James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, is one of the most underrated presidents in American history. Yet his untimely assassination, as well as the subsequent infection that claimed his life, loomed dark over his legacy. Born in a Cuyahoga County, Ohio log cabin in 1831, Garfield had hard luck from the start. His father died when he was only 18 months old. That hard luck fell on his mother, Eliza, who had to whip-saw raise five children in impossible circumstances. Through all of these misfortunes, Garfield’s life was characterized by extraordinary accomplishments and an unwavering adherence to his ideals.
Garfield developed into a remarkable young man, bursting with intellect and ambition. A prolific reader, he worked on canal boats to fund his education, eventually advancing to the rank of major general during the Civil War. His conception of the conflict wasn’t just tactical – he fought for a holy war against slavery. Garfield was very much devoted to the Union cause. His political connections tied him inextricably to fellow Ohioan John Sherman, who became a powerful force in post-war political ascendance.
On July 2, Garfield was returning from a college reunion. This incident set off a sad chain reaction in his life. His eventual assassin, Charles Guiteau, shot him after the event at a train station in Washington D.C. Guiteau was a disgruntled office seeker who thought he was entitled to a political appointment from Garfield. As he fell, Garfield cried out: “My God, what is this?” Unbeknownst to them, this moment would spell the beginning of a grueling battle for survival that would later end in heartbreak.
Though he had been expected to eventually recover from his injury, Garfield died of an infection on September 19, 1881. His assassination turned him into the second of four U.S. presidents to be assassinated. This event raised deep alarm over the practice of medicine at the time. In hindsight, historian Candice Millard highlights the unfortunate conditions surrounding Garfield’s treatment: “Can you imagine a more germ-infested environment than the floor of a train station?”
Garfield’s presidency was short-lived but impactful. On January 16, 1883, he signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. This law was enormous in its impact on rooting out corruption in government appointments and clearing the way for future reforms. His dedication to restoring sense and integrity to governance was apparent from the moment he took office. Garfield famously remarked on the nature of presidential ambition: “He used to call it presidential fever because he would watch people he admired change drastically because they wanted the office so much that they were willing to give up their own values.
Garfield’s life story reflects a profound attachment to his origins. He was the last U.S. president to have been born in a log cabin. Their humble origin is a sign of self-made success in America. His life story—from poverty to the presidency—speaks to what can be achieved through grit and determination, tenets that remain a part of today’s American success story.