominating John Sherman was so compelling that the delegates instead began chanting for Garfield himself to be the presidential nominee.

His speaking abilities were both a strength and potential weakness. While his eloquence opened doors and won supporters, he sometimes enjoyed speaking too much, occasionally delivering more than forty speeches in a single day in Congress. This prolific speaking style reflected both his comfort with public address and his genuine enthusiasm for debate and discussion.

The content of Garfield's speeches demonstrated his classical education and broad intellectual interests. His addresses frequently incorporated literary references, historical analogies, and philosophical arguments that reflected his deep learning and ability to connect complex ideas with practical political concerns.

SENSE OF HUMOUR James Garfield possessed a well-developed sense of humor that served as both a personal coping mechanism and a political tool throughout his life. His wit and ability to find levity in difficult situations contributed significantly to his popularity and effectiveness as a leader.

Garfield's humor was perhaps most famously displayed in his choice of pet names. He named his dog "Veto", which served as both a playful joke and a subtle political statement. According to historical accounts, "Garfield wanted to remind the rambunctious Congress of 1881 that he might not sign all of the bills it passed". This choice demonstrated his ability to use humor to make serious political points while maintaining a light touch.

Contemporary accounts describe Garfield as someone who was "addicted to telling jokes and had a contagious laugh that lit up everyone around him". His humor appears to have been warm and inclusive rather than cutting or sarcastic, contributing to his reputation as someone who was "a joy to be around if he liked you".

His humorous nature was part of his broader appeal as a public figure. In an era when politicians were often seen as stern and formal, Garfield's ability to combine gravity with levity made him more approachable and relatable to ordinary citizens. This quality was particularly evident during his front porch campaign of 1880, when his warm personality and occasional humor helped him connect with the thousands of visitors who came to hear him speak.

Garfield's humor also served as a coping mechanism during difficult periods of his life, including his struggles with depression in young adulthood and the enormous pressures of public office. His ability to maintain a sense of humor despite facing significant challenges demonstrated his emotional resilience and psychological strength.

RELATIONSHIPS Garfield's most significant relationship was his marriage to Lucretia "Crete" Rudolph, whom he met as a fellow student at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. Their relationship began around 1853 when Garfield noted in his diary that he had been "studying her nature & mind" and questioning "whether she has that warmth of feeling—that loving nature which I need to make me happy".

Their courtship was lengthy and complicated by their contrasting personalities. James was outgoing, social, and emotionally expressive, while Lucretia was more reserved, studious, and emotionally guarded. Both had initial misgivings about their compatibility, with Lucretia fearing their marriage would be based on "duty" rather than love.

They married on November 11, 1858, when both were twenty-six years old. The first five years of marriage were difficult, with Garfield spending long periods away from home—they reportedly spent only twenty weeks together during those years. The marriage was further tested when Garfield had an extramarital affair with a New York woman named Lucia Calhoun. However, he later admitted the affair, and Lucretia forgave him.

The relationship transformed after 1863 following the death of their daughter Eliza Arabella. Garfield swore off womanizing, and the couple grew much closer. In a letter from December 1867, Garfield wrote to Lucretia: "We no longer love because we ought to, but because we do. Were I free to choose out of all the world the sharer of my heart and home and life, I would fly to you and ask you to be mine as you are".

Lucretia Garfield in the 1870s

Garfield and Lucretia had seven children together, though two died in infancy. The surviving children were Harry Augustus (1863-1942), James Rudolph (1865-1950), Mary "Mollie" (1867-1947), Irvin McDowell (1870-1951), and Abram (1872-1958). Garfield was described as a kind but strict father who brought his family to Washington during legislative sessions.

Garfield maintained an exceptionally close relationship with his mother, Eliza, who had raised him after his father's death. He personally carried his physically frail mother up and down the White House stairs during his presidency. Eliza became the first mother of a president to attend her son's inauguration and survived him by seven years.

Throughout his career, Garfield cultivated important relationships within the Republican Party and beyond. His "Hiram circle" of Disciples of Christ colleagues served as associates and supporters throughout his political rise. He developed close working relationships with various political figures, though he also faced significant conflicts, particularly with Senator Roscoe Conkling over patronage appointments.

Garfield was naturally gregarious and formed lasting friendships throughout his life. His extremely tactile nature—he liked to hug and stroke friends and characteristically put his arm around shoulders when talking—reflected his need for human connection. 

MONEY AND FAME James Garfield's relationship with money and fame reflected his humble origins and principled approach to public service, though his financial circumstances improved significantly throughout his career while his fame grew gradually through achievement rather than self-promotion.

Garfield was born into extreme poverty and remained financially challenged for much of his early life. His family's entire savings amounted to just $17 when they invested in his education at Geauga Seminary. This modest sum represented nearly their total financial resources, highlighting the family's desperate financial circumstances.

As an adult, Garfield is listed among the five poorest U.S. presidents in terms of personal wealth. His early years were defined by the necessity of working various odd jobs—from carpentry to janitorial duties—to fund his education. Even as his career advanced to college president and decorated military officer during the Civil War, his financial rewards remained modest compared to modern standards.

Garfield's congressional salary, while respectable for the era, fell short of what many modern leaders earn when adjusted for inflation. His service in Congress for eighteen years, though highly respected, offered compensation that was adequate but not enriching. (4)

Despite his modest beginnings, Garfield made strategic investments that improved his family's financial position. In 1876, he purchased the Dickey farm in Mentor, Ohio, paying $17,500 for 120 acres and later adding another 40 acres. This substantial investment demonstrated his growing financial stability and desire to provide a permanent home for his large family.

The Mentor property, which became known as "Lawnfield" during his presidential campaign, represented both a practical investment and a political necessity. He needed a residence in his congressional district after redistricting removed his traditional base of support. The property also allowed him to teach his sons about farming while providing a summer residence during congressional recesses.

Garfield maintained a complex relationship with fame throughout his life. Despite his remarkable achievements, he was notably modest about self-promotion. He once commented, "I so much despise a man who blows his own horn, that I go to the extreme of not demanding what is justly my due". This principle of refraining from self-aggrandizement became a guiding philosophy throughout his career.

Rather than actively seeking fame, Garfield believed in destiny and preferred to "drift with the tide of fortune rather than take the initiative and oppose it". He was convinced he was "destiny's child, marked out for some special purpose," but he chose to place his career "in the hands of his destiny" rather than aggressively pursuing advancement.

Garfield's assassination cut short any opportunity for him to accumulate significant wealth from post-presidential activities. His death left his widow Lucretia in modest circumstances, though she later received support from Congress and eventually moved to California, where she became financially stable enough to support Progressive and Democratic political candidates.

The Garfield family's decision to donate their Mentor home and its contents to the Western Reserve Historical Society in 1936 reflected their commitment to preserving his legacy rather than profiting from it. This generous donation ensured that future generations could learn about Garfield's life and achievements.

FOOD AND DRINK  Garfield was notably a picky eater with simple preferences. Historians have identified his three most beloved foods: milk, bread, and squirrel soup. Milk was particularly significant in his diet—it was described as "Garfield's favorite drink" and became even more important during his final illness when milk dipped in bread and soup provided his main nutrition.

His passion for squirrel soup was so pronounced that he commissioned a White House officer to hunt squirrels on the White House grounds, granting special permission for shooting these rodents for his meals. The official White House Cookbook of 1887 included Garfield's squirrel soup recipe, which called for cleaned and quartered squirrels simmered for several hours with potatoes, lima beans, and corn, then served over toasted bread.

Garfield eating squirrel soup by Perplexity

When Garfield took office, he insisted on simple, wholesome food rather than the elaborate European dishes that had characterized previous administrations. Guests at White House dinners sat down to basic, no-nonsense fare such as "Mrs. Garfield's White Loaf Bread" and "Extra-Fluffy Mashed Potatoes". This approach reflected Garfield's belief in nutritious eating over rich, ornate cuisine.

Garfield was among the first presidents to popularize the concept of nutrition, more than 100 years before it became mainstream. His emphasis on healthy, nutritious food represented a stark departure from the previous two administrations, which had served elaborate multi-course state dinners featuring thick sauces, rich desserts, and an abundance of foreign dishes. (6)

Garfield's connection to food extended beyond consumption to production. His Mentor, Ohio farm produced various agricultural products, and he maintained a strong interest in farming throughout his life. This agricultural background influenced both his practical approach to food and his understanding of the challenges facing American farmers.

During his final illness following the assassination attempt, Garfield's diet became severely restricted. Initially, he was able to consume small amounts of milk, broth, bits of beefsteak, and berries, but eventually lost the ability to eat anything substantial. When he could no longer maintain oral intake, his physicians attempted nutritive enemas consisting of egg yolk, bouillon, whisky, milk, and tincture of opium. Despite these efforts, he lost nearly 80 pounds during his final ordeal, dropping from 210 pounds to approximately 130 pounds. (4)

MUSIC AND ARTS James Garfield maintained a sophisticated appreciation for music and the arts throughout his life, reflecting his classical education and intellectual curiosity. His engagement with cultural pursuits extended beyond mere enjoyment to active participation and patronage.

One of the most notable musical events during Garfield's presidency involved the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who visited his Mentor, Ohio home during the 1880 campaign. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were a renowned choral ensemble from Fisk University that toured to raise money for the institution. When they asked to sing for the Republican presidential candidate, Garfield welcomed them warmly.

The performance was deeply moving for all present. According to historical accounts, the audience listened to "vibrant but mournful spirituals" that became increasingly emotional. "Tears were trickling down the cheeks of many of the women, and one staid old man blubbered audibly behind a door". After the performance, Garfield rose and spoke to the crowd about understanding the needs of "a race out of place," demonstrating how musical performances could serve as vehicles for his political and moral messages. (7)

Garfield's home reflected his deep engagement with literature and learning. His Mentor residence featured portraits of writers he respected, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Shakespeare. His personal library was extensive—President Garfield owned approximately 3,000 books, many of which can be found in the Memorial Library that was added to his home after his death.

During his time at Williams College, Garfield had the opportunity to hear Ralph Waldo Emerson speak, an experience that left a lasting impression on his intellectual development. This exposure to major literary figures of the day influenced his appreciation for literature and philosophy throughout his life.

While in Washington, James and Lucretia Garfield actively participated in the capital's intellectual and cultural life. They shared intellectual interests with congenial friends and were regular participants in a locally celebrated literary society. This engagement reflected their commitment to cultural pursuits beyond the demands of political life.

The couple made social calls together, dined with other intellectuals, and traveled in company, becoming nearly inseparable as Garfield's career permitted. Their shared love of learning and culture strengthened their marriage and provided them with a rich intellectual life outside politics.

Garfield's commitment to arts and education extended to his public service. As a former college president and advocate for educational reform, he understood the importance of cultural development in American society. His efforts to promote education included support for teacher training and the development of curricula that would prepare students for meaningful participation in cultural and intellectual life.

LITERATURE  From childhood, Garfield displayed an exceptional fondness for reading and learning. Despite growing up in a frontier environment where some community members believed excessive reading could be a sign of mental illness, his mother Eliza and brother Thomas encouraged his literary pursuits. This early support proved crucial in developing his lifelong passion for literature.

Garfield's early reading interests included history and fiction, particularly stories of the American Revolution and tales of maritime adventure. These early literary preferences influenced his youthful dreams of becoming a sailor and shaped his understanding of heroism and adventure. His exposure to "nautical novels" and works like "the Pirates' Own Book" fired his imagination and contributed to his decision to work on canal boats as a teenager.

Garfield's formal education provided him with extensive exposure to classical literature. At Geauga Academy, he became the prize Latin student, and his studies at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute and Williams College deepened his engagement with Greek and Roman texts. His remarkable ability to write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously demonstrated his complete fluency in classical languages and literature.

Garfield assembled an impressive personal library of approximately 3,000 books, an extraordinary collection for his era. His Mentor, Ohio home featured books in nearly every room, creating an environment that celebrated literary achievement and intellectual pursuits. The variety and scope of his collection reflected his wide-ranging intellectual interests and commitment to continuous learning.

Garfield's extensive literary background contributed to his exceptional abilities as a writer and speaker. His congressional speeches were renowned for their literary quality, intellectual depth, and persuasive power. His personal correspondence, particularly his letters to Lucretia, demonstrated sophisticated literary sensibilities and emotional depth.

NATURE  Born and raised on a frontier farm in Ohio, Garfield developed an intimate understanding of nature from his earliest years. His childhood was spent working the family farm, where he learned agricultural practices and developed a practical appreciation for the cycles of seasonal change and the challenges of rural life. However, despite this agricultural background, he famously "never liked farming" and dreamed instead of maritime adventures.

The natural environment of his youth was characterized by the Ohio wilderness of the 1830s. Historical accounts describe their cabin as being "two miles through thick woods to the nearest road", emphasizing the isolation and wild character of their surroundings. This early immersion in relatively untamed nature provided Garfield with a foundational understanding of the American landscape that would influence his later political perspectives.

Despite his personal distaste for farming, Garfield recognized the importance of agricultural life and sought to pass this understanding to his children. When he purchased the Mentor, Ohio property in 1876, one of his primary motivations was to provide a place where his sons could "learn about farming". This decision reflected his belief that connection to the land was essential for character development and practical education.

The Mentor farm encompassed 120 acres initially, with an additional 40 acres added later. Garfield was actively involved in the farm's operation and used it to teach practical lessons about land stewardship and agricultural production. The farm produced various crops and livestock, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable land use and agricultural productivity.

The design and maintenance of his Mentor property reflected careful attention to landscape design and natural beauty. Historical accounts describe the grounds as featuring spacious areas with many trees and beautiful gardens. The rose gardens on the west side of the property were considered among the finest in the region, demonstrating sophisticated horticultural knowledge and aesthetic appreciation for natural beauty.

Garfield's religious background as a member of the Disciples of Christ likely influenced his understanding of humanity's relationship to the natural world. His theological education and ministerial experience would have exposed him to scriptural teachings about stewardship of creation and humanity's responsibility for the natural environment.

PETS  Garfield's most famous pet was his black Newfoundland dog named Veto. The choice of this name reflected Garfield's characteristic wit and political savvy. According to historical accounts, "Garfield wanted to remind the rambunctious Congress of 1881 that he might not sign all of the bills it passed". The name "Veto" served as both a playful joke and a subtle political message to legislators about presidential prerogatives.

Veto was described as "a true protector" who demonstrated remarkable loyalty and bravery. Two specific incidents highlighted the dog's heroic nature. In one case, Veto held the reins of a valuable horse that was rampaging in the barn, maintaining his grip until human help arrived. On another occasion, when the barn caught fire, it was Veto's barking that alerted everyone and potentially saved lives and property.

Tragically, President Garfield never had the opportunity to exercise his veto power over legislation, as his presidency was cut short after only five months. This ironic circumstance made the dog's name both prescient and poignant. (8)

Garfield and Veto by Perplexity

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Garfield enjoyed a variety of outdoor pursuits that connected him to his rural background and provided physical exercise. Historical accounts indicate he participated in hunting and fishing, activities that were both practical for food procurement and enjoyable for recreation. These pursuits reflected his comfort in natural settings and his appreciation for outdoor skills developed during his frontier childhood.

During his time at Williams College, Garfield engaged in "hunting, fishing, billiards, and drink in moderation", demonstrating his ability to balance serious academic study with recreational activities. His participation in billiards showed his enjoyment of social games that required skill and strategy, while his outdoor activities maintained his connection to nature.

Garfield's physical strength and athletic abilities were well-documented throughout his life. His "commanding physical appearance" and ability to "outrun and outwrestle his schoolmates" made him a natural athletic leader during his college years. These physical capabilities, combined with his serious demeanor, contributed to his popularity and leadership potential among his peers. (3)

His wrestling abilities may have been inherited from his father, Abram Garfield, who was known for his wrestling skills. Like his father, James was "good with his fists and loved the outdoors", suggesting that physical competition and outdoor challenges were family traditions that shaped his character development.

His love of reading extended into his leisure time, with his personal library of approximately 3,000 books providing endless opportunities for recreational learning. Reading served both as professional development and personal enjoyment throughout his life, with books visible in nearly every room of his Mentor home.

Despite his famous dislike of farming, Garfield maintained practical interests in agricultural activities as both educational tools and recreational pursuits. His Mentor farm provided opportunities for hands-on involvement in crop production and animal husbandry. While these activities were partly motivated by his desire to teach his sons about farming, they also provided him with physical activity and practical challenges.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Garfield's most famous scientific contribution was his original proof of the Pythagorean theorem, discovered in 1876 while he was serving as a congressman. This mathematical proof was published in the New-England Journal of Education on April 1, 1876, making Garfield the only U.S. president to contribute original mathematical work to scholarly literature.

The proof, known as "Garfield's proof," uses a trapezoid constructed from two copies of a right triangle to demonstrate that the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of squares of the other two sides. According to mathematician William Dunham, "Garfield's is really a very clever proof", and it appears as the 231st proof in "The Pythagorean Proposition," a compendium of 370 different proofs of the theorem.

Garfield's mathematical approach was both elegant and original, relying on two fundamental geometric principles: the sum of angles in a triangle equals 180 degrees, and the area of a trapezoid equals half the sum of the bases times the height. His proof demonstrated sophisticated mathematical reasoning and geometric insight that reflected his classical education and natural mathematical ability.

Garfield's proof of the Pythagorean theorem features a right triangle within a trapezoid.

Garfield's mathematical abilities proved valuable throughout his political career, particularly in his congressional work on financial matters. He became an expert on fiscal policy and served as chairman of several key financial committees, including the Banking and Currency Committee and the Appropriations Committee. His mathematical competence enabled him to analyze complex budgetary issues and economic policies with unusual precision.

Garfield's approach to problem-solving throughout his life reflected scientific thinking and empirical methods. His extensive reading and intellectual curiosity likely exposed him to contemporary scientific developments and mathematical advances. His personal library of approximately 3,000 books probably included scientific and mathematical works that contributed to his ongoing intellectual development.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY A devout Christian, Garfield was baptized aged 18 into the Disciples of Christ, the faith of his parents, on March 4, 1850, in the icy Chagrin River. A devout Christian, his beliefs provided him with "a sense of self-worth" that would anchor his personal and professional development. The Disciples of Christ, founded in the early 1800s, represented the oldest denomination started on American soil and emphasized restoration of New Testament Christianity.

Garfield's faith was serious and practical. He began preaching while a student at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute and continued in the ministry until he entered Congress in 1863. As an "inspiring and electrifying evangelist," he preached continually during the last of the so-called Great Awakenings—periodic religious revivals that had shaped American spiritual life since colonial times.

Garfield's theological development was closely connected to his educational advancement. At the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, a Disciples of Christ academy, he studied religion alongside classical subjects. His academic excellence and spiritual commitment led to his recognition as "a favorite preacher" among Western Reserve Disciples.

His theological perspective emphasized practical Christianity and social reform. As a member of a denomination that arose on the American frontier, Garfield understood religion as a force for social improvement and individual transformation. His theological training provided him with intellectual frameworks for addressing moral questions and social issues throughout his political career.

Garfield's educational philosophy reflected his theological commitments and belief in human improvement through learning. As president of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, he argued that educational curricula should "reflect the trends of the time and serve as a medium through which students could prepare for successful living".

His teaching style emphasized encouraging students to think independently, reflecting his belief in individual responsibility and intellectual freedom. His approach combined rigorous academic standards with personal attention to student development, creating an environment that promoted both intellectual and character growth. (3)

Garfield's political philosophy was deeply influenced by his religious convictions, particularly his commitment to human equality and social justice. His opposition to slavery reflected his theological understanding of human dignity and divine justice. As a congressman, he argued that "there was a greater need of 'manly men in politics' than there was of preachers", demonstrating his belief that Christian principles should be applied through political action.

His approach to personal morality was serious but not rigid. While he maintained strong religious convictions, he also enjoyed moderate pleasures and social activities. This balanced approach reflected his theological understanding that Christian faith should enhance rather than restrict human flourishing.

Garfield's belief in divine providence significantly influenced his career decisions and personal philosophy. He was convinced that he was "destiny's child, marked out for some special purpose" and preferred to "drift with the tide of fortune rather than take the initiative and oppose it". This philosophical approach reflected his theological conviction that divine providence would guide his path.

POLITICAL CAREER James Garfield’s political career was, in many ways, like his handwriting: dense, eloquent, and a little too quick for the rest of us to follow. Spanning twenty years of what was arguably America’s most combustible century, Garfield’s rise from school principal to President—via war hero, preacher, and sometime mathematical philosopher—reads like a Victorian fever dream of ambition.

He entered politics in 1859, while still serving as principal of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (a title that sounds like it could belong to either a school or a Steampunk novel). Elected to the Ohio State Senate, Garfield quickly became known as a firebrand Republican, full of theological certainty and the kind of oratorical flair that could make even tariff debates seem like moral crusades. His anti-slavery convictions weren’t just political—they were pulpit-ready.

During the secession crisis, Garfield had precisely zero patience for compromise. He argued that the federal government should coerce the South back into the Union, a position about as subtle as a marching band in a library. For him, slavery wasn’t just a policy disagreement—it was the very soul of the conflict. Garfield could be counted on to say the quiet part loudly, and with literary flourish.

In 1862, while still dodging bullets in the Union Army, Garfield was elected to Congress. Lincoln, in one of his better recruiting moments, convinced him to resign his commission, saying (and I’m paraphrasing here), “We can make generals, but we’re running short on good Republicans.” Garfield’s resignation was one of the few times he voluntarily stepped away from a podium.

Over the next 17 years in the House, Garfield morphed from a Radical Republican to a more tempered, fiscally conservative statesman. At first, he pushed aggressively for emancipation and Reconstruction, aligning with radicals who found Lincoln’s pace maddeningly glacial. But with time, Garfield cooled slightly—not his convictions, but his delivery. He supported Johnson’s impeachment, but grew wary of being the guy perpetually yelling in the cloakroom. In short: he traded fire for form.

His committee work read like a greatest hits album of 19th-century policy wonkery. He chaired the Appropriations, Banking and Currency, and Military Affairs committees—jobs that would make most men disappear into the wallpaper. Garfield, however, used his gift for numbers and argument to stand out. He famously opposed unbacked paper money, and you get the sense that if you’d asked him to audit the national debt by candlelight, he’d have smiled politely and gotten to work with a fountain pen.

And oh, the speeches. Garfield could talk. Not just well, but excessively. It was said that he once spoke more than forty times in a single day on the House floor, a number that would have exhausted even the most caffeinated C-SPAN host. His intellect was sharp, his tone professorial, and his ability to dazzle an audience legendary. By the 1870s, even his enemies conceded he was the best speaker in the Republican Party.

Which brings us to the curious incident of the 1880 Republican National Convention. Garfield wasn’t supposed to be a presidential candidate—he was there to nominate someone else (John Sherman, if anyone remembers). But his speech was such a barnburner that the crowd essentially turned on him mid-sentence and began chanting “Garfield! Garfield!” You don’t see that in modern conventions, unless it’s someone handing out free tote bags.

Thus, Garfield became the Republican nominee and, eventually, the 20th President of the United States. His presidency was tragically brief, but politically speaking, he had already lived nine lives—and given about nine thousand speeches.

PRESIDENCY James A. Garfield had the kind of career that makes you wonder if he ever actually meant to have one. If ever there was a man who rose by simply being too smart, too decent, and too accidentally present to be ignored, it was Garfield. He didn’t so much chase the presidency as politely walk past it and get tackled by history.

His improbable ascent came at the 1880 Republican National Convention, which had deadlocked in spectacularly American fashion. The party couldn’t decide between Ulysses S. Grant, who wanted a third term like it was a free refill, and James G. Blaine, a man with so many scandals orbiting him he should’ve had moons. On the 36th ballot—yes, the thirty-sixth—delegates began chanting for Garfield, who had come only to nominate someone else. You can almost imagine him blinking in confusion: “Who, me?” And yet, there he was—swept into the candidacy like a well-dressed bystander caught in a parade.

Garfield’s campaign style was as quietly groundbreaking as it was logistically convenient. Rather than gallivanting across the country (a vulgar activity for presidential candidates in those days), he conducted what became known as the first successful "front porch campaign." From his home in Mentor, Ohio, he welcomed about 17,000 visitors—who were often treated to a speech, a handshake, and possibly a glass of lemonade, depending on the weather and the size of the crowd. It was a masterclass in dignified accessibility, and it worked brilliantly.

Once in office, Garfield made it his mission to remind everyone that the president wasn’t just a glorified autograph signer. He moved decisively to reassert presidential authority, particularly over the sprawling mess that was the New York Customs House—essentially the 19th-century equivalent of a billion-dollar vending machine for political favors. When Senator Roscoe Conkling tried to block Garfield’s nomination of William H. Robertson to a key post there (mostly because he hadn’t been asked first), Garfield refused to back down. The showdown ended with Conkling storming out of the Senate and Garfield quietly redefining the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

Civil service reform was another priority. Garfield didn’t live long enough to see it fully realized, but his push for a merit-based system paved the way for the Pendleton Act of 1883, which finally ended the charming but catastrophic habit of awarding federal jobs to whichever cousin or drinking buddy showed up first.

Garfield’s moral convictions were not for show. In his inaugural address, he declared that America could not sustain a “permanently disenfranchised peasantry”—a not-so-subtle reference to the treatment of African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South. He called for a publicly funded universal education system and appointed formerly enslaved Americans—including the indomitable Frederick Douglass—to prominent positions. This was not performative politics. It was the quiet, steadfast work of a man who believed the presidency should mean something.

Though his time in office was heartbreakingly short (just six and a half months), Garfield managed to do what many presidents never manage with eight years and a parade of advisors: he led with clarity, humility, and purpose. A colleague once described him as a “pathologically reasonable person in an irrational time,” which is perhaps the finest backhanded compliment in political history.

In the end, Garfield left behind a presidency defined not by scandal or stasis, but by thoughtful action and lasting influence. He showed that principled compromise was not weakness, and that dignity, even in politics, was not a relic of the past. One gets the impression that, had he lived, he might’ve turned out to be one of the greats—not by shouting louder, but simply by continuing to be the sanest man in the room.

SCANDAL James Garfield's political career was marked by one significant scandal that threatened his reputation and presidential ambitions: his alleged involvement in the Crédit Mobilier affair, a railroad construction and bribery scandal that emerged during the early 1870s.

The Crédit Mobilier scandal centered on the construction of the transcontinental railroad and involved a complex scheme to defraud the U.S. government. The Union Pacific Railroad created a subsidiary construction company, Crédit Mobilier of America, which was then awarded contracts to build the railroad at inflated prices. Though the railroad cost only $50 million to build, Crédit Mobilier billed $94 million, with Union Pacific executives pocketing the excess $44 million.

To prevent congressional investigation, Congressman Oakes Ames distributed discounted Crédit Mobilier stock to fellow legislators. Ames assured recipients that the investment was "a diamond mine" and promised to pay for shares out of dividends if congressmen couldn't afford the purchase price. The scheme was extraordinarily profitable, with Crédit Mobilier paying dividends of 348% in one year and five dividends totaling 805% in another.

Garfield's name appeared on Oakes Ames's list of congressmen who had received or were to receive discounted stock shares. When the scandal broke in 1872 through publication of Ames's letters in the New York Sun, Garfield faced serious allegations that could have destroyed his political career.

On January 14, 1873, Garfield appeared before a House investigating committee and testified under oath that he "never owned, received, or agreed to take any stock of the Credit Mobilier or of the Union Pacific Railroad, nor any dividends or profits arising from either of them". His testimony was considered "clear and conclusive" by committee members.

The scandal caused Garfield considerable personal anguish. In his diary entry for January 14, 1873, he wrote: "I am too proud to confess to any but my most intimate friends how deeply this whole matter has grieved me. While I did nothing in regard to it that can be construed into any act even of impropriety much less than corruption, I have still said from the start that the shadow of the cursed thing would cling to my name for many years".

Despite his denial of wrongdoing, Garfield recognized the political danger the allegations posed. He feared that even unproven accusations could permanently damage his reputation and limit his future political prospects.

During his 1880 presidential campaign, Garfield actively defended himself against the Crédit Mobilier allegations. He cited a statement by Senator Allen Thurman, who had reviewed the evidence and concluded: "Oakes Ames swears that Garfield got ten shares and Garfield says that he did not do anything of the kind. There was a good deal of talk but no proof against him, and I am compelled to say that Garfield gets out of it better than anybody else, and on the whole, there was not sufficient evidence to fasten the corruption at his door".

Legal expert Jeremiah S. Black, who had studied the case, concluded that while "Ames was guilty of offering a bribe," because "Garfield had not known bribery to be Ames's purpose, Garfield was not guilty of receiving a bribe". The Department of Justice investigation found no grounds for criminal charges against any of the participants.

While the scandal damaged several political careers—Vice President Schuyler Colfax was denied renomination because of it—Garfield survived the controversy with his reputation largely intact. His clear testimony and the lack of concrete evidence against him allowed him to continue his congressional career and ultimately win the presidency in 1880.

The scandal did create lasting political vulnerability, however. Throughout his career, opponents occasionally raised the Crédit Mobilier allegations, forcing Garfield to repeatedly defend his integrity and explain his role in the affair.

Below is an editorial cartoon where Uncle Sam directs U.S. Senators and Representatives implicated in the Crédit Mobilier scheme to commit Hara-Kiri.

MILITARY RECORD  When the Civil War began in April 1861, Garfield was serving as president of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute and as a part-time Ohio State Senator. Despite having no military training or experience, he was convinced of his obligation to serve the Union cause. He initially sought command of a regiment, telling his roommate Jacob Cox, "I am big and strong, and if my relations to the church and the college can be broken, I shall have no excuse for not enlisting".

After an unsuccessful attempt to be elected colonel of the 7th Ohio Regiment, Garfield received an offer from Ohio Governor William Dennison to serve as lieutenant colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He accepted the commission in August 1861 and immediately began recruiting soldiers to fill the regiment, drawing heavily from his former students at the Eclectic Institute.

Garfield's first major responsibility was organizing and training the 42nd Ohio, which "existed only on paper" when he received his commission. Despite his lack of military experience, he proved to be a quick and resourceful study. His commanding physical presence—nearly six feet tall with broad shoulders—and his natural leadership abilities quickly earned the respect of his men.

Company A was filled almost entirely with Eclectic Institute students who were loyal to their former principal. This personal connection provided Garfield with a solid foundation of support and demonstrated his ability to inspire confidence in those who knew him best. Within a few weeks of his appointment, Garfield was promoted to full colonel of the regiment.

Garfield's first major military success came at the Battle of Middle Creek in January 1862, an engagement that earned him national recognition and launched his political career. The 30-year-old Colonel Garfield arrived at the mouth of Abbott's Creek in Floyd County, Kentucky, on January 9, 1862.

Fighting through thick mountain fog on January 10, Garfield's troops battled Confederate Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall's forces west and south of the creek. The engagement began at noon and continued until 5 p.m., when Garfield reported that "the rebels had been driven from the slopes at every point". This victory was particularly significant because it occurred during a period of low Union morale and provided much-needed good news for the Northern cause.

The success at Middle Creek earned Garfield promotion to brigadier general and command of the 20th Brigade. This victory was later called "the battle that made a presidency" because it established Garfield's national reputation and provided the foundation for his subsequent political career.

Following his promotion, Garfield commanded the 20th Brigade in the Army of the Ohio and later served with the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, arriving late in the engagement as the Confederate forces were already retreating. Despite the limited action he saw at Shiloh, Garfield was profoundly affected by the carnage, writing to his wife: "The horrible sights I have witnessed on this field I can never describe. No blaze of glory that flashes around the magnificent triumphs of war can ever atone for the unwritten and unutterable horrors of the scene of carnage".

After Shiloh, Garfield contracted camp fever and dysentery, forcing him to take medical leave to recuperate. During this period, his name was brought forward as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, a race he won on the Republican ticket while still serving in the military.

Garfield's most significant military role came when he served as chief of staff to Major General William S. Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland. In this position, he was largely responsible for planning the Tullahoma Campaign, an almost bloodless operation that outflanked Confederate General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee and sent it retreating to Chattanooga.

His finest military moment came at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. When the Army of the Cumberland was being routed, Garfield undertook a bold ride under heavy Confederate fire to deliver crucial orders and information to Major General George H. Thomas, who was holding a defensive position and desperately needed communication with army headquarters.

This action was particularly impressive because General Rosecrans had already ordered a general withdrawal, but Garfield recognized that Thomas was still fighting and needed support. His courageous ride through enemy fire helped coordinate the defense that earned Thomas the nickname "the Rock of Chickamauga" and prevented the Union defeat from becoming a complete disaster.

By September 1863, Garfield had been promoted to major general of volunteers, making him one of the youngest generals in the Union Army. This rapid advancement from lieutenant colonel to major general in just over two years demonstrated both his military competence and his ability to adapt quickly to new challenges.

However, Garfield's military career was already being overshadowed by his political future. He had been elected to Congress in October 1862 while still serving in the army. President Lincoln personally persuaded him to resign his military commission in December 1863 to take his seat in the House of Representatives, arguing that effective Republicans in Congress were harder to find than capable generals.

Garfield's military service established his credentials as a war hero and provided him with practical leadership experience that proved invaluable in his subsequent political career. His rapid advancement and battlefield courage demonstrated his ability to master new challenges and lead effectively under pressure.

His military experience also deepened his commitment to civil rights and Reconstruction policies. Having fought to preserve the Union and end slavery, he brought a veteran's perspective to congressional debates about the war's aftermath and the treatment of freed slaves. His military service provided moral authority for his political positions and enhanced his credibility with both fellow veterans and the general public.

Garfield as a brigadier general during the Civil War

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS James Garfield generally enjoyed robust health throughout most of his life, possessing the physical strength and endurance necessary for his demanding career in education, military service, and politics. However, his life was marked by several significant health challenges, culminating in the medical ordeal that followed his assassination.

Garfield's most serious health crisis as a young man occurred during his brief period working on canal boats at age sixteen. Historical accounts note that he "fell into the canal some 16 times and contracted malaria in the process". This experience left him seriously ill with fever, forcing him to return home to recuperate. The illness was sufficiently severe that it convinced him to abandon his dreams of maritime life and pursue education instead.

This early bout with malaria appears to have been resolved completely, as there are no subsequent references to recurring symptoms. The experience served as a pivotal moment in his life, redirecting his ambitions from physical labor toward intellectual pursuits.

During his Civil War service, Garfield experienced several health challenges typical of military life in that era. After the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, he "succumbed to camp fever and dysentery," which forced him to take medical leave to recuperate. These conditions were common among Civil War soldiers due to poor sanitation and inadequate medical care in military camps.

Despite these temporary setbacks, Garfield's overall military health was sufficiently good to allow him to continue active service and achieve rapid promotion. His physical stamina was demonstrated by his famous ride under enemy fire at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, an action that required both courage and physical endurance.

Throughout his eighteen years in Congress (1863-1880), Garfield generally maintained good health, though he occasionally complained of physical ailments during periods of overwork. His health was described as "generally sound, except during periods of overwork, when he complained of body aches and indigestion".

The demands of his congressional schedule, which sometimes included speaking on the House floor more than forty times in a single day, would have required considerable physical stamina. His ability to maintain such a demanding schedule while serving on multiple committees and conducting extensive correspondence suggests robust overall health.

The most dramatic and tragic chapter of Garfield's health history began on July 2, 1881, when he was shot by assassin Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railway Station in Washington, D.C.. The shooting itself was not immediately fatal—the bullet lodged in fatty tissue behind his pancreas without severing major organs.

However, the medical treatment Garfield received was tragically inadequate by modern standards. His doctors, led by Dr. D. Willard Bliss, repeatedly probed the wound with unwashed hands and unsterilized instruments, likely introducing infections that proved more dangerous than the original bullet wound. As one medical historian noted, "Had the responding physicians done nothing more than make Garfield comfortable, he almost certainly would have survived".

Garfield's final illness lasted 80 days, during which his condition steadily deteriorated. Initially, he could consume small amounts of milk, broth, and light foods, but eventually lost the ability to eat anything. His weight dropped catastrophically from 210 pounds to approximately 130 pounds, representing a loss of nearly 40% of his body weight.

The medical complications included sepsis (overwhelming infection), suppurative parotitis (infected salivary gland), bronchopneumonia, and sacral bedsores. Modern medical analysis suggests that acalculous cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) may have been a contributing factor. His physicians attempted nutritive enemas when he could no longer eat, but these provided no real nutrition.

In early September 1881, Garfield was transported by special train to a cottage in Elberon, New Jersey, in hopes that ocean air might aid his recovery. However, his condition continued to deteriorate, and he died there. (4)

Garfield's death became a landmark case in American medical history, representing the dangers of pre-antiseptic medical practice. His case was extensively documented and debated, contributing to growing acceptance of antiseptic surgical techniques and sterile medical procedures. The tragedy demonstrated how even relatively minor wounds could become fatal when treated with contaminated instruments and unwashed hands.

HOMES Garfield's first home was the log cabin where he was born on November 19, 1831, in Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The original cabin measured 20 feet by 30 feet, was 12 feet high in front and 8 feet in back, and featured puncheon floors, three windows, and unhewn notched logs with spaces filled with mud and clay. His father Abram had purchased 50 acres in Orange Township in 1829 for $2.00 per acre and built the cabin with help from neighbors, especially the Boynton family.

The cabin represented typical frontier construction, though it was technically a "log house" rather than a true log cabin because it had windows and floors. The family lived in this modest dwelling until 1846, when they built a frame house at another location. Today, a replica of this cabin stands in Moreland Hills, Ohio, built in 1999 using logs from a horse barn dating from 1830-1840.

After Abram Garfield's death in 1833, Eliza continued to maintain the family farm with her four children. The isolated location—two miles through thick woods to the nearest road—emphasized the frontier character of their living situation. The family's poverty meant that their housing remained modest throughout Garfield's childhood and adolescence.

During his educational years, Garfield lived in various boarding situations while attending Geauga Seminary and the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. These temporary residences reflected the common practice of students living away from home during their academic pursuits.

When Garfield returned to the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute as a teacher and later as president, he would have maintained a residence in Hiram, Ohio. As college president at age twenty-five, he would have been provided with appropriate housing befitting his position as head of the institution. His marriage to Lucretia Rudolph in 1858 marked the beginning of his independent household establishment.

During his eighteen years in Congress (1863-1880), Garfield maintained residences both in Washington, D.C., and in Ohio. His family moved to Washington during legislative sessions, where they participated actively in the capital's intellectual and cultural life. The Garfields rented appropriate housing that allowed them to entertain and participate in the social obligations of congressional life.

Garfield's most famous residence was the property he purchased in Mentor, Ohio, in 1876. He bought the 120-acre Dickey farm for $17,500 and later added another 40 acres. This substantial investment represented his growing financial stability and desire to provide a permanent family home.

The original farmhouse contained nine rooms, but Garfield immediately began renovations to accommodate his large family. In 1880, he added eleven rooms to the building, creating a substantial residence suitable for his presidential ambitions. The property became known as "Lawnfield" during the 1880 presidential campaign when reporters covering his front porch campaign playfully dubbed it with this name.

The Mentor estate served multiple purposes for the Garfield family. It provided a place where his sons could learn farming, offered a summer residence during congressional recesses, and became the base for his innovative presidential campaign. The grounds featured beautiful gardens, with rose gardens on the west side considered among the finest in the region. (1)

Garfield's Mentor home by Tim Evanson from Cleveland Heights, Ohio,

Garfield's tenure in the White House lasted only from March 4, 1881, until his death in September 1881. The first family that moved into the presidential mansion included his wife Lucretia, their five surviving children (ranging in age from 9 to 19), his elderly mother Eliza, and their dog Veto.

The White House provided Garfield with his first opportunity in years to have his entire family nearby on a daily basis. As he once wrote, "It is a pity that I have so little time to devote to my children," so he saw the presidential residence as a blessing that kept his family close despite his demanding schedule.

After Garfield's assassination, his widow Lucretia made significant modifications to the Mentor home. In 1885, she and the family added the Memorial Library wing, creating what became the first presidential library in American history. This addition was designed to house Garfield's extensive collection of approximately 3,000 books and preserve his papers and correspondence.

Lucretia continued to live in the Mentor home at least part of every year until her death in 1918. The property remained in family hands until 1936, when Garfield's children donated the house and its contents to the Western Reserve Historical Society for use as a museum. In 1980, Congress designated the property as a National Historic Site.

TRAVEL Garfield's first major travel experience came at age sixteen when he ran away from home to work on canal boats operating between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. This maritime employment represented his initial exposure to travel beyond his immediate rural community. During his six weeks on the boats, the physically challenging work and his repeated falls into the canal (reportedly fourteen times) left him seriously ill and convinced him to return home.

Garfield's pursuit of higher education required significant travel for someone of his economic circumstances. His attendance at Geauga Seminary in Chester, Ohio, represented his first extended period away from home. Later, his enrollment at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute in Hiram, Ohio, involved additional travel and residence away from his family farm.

His most significant educational journey was his transfer to Williams College in Massachusetts in 1854. This eastward travel to New England exposed Garfield to a different regional culture and educational environment. 

Garfield's Civil War service involved extensive travel throughout the Western theater of operations. His regiment's movements included deployment to eastern Kentucky for the Battle of Middle Creek in January 1862, followed by service in Tennessee and participation in the Battle of Shiloh.

Garfield's eighteen years in Congress (1863-1880) established regular travel patterns between his Ohio home and Washington, D.C.. During this period, the family typically spent legislative sessions in Washington and returned to Ohio during congressional recesses. This bicoastal lifestyle was common among congressmen but required significant time and expense for travel.

Garfield's 1880 presidential campaign was revolutionary precisely because it minimized traditional campaign travel. Instead of the exhausting nationwide speaking tours that characterized many political campaigns, Garfield conducted the first successful "front porch campaign" from his Mentor, Ohio home.

This innovative approach brought approximately 17,000 visitors to his property during the autumn of 1880, allowing Garfield to demonstrate his oratorical skills without the physical and financial demands of extensive travel. Delegations from across the country made the journey to Ohio to hear the candidate speak from his front porch.

Garfield's brief presidency limited his travel opportunities, though he did make plans for significant journeys that were interrupted by his assassination. On July 2, 1881, he was at the Baltimore and Potomac Railway Station in Washington, D.C., preparing to travel with his two eldest sons to his class reunion at Williams College in Massachusetts. This intended journey was cut short when Charles Guiteau shot him before he could board the train.

Garfield's last travel occurred during his final illness when he was transported by special train from Washington to Elberon, New Jersey, in early September 1881. This journey was undertaken in hopes that ocean air might aid his recovery. The railroad company laid temporary tracks directly to the door of the beach cottage where he would spend his final days, demonstrating the extraordinary efforts made to accommodate the dying president's medical needs. (4)

DEATH On July 2, 1881, just four months into his presidency, Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railway Station in Washington, D.C.. Garfield was at the station with his two eldest sons, 17-year-old Harry and 16-year-old Jim, preparing to travel to his class reunion at Williams College in Massachusetts. They never boarded the train.

Guiteau, a mentally unstable office-seeker who had been denied a government position, approached Garfield and fired two shots from behind. One bullet grazed his arm, but the second entered his back and lodged in fatty tissue behind his pancreas. Guiteau immediately surrendered, declaring, "I am a Stalwart. Arthur is now president of the United States".

The initial medical response to Garfield's shooting was swift but ultimately harmful. Dr. D. Willard Bliss, a former Civil War surgeon, took charge of the president's care. Bliss and other physicians immediately began probing the wound with unwashed hands and unsterilized instruments, a practice that was standard at the time but which likely introduced fatal infections.

According to medical historians, "Had the responding physicians done nothing more than make Garfield comfortable, he almost certainly would have survived". The bullet wound itself was not immediately life-threatening, but the medical interventions that followed proved catastrophic.

Garfield's struggle for survival lasted 80 agonizing days, during which his condition became a matter of intense national interest. The case was "the first medical case that was consistently reported in the lay press and the medical literature", making Garfield's physicians national celebrities who were constantly questioned by reporters about his condition.

Initially, Garfield could consume small amounts of milk, broth, bits of beefsteak, and berries. However, his condition steadily deteriorated as infections took hold. The doctors' repeated probing widened the original three-inch wound into a 20-inch-long incision extending from his ribs to his groin. This massive wound became "a super-infected, pus-ridden, gash of human flesh".

As his condition worsened, Garfield developed multiple serious complications. He suffered from sepsis (overwhelming infection), suppurative parotitis (infected salivary gland), bronchopneumonia, and sacral bedsores. His temperature fluctuated wildly, he experienced severe chills and increasing confusion.

When Garfield could no longer eat, his physicians attempted nutritive enemas consisting of egg yolk, bouillon, whisky, milk, and tincture of opium. However, these provided no real nutrition, and "in spite of all our efforts to nourish the President, he is emaciating so rapidly that it is distressing to look at him". His weight dropped from 210 pounds to approximately 130 pounds.

In early September 1881, recognizing that the hot Washington summer was making his condition worse, Garfield requested to be moved to the seaside. A specially outfitted train transported him to Elberon, New Jersey, where temporary railroad tracks were laid directly to the door of his beach cottage. The hope was that ocean air might provide some relief and aid his recovery.

On the evening of September 19, 1881, Garfield's long ordeal finally ended. According to historical accounts, he was "clutching his chest and wailing, 'This pain, this pain,' he died". Dr. Bliss, without the aid of a stethoscope, raised his head from the president's chest at 10:35 PM and announced to Mrs. Garfield and the medical team, "It is over".

The immediate cause of death was likely a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, which caused massive internal bleeding. The autopsy revealed evidence of extensive infection and a large collection of pus that had been nowhere near the bullet's path, confirming that the president had died from complications of his medical treatment rather than the gunshot wound itself. (4)

Garfield's death evoked extraordinary national grief. It was reported that "the nation poured out its grief in greater measure than on the day Abraham Lincoln was buried only sixteen years before". His funeral procession and burial in Cleveland, Ohio, drew massive crowds and demonstrated the deep affection Americans had developed for their martyred president.

The assassin Charles Guiteau was tried, convicted, and executed by hanging, but his claim that "the doctors killed Garfield, I just shot him" contained an uncomfortable grain of truth that influenced medical practice for generations to come.

Garfield's death left his widow Lucretia with five children and modest financial circumstances. His assassination strengthened support for civil service reform, leading to passage of the Pendleton Act in 1883. His brief presidency and tragic death ensured his place in American memory as a figure of unrealized promise and potential greatness cut short by violence and medical incompetence.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA James Garfield's story has attracted significant attention from authors, filmmakers, and media creators, though his relatively brief presidency and the dramatic circumstances of his death have often overshadowed his substantial achievements in other fields.

1. Literary Works and Biographies

Garfield has been the subject of numerous biographical works that have helped preserve and interpret his legacy. Among the most notable modern biographies is Allan Peskin's "Garfield" (1978), which has served as "the standard biography for nearly 50 years" and is acknowledged as foundational to modern Garfield scholarship. The extensive and well-organized collection of Garfield's manuscripts and papers has provided rich source material for biographical research.

Contemporary biographical works include C.W. Goodyear's "President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier" (2023), described as an "ambitious, thorough, supremely researched" work by The Washington Post. This biography has been praised as "the most comprehensive Garfield biography in almost fifty years" by The Wall Street Journal and represents renewed scholarly interest in Garfield's life and legacy.

Candice Millard's "Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President" (2011) has become one of the most popular books about Garfield, focusing particularly on his assassination and the medical ordeal that followed. This work has helped introduce Garfield's story to contemporary audiences and has been praised for its engaging narrative style.

Kenneth D. Ackerman's "Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield" (2003) provides a political thriller approach to Garfield's story, focusing particularly on the dramatic 1880 Republican National Convention and the circumstances surrounding his assassination.

2. TV 

 The Netflix series "Death by Lightning," starring Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon  is based on Candice Millard's book "Destiny Of The Republic" and examines "the rise and eventual assassination of US President James Garfield". Shannon portrays Garfield, while Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau, his assassin.

3. Documentary and Educational Media

The National Park Service has produced official documentary content about Garfield's life and legacy. The park film at James A. Garfield National Historic Site "provides viewers with an in-depth look at the life and accomplishments of the nation's 20th President". This 18-minute biographical film is regularly shown to visitors and provides a comprehensive overview of his remarkable journey from log cabin to White House.

Educational content about Garfield appears in various historical documentaries and television programs focusing on American presidents or the Gilded Age period. His assassination is frequently featured in documentaries about presidential security and medical history.

4. Digital and Online Presence

Garfield's papers and correspondence are now available online through the Library of Congress digital collections, making his extensive writings accessible to researchers and the general public. This digital archive includes approximately 80,000 items spanning from 1775 to 1889, providing comprehensive documentation of his life and career.

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site maintains active digital outreach through virtual tours and online educational programs. These digital resources help make Garfield's story accessible to audiences who cannot visit the physical site in Mentor, Ohio.

5. Academic and Scholarly Media

Garfield's mathematical contributions, particularly his proof of the Pythagorean theorem, appear in numerous mathematical textbooks and educational videos. Khan Academy and other educational platforms feature content about "Garfield's proof," ensuring that his mathematical legacy reaches new generations of students.

His role in the Disciples of Christ denomination has been featured in religious and historical publications focused on American religious movements. Academic conferences and scholarly publications continue to examine various aspects of his life and career.

6. Historical Commemoration and Museums

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site serves as a primary center for preserving and interpreting his legacy. The site features guided tours, museum exhibits, walking paths, and special events that examine various aspects of Garfield's life throughout the year. The Memorial Library wing, added by his family after his death, represents the first presidential library and continues to serve as a research center.

ACHIEVEMENTS Rose from poverty to become President

Distinguished military service in the Civil War

Served 17 years in Congress

Authored an original proof of the Pythagorean Theorem

His assassination indirectly led to civil service reform

Sources (1) Ohio Memory (2) Britannica Kids Students (3) EBSCO Research Starters (4) American College of Surgeons - Garfield Assassination  (5) The Presidential Ham (6) Los Angeles Times (7) National Park Services (8) Presidential Pet Museum