Chapter L

THE LIFE AND CAREER OF JAMES A. GARFIELD, THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT.

The National Republican Convention of 1880—Nomination of James A.
Garfield as President Hayes’s successor—The History of His
Life—His Humble Home—Death of His Father—Hardship and
Privations of Pioneer Life—Struggles of His Mother to Support
the Family—Splitting Fence Rails with her own Hands—The Future
President’s Early School Days—Working as a Carpenter—Chopping
Wood for a Living—Leaving Home—Life as a Canal Boat Boy—Narrow
Escapes—Beginning His Education in Earnest—School Life at
Chester—How He Paid His Own Way—First Meeting with His Future
Wife—Early Religious Experience—Enters Williams
College—Professor and President—His First Appearance in
Politics—His Brilliant Military Record—His Services at Shiloh,
Corinth, and Chickamauga—His Congressional Career—Republican
Leader of the House of Representatives—He is Elected to the
United States Senate—His Appearance as the Leader of the
Sherman Forces at the Chicago Convention—He is Himself
Nominated amid the Wildest Enthusiasm—An Exciting Campaign—His
Triumphant Election, 588