Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916

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JaGarfield

Barnard, Photo., 1887.

LAWNFIELD.

LAKE COUNTY.

able for ore and coal docks, lumber yards, warehouses and elevators, iron mills and fac- tories of all kinds, which require large quan- tities of iron, steel and wood. And this har- bor, with its wonderful natural advantages, can be reached by railroads from the Mahon- ing valley at Niles, Ohio, and from the She- nango valley, just above Sharpsville, Pa., on maximum grades not to exceed thirty feet per mile either way, with no costly bridges or earthwork. There is no other direct route for a railroad from the Shenango and Maho- ning valleys to any other lake port at less than seventy-eight feet maximum grade per mile.

"Many now living will see Grand river valley, from 'New Market' to 'Mentor Marsh' (the mouth of the old river bed), a

distance of eight miles, covered with orc, coal and lumber docks, iron mills, elevators and warehouses, and crowded with steamers, vessels and tugs.

"And the prediction is now made that the Grand river valley, including the old river bed in Mentor, will become the centre of the greatest iron and steel manufacturing district in the world, within the next hundred years, as the best iron ores in the world and the best fuel of all kinds will meet there at the cheap- est average rates ; and when made into iron and steel, and the ten thousand forms of fin- ished goods required by the civilized world, the shipping facilities by water and by rail- road to all parts of the globe, taken alto- gether, will be surpassed by no other manu- facturing locality, domestic or foreign."

BIOGRAPHY.

JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD, twentieth president of the United States, was born in Orange, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1831, and died in Elberon, N. J., Sept. 19, 1881. His father, Abram Garfield, was a native of New York and of English Puritan ancestry. His mother, Eliza Ballon, was born in New Hamp- shire and was of Huguenot descent.

In 1830 Abram Garfield removed to the " Western Reserve," to fonnd a home for himself and family in the then "wilderness." Shortly after settling here he died of a sudden attack of fever, and left his wife with four small children. With grand courage and fortitude, the self-sacrificing mother fought against poverty and privation, impressing npon her four children a high standard of moral and intellectnal worth.

At three years of age James Garfield commenced his education in a log hui. From this time on he attended such schools as the district afforded, working at manual labor betimes at home and on the farms of neighbors. He seized with avidity upon all books that came within his reach, and early developed a habit of voluminous reading that remained with him through life. The Bible and Ameri- can history were especially familiar to him. One book of sea tales, which he read while a boy, filled him with an intense desire for the sea, and at sixteen years of age he tried to ship as a sailor on a Lake Erie schooner at Cleveland, but failing in this, he drove for a canal boat for some months, from the coal mines of Gov. ernor Tod at Brier Hill to Cleveland.

At this time Governor Tod, having occasion to visit the boat one Sunday, found all the hands playing cards, except yonng Garfield, who was seated in the forward part of the boat studying United States history. An anecdote of one of his canal boat experiences shows that at this time he was, as in after life, of strong physique, courageous, manly and generous. He had offended one of the canal boatmen, a great hulking fellow, who started to thrash him. Dave rnshed upon him, with his head down, like an enraged bull. As he came on, Garfield sprang to one side, and dealt him a powerful blow just back of and under the left ear. Dave went to the bottom of the boat, with his head between two beams, and his now heated foe went after him, seized him by the throat, and lifted the same clenched hand for another buffet. "Pound the d-d fool to death, Jim," called the appreciative captain. "If he haint no more sense than to git mad at an accident, he orto die." And as the youth hesitated, " Why don't you strike? D-n me, if I'll interfere." He could not. The man was down, helpless, in his power. Dave expressed re- gret at his rage. Garfield gave him his hand, and they were better friends than ever.

In the winter of 1849-50 he attended Geauga Seminary at Chester, Ohio, prac- tising the trade of carpenter during vacations, helping at harvesting, teaching

LAKE COUNTY.

school, and doing whatever came to hand to pay for his schooling. At Chester he first met Miss Lucretia Rudolph, a school teacher, who became his wife, Nov. 11, 1858, at which time he was President of Hiram College. Of this marriage four sons and one daughter were living in 1887.

His early training was strongly religious, his mother being a staunch Camp- bellite, and while at Chester he was baptized and received into that denomination.

In 1851 he entered Hiram College; three years later entered Williams College, from which he graduated in 1856 with the highest honors of his class. He then returned to Ohio as a teacher of Latin and Greek at Hiram College and a year later was made its president.

While acting in the capacity of a very successful educator, he entered his name as a student-at-law in the office of Williamson & Riddle, of Cleveland, Ohio, although studying in Hiram, and in 1858 was admitted to the bar. A year later, without solicitation on his part, he was elected to the Ohio Senate.

In this new field his industry and versatility were conspicuous. He made investigations and reports on geology, education, finance and parliamentary law ; and although at this time it was not believed that the South would take up arms, he was somewhat apprehensive, and gave especial study to the militia system of the State.

The war came, and in August, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

We give a chronological record of Garfield's career ; to give anything like a full sketch would exceed the limitations and scope of our work. His life, however, is such a remarkable example of what may be accomplished by honest, persistent endeavor, by those of the most humble origin and surroundings, that it should be studied in its details by every child in the land :

1831. Nov. 19, born at Orange, Cuyahoga county, Ohio.

1848. Drives for a canal boat.

1849-50. Attends Geauga Seminary, where he meets Miss Lucretia Rudolph, his future wife. Is baptized and received into the Disciples Church.

1851. Enters Hiram College as a student.

1854. Enters Williams College.

1856. Graduates from Williams College with the highest honors of his class. Re- turns to Ohio, to teach Greek and Latin in Hiram College.

1857. Is made president of Hiram College. Preacher in the Disciples Church.

1858. Nov. 11, is united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, at Hudson, Ohio.

1859. Admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus. Elected to the Ohio Senate.

1861. In August commissioned lieutenant- colonel in the Forty-second Ohio Vol- unteers. In December reports to Gen. Buell, in Louisville, Ky.

1862. Out-generals Gen. Marshall and, re- enforced by Generals Granger and Sheldon, defeats Marshall at Middle Creek, Ky., January 10. In recogni- tion of this service is commissioned brigadier-general. April 7, takes part in the second day's fight at Shiloh. Engaged in all the operations in front of Corinth. In June rebuilds bridges on Memphis and Charleston Railroad. July 30, returns to Hiram from ill

health. Sept. 25, on court-martial duty at Washington, and, on Nov. 25, assigned to the case of Gen. Fitz-John Porter.

1863. In Feb. returns to duty in the Army of the Cumberland, and made chief of staff under Gen. Rosecrans. At the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, Gar- field volunteered to take the news of the defeat on the right to Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, who held the left of the line. It was a hold ride, under con- stant fire ; but he reached Thomas and gave the information that saved the Army of the Cumberland. For this was made major-general. Dec. 3, re- signs from the army to take seat in Congress, to which he had been elected fifteen months previously.

1864. Jan. 14, delivers first speech in Con- gress. Placed on Committee on Mili- tary Affairs.

1865. Jan. 13, discusses constitutional amend- ment to abolish slavery. . Changed from Committee on Military Affairs to Ways and Means Committee.

April 15, delivers from the balcony of the New York Custom House, to & mob frenzied by the news of President Lincoln's death, the following speech : " Fellow-citizens : Clouds and dark- ness are around him; his pavilion is dark waters and thick clouds : justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne ; mercy and truth shall go before his face ! . Fellow-citizens : God

Barnard, Photo., 1887.

GARFIELD'S STUDY AT LAWNFIELD. The room and its objects are just as left by him when last there.

LAKE COUNTY.

reigns, and the Government at Wash- ington lives !"

1866. In March made his first speech on public debt, foreshadowing resumption of specie payments.

1867. Made Chairman of Committee on Mil- itary Affairs.

1869-71. Chairman of new committee of Forty-first Congress on Banking and Currency.

1871-75. Forty-second and Forty-third Con- gresses, Chairman of Committee on Appropriations.

1875. Member of Ways and Means Com- mittee. (House Democratic, Forty- fourth, Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses. )

1877. Chosen member of Presidential Elec- toral Commission.

1880. January 13, elected to United States

Senate. April 23, delivers last speech in House of Representatives. June 8, nominated for the presidency. Nov. 2, elected President.

1881. March 23, nominates William H. Rob- ertson to be Collector of the Port of New York. May 5, withdraws all New York nominations. May 16, Senators Conkling and Platt resign. May 18, Collector Robertson confirmed. July 2, shot by Guiteau. Sept. 6, taken to Elberon, N. J. Sept. 19, died of blood-poisoning from pistol- shot wound. Sept. 21, remains car- ried to Washington. Sept. 22 and 23, remains lie in state in rotunda of Capitol.

1882. Sept. 26, remains placed in Lake View Cemetery at Cleveland, Ohio.

" Garfield's tragic death," writes a biographer, "assures to him the attention of history. It will credit him with great services rendered in various fields, and with a character formed by a singular union of the best qualities, industry, per- severance, truthfulness, honesty, courage ; all acting as faithful servants to a lofty and unselfish ambition. Without genius, which can rarely do more than produce extraordinary results in one direction, his powers were so many and well trained that he produced excellent results in many. If history shall call Garfield great, it will be because the development of these powers was so complete and har- monious."

The speeches of Garfield are almost a compendium of the political history of the stirring era between 1864 and 1880. Said ex-President Hayes : "Beyond almost any man I have known, he had the faculty of gathering information from all sources and then imparting it to an audience in instructive and attractive oratory."

TRAVELLING NOTES. A VISIT TO LAWNFIELD, THE GARFIELD HOME.

The home of the murdered President will always be a place of melancholy in- terest. Lawnfield is near the village of Mentor, twenty-two miles east of Cleve- land, about seven west of Painesville and three from the lake. It is a level, grassy region, from which it derives its name.

On Tuesday morning, Sept. 28, 1886, I left Painesville by the cars. Lawn- field is over a mile from the Mentor depot, and, on arriving, I started directly thither on foot, in a pouring rain and with no umbrella. I soon reached the Mentor school-house ; a plain brick building standing back from the road, with a grove in front. Half a dozen boys were in the doorway, like so many flies, to get out of the rain. I went in for shelter and to inquire my way.

THE HILARIOUS SCHOOL CHILDREN.

It was the noon recess. Some dozen boys and girls were in the room and had disposed of their noon lunch, and seeing I was wet from the rain, put in more wood in the box-stove and set a chair for me. As I was drying myself mid the roarings of the burning wood, I looked around upon the children, who were full of glee. One boy, dancing after a girl, said, "I'll put a head on you !" This seemed entirely superfluous ; she had one good head already. Another called out, "To-morrow is Wiggins day-the world is going to be destroyed !" This was from a weather prediction of Wiggins, a Canadian crank.

Prophecies of the end of the world, coming at certain dates, have been common in the past centuries. The most notable prophet of our time was William Miller,

LAKE COUNTY.

a Baptist preacher, who began his predictions in 1831 and had over 50,000 con- verts, who were called Millerites. They eventually formed a religious denomina- tion known as "The Second Adventists," who believed that the second appear- ance of Christ was then near at hand. In my town, about the time of the expected fulfilment of one of the prophecies, one winter night, in the midst of a heavy fall of snow, the heavens were lighted up with an ominous glow, and every snow-flake came down lighted like a flake of fire; the like had not been seen before, and many cheeks grew pale ; not those of Black Milly, a pious old negress, a great shouter at Methodist meetings. Next day, in telling of it, she said, "I felt sure my blessed Jesus was a coming, and I got up and put on my best clothes, and lighted my candles, and set my house in order and waited, singing and pray- ing, to give him a welcome; and oh, I was so happy !"

This unusual phenomena was occasioned by the burning of paper-mills three miles away, and the snow-flakes being large and moist reflected the light. In a term of years, prior to each of these dates, several different times were set by the prophet, as others had failed of being correct. Some of his adherents sold their property, to get the free use of cash for the short time they felt they were to stay here below. One of these went to a neighbor to sell a young pig. The latter demurred ; "too young." "No," rejoined the Millerite, "he'll grow." "Not much ; for, according to your belief, he will be roasted pig altogether too soon for my use."

Well dried and warmed, I arose to leave the gleeful group, and as I opened the nearest door, an urchin behind me called ont, "You are going into the girls' closet !" Sure enough, a little room, with bonnets and wraps, opened to my vision. Female paraphernalia is always interesting ; and this sight of the clothing of the innocents was not an exception.

CYRUS AND HIS GARFIELD FUND.

I inquired the way to Mrs. Garfield's, when one of the boys called out, "She's got lots of money."" "Yes, I knew about how that came;" but did not pause to tell the lad what I tell here.

The death of President Garfield was a sad shock to the nation, and as it was understood the widow and young family were left in restricted circumstances, Cyrus W. Field, of Atlantic cable fame, originated a popular subscription in their behalf. Happening to call upon him at that juncture, I found this man of mil- lions in a plainly furnished office, in a back room on Broadway ; a rather tall, slender old gentleman of sixty years ; quick, nervous, agile as a youth, kindly in manner, a rapid, voluble talker, bending over to one as he talked, with the man- ner, "no matter who you are, I'll hear you; your wants are as great to you as mine are to me." With him was a confidential clerk, advanced in life, evi- dently a fossil from old England, for he had the cockney dialect ; and then at a side table sat a plainly-dressed boy of twelve, apparently a German lad, and he attracted me. Before him was perhaps a half peck of letters, just in by the mail, with contributions for the GARFIELD FUND. These the lad was opening, taking the names of the donors, with the amounts from each, for publication in the next day's papers, and piling up the bills and checks. In a few days the fund amounted to over $360,000, in sums from single contributors, varying from the single dol- lar to the thousands ; it came some from working people ; some from millionaires. The money poured in so bounteously that Mr. Field had to shut down receiving, and he so published.

It was about this time or a little later that Mr. Field erected a monument to the British spy, Major Andre, on American soil. He did this out of his exuber- ance of good feeling to those " bloody Britishers ;" for they had allowed him to fasten one end of his big wire rope around their tight little island, and then, what was more, loaned him their biggest ship, the "Great Eastern," to stow away the remainder when she started for our shores, paying it out as she steamed until she

LAKE COUNTY.

reached our side. Whereupon their great man, John Bright, for his success, had called Cyrus the "Columbus of modern times, who, by his cable, had moored the new world alongside the old."

That compliment and fact made no difference, and so one dark night some enterprising people, who had no stomachs yawning to glorify the memory of a British spy, put under the monnment ou the North river at least half an ounce of gunpowder, set a match to it; so, when the sun arose next morning, it failed to catch any of its glowing rays. But the big rope still remains at the bottom of the ocean, continually wagging at both ends, telling people on both sides " what's up." In this respect it is like old Mother Tucker, of Tuckerton, on the Jersey coast, a great talker, of whom it was said, " her tongne hung in the middle, and she talked with both ends." This was the story I heard in my youth, but I never believed so wonderful a thing could be done until this demonstration of the cable of Cyrus.

LAWNFIELD, THE GARFIELD HOME.

I write the above for the benefit of the Mentor children who may read it. Five minutes after leaving them I was at the Garfield place. It is on a level spot, with broad green fields in front and around, and an orchard in the rear. The buildings occupy much ground. The old Garfield home which fronts the cluster is a wooden building ; its entire front a vine-clad porch of say fifty feet in length. Behind the cluster is a small barn-like structure called the "Campaign Building." Dur- ing the Garfield campaign a bevy of clerks were kept there busy mailing cam- paign documents, and from it telegraphic wires extended over the Union up to the night of the election and victory.

A serving-man answered my ring. He had the exquisite suavity common to his class-they outdo their lords. I laid my card on his waiter. He bowed and left, and soon returning, I was ushered into a sort of double room. It was dark there; the overhanging portico and the rainy, murky sky outside uniting to that end. The room and ceilings were low and I could discern but little. Pictures were on the walls, apparently old family portraits ; but I could not tell male from female, the place and day were so dark. The rooms around opened into each other, and the interior seemed comfortable, old-fashioned and home-like.

As I sat there musing in the gloom, I suddenly felt the presence of some one by my side. I looked up, and there stood a young man of say twenty-five; slender, reticent, dark-eyed, hollow cheeks, olive complexion-looked like a thinker. It was Harry A. Garfield, the eldest of the sons. His mother was occupied with guests, and Grandmamma Garfield was away. No matter, it was business I was upon, and I arranged with him for my sending a photographer to take some views, which are given. He subsequently gave me by letter the items in the following paragraph :

The Mentor farm was purchased by Mr. Garfield about the year 1877. His idea was to eventually run the farm into cattle, raising good stock upon it, etc. ; and this is what the family are now trying to carry out. The house was origin- ally a story and a half high. In 1880 a story and a larger piazza were added. In 1885 Mrs. Garfield added to the modest frame house of her husband a palatial " Queeu Anne structure of stone." It was in accordance with an intent expressed by Mr. Garfield while living, as a repository for his extensive collection of books.

To the foregoing items I annex a published description of that period, by a visitor who had a facile pen with which to write, and a bright day in which to observe :

"The new part of the Garfield mansion is behind and wholly subservient to the old house in which the President lived. This still remains the head and front of the Gar- field home, although remodelled to conform

with the addition. There are probably thirty rooms in both old and new houses. They are all furnished in modern style and with considerable elegance. Although the house is far in the country it has all the conven-

LAKE COUNTY.

iences of a city home, in plumbing, gas-fit- ting and steam-heating. A natural gas well has been bored on the farm and the yard is kept lighted day and night. The main en- trance is through the old house. In the hall facing the door is an old wall-sweep clock. To the left is the smoking-room. To the right is the old parlor, now a reception-room. Bibles and other books are upon the tables, and the furniture is much the same as when the family left for Washington.

To the left is a modest little room occupied by the aged "Grandma " Garfield. She is eighty-five, but a vigorous old lady yet, who reads her Bible every day. Her room is modestly but richly furnished, and the face of her son looks upon her from every side. A handsome fire-screen, with a transparency of the dead, stands before the hearth. A half dozen other portraits of him hang where the eye meets them at every turn. Over the mirror of the dresser is a picture of him as a young man, taken in 1852. On an opposite wall is a picture in colors of the old pioneer home of the Garfield family. But the great relic of this room is the last letter of the son to his mother, of which so many thousand fac-simile copies were sold. Here is the original :

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 1881. DEAR MOTHER : Do not be disturbed by

conflicting reports of my condition. It is true I am still weak, but am gaining every day, and need only time and patience to bring me through. Give my love to all the friends and relatives, and especially Aunt Hetty.

Your loving son,

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

There is less simplicity in other parts of the great house. The paintings in the parlors are works of art. But the one great idea in this home is Garfield the father, Garfield the statesman. Pictures and busts of him are everywhere. On the stairway leading to the library is an oil portrait of him, made in 1862, when he came from the war. Above it hang his swords. The library is the refuge-room. It is in the upper story of the new part, and an ideal spot for rest or literary labor. There are about 2,000 volumes here arranged for convenience. The tables are loaded with art, books and magazines. Where there are walls above the books, pictures of authors with their autographs attached are hung. The autographic portraits of Bismarck and Gam- betta occupy prominent places.

With Mrs. Garfield live her father, Mr. Rudolph, a brother and his family. A half dozen men are employed on the farm, which consists of 160 acres.

THREE OLD MEN AND THE MONEY-GRABBER.

On leaving the mansion it was still raining, and I sought shelter in the post- office opposite the school-house. It was a small place. The postmaster, an elderly personage, was behind the letters in his cage. Three old men were seated out in front of the cage talking : the business of life about wound up with them. I told them where I had been, and then they were loud in the praises of the Garfields. Mrs. Garfield paid generously the people who worked for her on her place ; aud as for Mr. Garfield, in his lifetime, he was one of the most social, genial of spirits. One of them said, " He got me to build him a manger, and he came down and watched the job; and I found he knew more than I did about mangers. He talked with everybody about their business ; learned all they knew ; added it to what he knew, and then knew more than all the rest of us put together."

I got back to the depot at three o'clock. The cars were to return at six. There was no tavern. A sign, " Boarding House," was over the door of a two-story dwelling. I knocked and entered. Two ladies well along in the afternoon of their earthly pilgrimage were there, with "their things on," ready to go ont. I made known my wants. One, a bright, cheery soul, threw off her wraps, saying to her friend, " You go on ; I'll join you soon ; I'll get his dinner. I'm a money- grabber-I want the two shillings." Soon I heard the stove roaring in the ad- joining room, and in a trice my dinner was ready-stewed chicken (poultry of her own raising), cold pork, vegetables, fruits, apples, pears, grapes, pie and hot coffee, and on my part a relishing appetite.

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Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio Number of Pages: 916

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916