NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
People travel all over the country and world but don’t see what’s in their backyard. We are guilty of this but plan to correct our shortcomings. First up is this national Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio
James Garfield was a teacher, preacher, lawyer, nine term member of the US house and Civil War General before becoming the 20th president of the United States.
Garfield received a commission as Colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He recruited and filled the ranks with former students from Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. His first significant battle was at Middle Creek in Eastern Kentucky. He was promoted to brigadier general after his outnumbered brigade defeated confederate forces and cleared the way for Union control in Kentucky.
He also saw action at Shiloh where he was forced to take leave due to dysentery. During this time, his name was put forth as a candidate for the US House. He won the election and then headed to battle at Chickamauga. After the battle he resigned his commission and headed to Congress.
Painting of Garfield at Chickamauga
He was known as. the front porch president. An estimated 15,000 people travelled to Mentor, Ohio to hear Garfield speak before the election. His house became know as “Lawnfield” by reporters covering his campaign.
- Presidents from Ohio. Ohioans won 3 in a row.
- William Henry Harrison (1841): 9th President
- Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877): 18th President
- Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881): 19th President
- James A. Garfield (1881): 20th President
- Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893): 22nd President
- William McKinley (1897-1901): 25th President
- William Howard Taft (1909-1913): 27th President
- Warren G. Harding (1921-1923): 29th President
- Top 5 states producing presidents:
- Virginia: 8 presidents
- Ohio: 7 presidents
- New York: 5 presidents
- Massachusetts: 4 presidents
- North Carolina: 2 presidents
Back of the house
Side view
Carriage House
Windmill
Old school plumbing
President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881, while walking through a train station in Washington, D.C.. Guiteau shot Garfield twice, once in the arm and once in the back. Garfield died on September 19, 1881 from complications related to the shooting.
Guiteau thought he was owed a job due to the corrupt “spoils” system in place. Winning elections led victors to get the spoils and appoint supporters to government jobs. Guiteau contributed to Garfield’s 1880 campaign and believed he was a key contributor to victory.. When Garfield did not appoint him, Guiteau became angry and began plotting to kill him.
Garfield become one of four Ohio presidents that died in office.
William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office. He died from pneumonia on April 4, 1841 after just 31 days in office.
William McKinley: assassinated on September 14, 1901.
Warren G. Harding: died from a heart attack on August 2, 1923
THANKS FOR VISITING, STEVE