James Abram Garfield facts for kids

James Abram Garfield Facts For Kids -  social studies skills studied in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.

The 20th President of the USA

James Abram Garfield was the 20th President of the United States of America. His tenure of the presidency was short-lived as he was assassinated in the year 1881, a few months after he had assumed the honorable post. Started as the President of his College, he got elected as the Congressman as many as nine times, served as a Military General, later becoming the President of the country.
Early Life
Garfield was born on 19th November 1831. His birthplace was a log cabin in the Orange Township of Ohio. His parents were Abram and Eliza Garfield. He lost his father when he was an infant. As such, he grew up in poverty.
James Abram Garfield went to several different schools during his childhood. He was very good in academics, particularly in Greek and Latin. He had attended the Geauga Academy from 1848-1850 to learn academic subjects. He had met Lucretia Rudolph at this institute, who later became his wife.
After leaving the Geauga Academy, he worked in different capacities for a year. Later, he joined the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute to prepare himself for entrance examinations. He graduated from the Williams College in the year 1856. Later, he joined the Eclectic Institute and went to become its President.
During his days in Williams, he was greatly influenced by the anti-slavery ideologies of the Republican Party. He desired to have a career in politics. Garfield started studying law and got admission to the Bar in the year 1861. During this time, he was called by the local Republican Party to join politics. In the year 1859, Garfield was elected to the State Senate in Ohio, where he served till 1861. Continue reading below>>>

Political Career
Garfield regarded the Civil War “as a holy crusade against the Slave Power.” In August 1861, he joined the Union Army as the lieutenant colonel. Later he got promoted to brigadier general and led the Battle of Shiloh in the year 1862.
In 1862, Garfield was elected to the Congress, where he represented the 19th Congressional District of Ohio. He shifted his base to Washington. Here, he developed a close association with Salmon P. Chase, the Treasury Secretary. Soon Garfield joined the Chase-led Radical Republicans. He was frustrated with the ideologies of the moderates including Lincoln.
Garfield was in support of punishment of rebellious leaders and confiscation of the southern plantations.
Garfield ran for the presidency in the year 1880 and won the elections. He assumed office on 4th March 1881. Within a short tenure, he had achieved several accomplishments.

1. Reasserted presidential authority over the senatorial courtesy in the executive appointments
2. Initiated reforms in the Department of Post Office
3. Energizing the naval power of America
4. Made some notable judicial and diplomatic appointments
5. Supported agricultural technology, civil rights of the African Americans and an “educated” electorate
6. Proposed significant reforms for civil service posts which were made into law during the tenure of his successor

Charles J. Guiteau, who is often described as a dissatisfied office seeker, shot Garfield on 2nd July 1881. He succumbed to his injuries on 19th September 1881, eleven weeks after the incident. He is little-remembered owing to his short-term presidency.