James A Garfield Facts - Powerful 20th President of USA

James A Garfield Facts, the 20th President of the United States, may not be a household name like Lincoln or Washington, but his life story is packed with remarkable achievements, curious twists, and tragic turns. From his humble beginnings in a log cabin to his untimely death just months into his presidency, Garfield’s journey is one of grit, genius, and historical intrigue.

If you’re looking for interesting facts about James A. Garfield, you’re in the right place. This article explores his birth, education, religion, political rise, and some lesser-known stories that will surprise even the most dedicated history buff.

🔹 Who Was James A. Garfield?

Full Name: James Abram Garfield
Born: November 19, 1831
Birthplace: Orange Township, Ohio (now Moreland Hills)
Died: September 19, 1881
Presidency: March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
Political Party: Republican
Vice President: Chester A. Arthur

James A Garfield Facts – Garfield was the last of the log cabin presidents, a term used for presidents born in humble frontier homes. He was also the only sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives ever elected directly to the presidency.

📚 Education: From Canal Boy to College President

James A. Garfield’s early life reads like a classic American underdog story. He was raised in poverty by a single mother after his father died when he was just 18 months old. As a teen, he worked as a canal boat driver – a dangerous job that nearly killed him when he fell overboard and battled malaria.

James A Garfield Facts – But Garfield had a thirst for knowledge that couldn’t be quenched.

College: He attended the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College) and later transferred to Williams College in Massachusetts.
Graduated: In 1856, Garfield graduated with honors and returned to Hiram College as a professor, eventually becoming its president at just 26 years old.

His background made him a self-made man—earning respect across political and social lines.

✝️ Religion: A Preacher in Politics

Garfield was a devout member of the Disciples of Christ, a Protestant Christian denomination. Before entering politics, he served as a lay preacher and was known for his powerful oratory skills—a trait that would later serve him well in Congress.

James A Garfield Facts – One fascinating fact: he often wrote sermons in Latin and Greek. His mastery of classical languages made him one of the most intellectually gifted presidents in American history.

🎖️ Military Service: Civil War Hero

When the Civil War broke out, Garfield joined the Union Army and quickly rose through the ranks due to his leadership and courage.

Rank: Major General
Notable Battle: Battle of Middle Creek (1862), which helped secure Kentucky for the Union

James A Garfield Facts – Despite having no formal military training, Garfield’s strategic mind and bravery earned him national attention and political momentum.

💡 Did You Know? James A. Garfield Was Ambidextrous… and Bilingual

One of the most interesting facts about James A. Garfield is that he was ambidextrous and could reportedly write in Latin with one hand and Greek with the other—simultaneously. Whether myth or fact, it cemented his reputation as one of the most brilliant minds ever to enter the White House.

🗳️ James A Garfield Political Career: The Reluctant President

Garfield served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was known for his integrity and intelligence. He was a compromise candidate at the 1880 Republican National Convention, winning the nomination on the 36th ballot despite not actively seeking it.

James A Garfield Facts – His presidency was focused on civil service reform, particularly tackling the spoils system, which rewarded government jobs based on political loyalty rather than merit.

🔫 James A Garfield Assassination – Shot by a Madman

Just four months into his presidency, Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker. Garfield didn’t die immediately, he lingered for 79 painful days while doctors probed his wounds with unsterilized fingers and instruments, a prime example of pre-germ theory medical practices.

Ironically, it’s now believed that Garfield could have survived the gunshot if 19th-century doctors hadn’t intervened.

James A Garfield Cause of Death: Infection, not the bullet
Date of Death: September 19, 1881

🧠 Legacy: More Than Just a Footnote

While James A. Garfield’s presidency was tragically short, his life stands as a testament to the American ideal: that anyone, regardless of origin, can rise to the highest office in the land.

Key Contributions:

Advocated for civil rights for African Americans
Supported the gold standard to stabilize the economy
Called for civil service reform, paving the way for future presidents

🏛️ Final Resting Place: The Garfield Monument

Garfield is buried in the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His tomb, the Garfield Memorial, is a national landmark, featuring stained glass, intricate carvings, and a life-size statue of the late president.

It remains one of the most elaborate presidential monuments in U.S. history.

🚀 James A Garfield Facts – Final Thought

James A. Garfield may be one of the least remembered U.S. presidents, but his legacy deserves a second look. A self-made scholar, preacher, general, and reformer, Garfield’s life is a compelling chapter in American history—cut short, but never forgotten.

If you found this article James A Garfield Facts helpful, be sure to share it or check out our other deep dives into presidential history!

James A. Garfield – Quick Facts

Info

Full Name: James Abram Garfield
Nickname: Preacher President
Birthdate: November 19, 1831
Birthplace: Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Political Party: Republican
Religion: Disciples of Christ
Profession Before Presidency: Schoolteacher, soldier, lawyer

Family Background

Father: Abram Garfield
Mother: Eliza Ballou
Siblings: Mehitabel, Mary (sisters); Thomas and James Ballou (brothers)

Marriage and Children

Wife: Lucretia “Crete” Rudolph Garfield
- Married On: November 11, 1858, in Hiram, Ohio
Children:
- Eliza Arabella
- Harry Augustus
- James Rudolph
- Mary
- Irvin McDowell
- Abram
- Edward

Education

District School: Orange Township, Ohio
Geauga Seminary: Chester, Ohio (1849–1850)
Eclectic Institute: Hiram, Ohio (1851–1854)
Williams College: Williamstown, Massachusetts – Graduated in 1856
Legal Education: Independent law study

Military Service

Civil War Veteran: Served from 1861 to 1863
Rank: Colonel, Ohio 42nd Regiment
Resigned: 1863 to serve in Congress

Political Career

Ohio State Senator: 1859–1861
U.S. Representative (Ohio): 1863–1880
20th U.S. President: March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881

James A Garfield Vice President

Vice President: Chester A. Arthur (1881)
First Lady: Lucretia Garfield
Inauguration Date: March 4, 1881, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Age at Inauguration: 49

Key Members of the Garfield Administration

Secretary of State: James G. Blaine
Secretary of the Treasury: William Windom
Secretary of War: Robert Lincoln
Attorney General: I. Wayne McVeagh
Postmaster General: Thomas L. James
Secretary of the Navy: William H. Hunt
Secretary of the Interior: Samuel J. Kirkwood
Supreme Court Appointment: Stanley Matthews (1881)

James A Garfield Assassination and Death

Date Shot: July 2, 1881
Death Date: September 19, 1881, in Elberon, New Jersey
Age at Death: 49
Burial Site: Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio

Historic Sites & Legacy

Presidential Home: Lawnfield, Mentor, Ohio
- Now the James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Birthplace Site: Replica homestead in Orange Township
Burial Landmark: Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio