MR JAMES A. GARFIELD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2321, 25 August 1880, Page 3

MR JAMES A. GARFIELD.

Some particulars of the life of Mr James Abraham Garfield, so unexpectedly chosen as the Republican candidate for the American Presidency, have been published, lie was horn in November, 1881, at a small village called Orange, in the north-eastern part of Cnynahoga county, Ohio, a village at that time of hut a few score inhabitants. His parents were in too humble m position to provide him with anything more than a rudimentary education, and at an early age lie commenced the battle of life for himself in the position of a clayily laborer. After following this occupation for a time he became a driver and then a boatman on the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, and in 184!), with the object of improving his education, attended an academy,and studied with such success that the following winter he undertook the teaching of a district school. Seven years later he had made such progress that he was appointed teacher of languages in the Eclectic Institute of Hiram, Ohio ; the followingyear becoming president of that Institution, which office he held till 18(31. In the meantime, in 1850, lie had been elected a member of the Senate of his native State, and in 18(30 was admitted to the Bar. An ardent supporter of the Union, after the War of Secession had commenced he raised in the autumn of 1861 the 42nd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, of which be was made colonel, and despatched to Eastern Kentucky, where with his own regiment in conjunction with the 40th Oliio Regiment he defeated Humphrey Marshall. Air Garfield further distinguished himself during the war, and was created major-general for gallant and meritorious services on the field of battle.