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James Abram Garfield is the 20th president of the United States. His time as a president was cut short by his assassination on September 19, 1881. He served the second shortest amount of time as president, behind William Henry Harrison (who only served 1 month). He was born on November 19, 1831, making him 49 when he died. When he was wounded, he was escorted into the White House and given medical care. Unfortunately, he died after three months. Doctors could not find the bullet in his back, and nor could Alexander Graham Bell, who used a metal detector he designed himself.
James Garfield was born in an Ohio log cabin. He was an active reader of adventure novels and wanted to pursue the occupation as a sailor. Instead, as a teen, he had to settle for a position of towing barges up from the Ohio Canal to help support his family, who was impoverished. He attended Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (which is now Hiram College). Then, he spent two years at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. After graduating, he went back to the Eclectic Institute, teaching Greek and Latin. He also taught other subjects. A year later, he became a class president in 1957.
During the Civil War, he fought for the Union and was promoted to major general. As a republican, he went on to represent his home state, Ohio, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the House of Representatives for 18 years, which was from 1863 to 1881. In 1880, a divided Republican Party chose Garfield as the dark horse presidential nominee. After winning the general election, he became president and had his inauguration on March 4, 1881. He spent most of his time as president assembling his cabinet and making other appointments.
Due to the split in the Republican Party, Garfield had to gain the approval of both Stalwarts and Half-Breeds in his appointments. The Half-Breeds were more instrumental in earning his nomination. He appointed their leader, Senator James G. Blaine of Maine, as his secretary of state. He also named other Half-Breeds to important positions. As members of the Stalwarts received less significant posts, the leader, Senator Roscoe Conkling of New York, tried to block Garfield’s nominations. Conkling resigned later on as protest. After about four months, Garfield sought to finally move forward with his plan for civil service reforms and other initiatives. However, an angered attorney who was refused an appointment changed that.
On July 2, 1881, Charles Guiteau fired two shots at Garfield while the president was on his way to a Williams College reunion. As Garfield fell, Guiteau exclaimed, “I am a Stalwart and Arthur is president now!” He was later convicted of the murder and executed by hanging in 1882. As he laid in the White House wounded and almost dead, doctors and Alexander Graham Bell couldn’t find the bullet inside his back. He died from an infection and internal hemorrhage. He was later buried in Cleveland.
In conclusion, James Abram Garfield was a president in the Republican party who had to appease both Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. He was born in Ohio, working hard to support his family. He was a self-made man who was voted to be a class president at the age of 25 or 26. He fought in the Civil War for the Union and was promoted to major general. He went on to the House of Representatives to represent his home state, Ohio. He won the general election and became president, with his inauguration on March 4, 1881. He made political appointments during his time of presidency but was assassinated by an attorney who was refused an appointment. Charles Guiteau fired two bullets into his back, and he was treated in the White House. The cause of death was because of infection and internal hemorrhage.