James Abram Garfield’s life is a story of determination, intellect, and service to his country. Rising from humble beginnings in rural Ohio, he worked tirelessly to educate himself, eventually earning a respected place in academia, the military, and national politics.
Garfield’s achievements as a Union general during the Civil War and his long career in Congress solidified his reputation as a principled leader with a deep commitment to reform and civil rights. In 1880, he unexpectedly became the Republican presidential nominee and was elected the 20th President of the United States.
However, his presidency was tragically cut short when he was assassinated just months after taking office, leaving behind a legacy that helped spark major reforms in civil service and American governance. This timeline follows the key milestones of Garfield’s remarkable life and lasting impact.
| Date | Event |
| 1831 | November 19: James Abram Garfield is born in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), Ohio, to Abram and Eliza Garfield. |
| 1833 | Garfield’s father dies when James is just 18 months old, leaving the family in poverty. |
| 1847–1850 | Worked as a canal boat driver on the Ohio and Erie Canal. The tough job gave him a lasting work ethic but also led to a near-fatal illness. |
| 1851–1854 | Enrolled at Geauga Seminary, Ohio, and later studied at Williams College, graduating in 1856. |
| 1858 | November 11: Marries Lucretia Rudolph, a woman he met during his school years. The couple would have seven children. |
| 1859 | Elected to the Ohio State Senate as a Republican, marking the start of his political career. |
| 1861–1863 | Served in the Union Army during the Civil War, eventually earning the rank of major general for his service at the Battle of Chickamauga. |
| 1863 | December: Garfield resigns from the army after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving for nearly 18 years. |
| 1864–1880 | Garfield gains a reputation in Congress as a financial expert and an advocate for Reconstruction and civil rights policies. |
| 1880 | June: Attends the Republican National Convention intending to support John Sherman but is chosen as the compromise presidential candidate. November: Defeats Democrat Winfield Scott Hancock in the presidential election. |
| 1881 | March 4: Garfield is inaugurated as the 20th President of the United States. He pushes for civil service reform and disputes with Senator Roscoe Conkling over federal appointments. |
| July 2, 1881 | Shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Garfield is seriously wounded but initially survives. |
| July–September 1881 | Battles infections and poor medical treatment. His health deteriorates despite experimental medical efforts. |
| September 19, 1881 | Garfield dies in Elberon, New Jersey, from complications related to the gunshot wound and infections. He becomes the second U.S. president to be assassinated. |
| September 26, 1881 | Garfield is buried in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His death leads to public outcry, ultimately fueling the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. |
Timeline of James Garfield
1831: November 19 – Birth of James Garfield
James Abram Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, in Orange Township, Ohio, which is now Moreland Hills.
His parents, Abram and Eliza Garfield, lived in modest circumstances, and James grew up in a log cabin that symbolized his humble origins. His early years were shaped by the hard work and rural life of the Ohio frontier.
1833: Death of Garfield’s Father
In 1833, tragedy struck the Garfield family when Abram Garfield, James’s father, passed away unexpectedly. James was only 18 months old at the time. This left his mother, Eliza, to raise James and his siblings alone. Despite their difficult situation, Eliza instilled in her children strong values of education and determination, which would define Garfield’s life.
1847–1850: Working on the Canal
As a teenager, Garfield worked as a canal boat driver on the Ohio and Erie Canal. It was a tough job involving long hours and physical labor, steering mules along the towpath and managing cargo.
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During one trip, he nearly drowned after falling into the canal. The experience marked him physically and mentally, leaving him determined to seek a better life through education.
1851–1854: Education at Geauga Seminary and Williams College
Garfield pursued education as a means to rise from poverty. He attended Geauga Seminary in Chester Township, Ohio, where he excelled academically. Later, he enrolled at the Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College) before transferring to Williams College in Massachusetts.
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Garfield graduated in 1856, demonstrating exceptional intellectual abilities and a passion for learning, particularly in the fields of history, literature, and mathematics.
1858: November 11 – Marriage to Lucretia Rudolph
On November 11, 1858, Garfield married Lucretia Rudolph, a woman he had met while attending Geauga Seminary. Lucretia, known as “Crete,” was intelligent, supportive, and a lifelong partner in Garfield’s personal and political life. The couple had seven children together, and their strong bond provided Garfield with emotional support throughout his career.
1859: Elected to the Ohio State Senate
Garfield entered politics in 1859 when he was elected to the Ohio State Senate as a member of the Republican Party. His entry into politics coincided with the nation’s growing tensions over slavery. As a state senator, he advocated for the abolitionist cause and supported policies that aimed to preserve the Union.
1861–1863: Civil War Service and Rise to General
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Garfield left his position in the state senate to join the Union Army. He quickly distinguished himself in battle and was promoted to brigadier general after leading his troops to victory at the Battle of Middle Creek in Kentucky. His leadership at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863 earned him further recognition and a promotion to major general.
1863: December – Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
While still serving in the military, Garfield was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned from the army in December 1863 to take his seat in Congress, where he would serve for 18 years. His experience as a soldier gave him a unique perspective on post-war policies, particularly regarding Reconstruction and the reintegration of Southern states.
1864–1880: Congressional Career and National Prominence
During his long congressional career, Garfield emerged as a key figure in national politics. He served on important committees, including the House Appropriations Committee, and was known for his expertise in fiscal policy, taxation, and government spending. He supported civil rights for freedmen during Reconstruction and opposed corruption in government, aligning himself with the Republican Party’s reform wing.
1880: June – Nominated as Presidential Candidate
Garfield’s national prominence culminated in 1880 when he attended the Republican National Convention to support John Sherman for the party’s presidential nomination. However, after several deadlocked votes, Garfield emerged as a compromise candidate. In November, he won the presidency by defeating Democratic candidate Winfield Scott Hancock in a close election.
1881: March 4 – Inauguration as the 20th President
Garfield was inaugurated as the 20th President of the United States on March 4, 1881. Although his presidency was brief, he immediately took on significant issues. He prioritized civil service reform, seeking to limit the influence of patronage and political favoritism. He also confronted Senator Roscoe Conkling in a battle over control of federal appointments, asserting the power of the presidency.
1881: July 2 – Assassination Attempt
On July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. The shooting shocked the nation and led to an outpouring of support for the president. Although initially surviving the attack, Garfield’s condition worsened due to infection and inadequate medical treatment.
1881: July–September – Struggles with Health
Following the assassination attempt, Garfield endured weeks of suffering as doctors attempted to treat him using unsterile procedures, which exacerbated his infections. Despite the best efforts of his medical team, his health steadily declined. He was moved to the seaside town of Elberon, New Jersey, in a final attempt to aid his recovery, but to no avail.
1881: September 19 – Death of James Garfield
On September 19, 1881, Garfield succumbed to complications from the gunshot wounds and infections. He passed away at the age of 49, making him the second U.S. president to be assassinated, following Abraham Lincoln. His death left the nation in mourning and marked the abrupt end of a promising presidency.
1881: September 26 – Burial and Legacy
Garfield’s funeral took place on September 26, 1881, and he was buried at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His death spurred widespread calls for civil service reform, which eventually led to the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. Garfield is remembered as a leader of integrity whose tragic death highlighted the need for systemic changes in American governance.