James Abram Garfield Biography and Timeline

Birth of James Abram Garfield

Birth of James Abram Garfield, Orange, Ohio, youngest of 5 children born on a poor farm on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio, the poorest man ever to become President

Election

Elected to the United States House of Representatives

Leader House of Representatives

Appointed Republican floor leader of the House of Representatives

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Republican Party

President of USA

Appointed President of the USA, Twentieth President, Garfield takes office

Role range: 1880-1881

Constitution of USA

Garfield is the only person who was elected President directly from the United States House of Representatives

Role range: 1880-1881

President of USA

Garfield is the only person who was elected President directly from the United States House of Representatives

Role range: 1880-1881

Election

Garfield defeats the Democratic candidate Winfield Scott Hancock, another distinguished former Union Army general, by 214 electoral votes to 155. Elected Member of Senate

Garfield Inauguration

Is inaugurated as the twentieth President of the United States.

Role range: 1881-1881

Twentieth President Takes Office

Begins his presidency after winning the 1880 election.

Role range: 1881-1881

Garfield Shot

Is shot by Charles Guiteau at a Washington railroad station.

Role range: 1881-1881

Presidential Assassination Attempt

Survives the shooting initially but remains gravely wounded.

Role range: 1881-1881

Garfield Moved to New Jersey

Is moved to the New Jersey coast in hopes of recovery.

Role range: 1881-1881

Presidential Convalescence at Elberon

Continues treatment at Elberon while his condition deteriorates.

Role range: 1881-1881

Death of James Abram Garfield

Death of James Abram Garfield, dies from gunshot wounds fired by Charles Guiteau

Role range: 1880-1881

Death of James Garfield

Dies after lingering for weeks following Guiteau's shooting.

Role range: 1881-1881

Garfield Dies from Wounds

His death elevates Chester Arthur to the presidency.

Role range: 1881-1881

Garfield Funeral

Garfield's funeral ceremonies culminate in Cleveland.

Role range: 1881-1881

President Buried in Cleveland

The late president is buried after a national period of mourning.

Role range: 1881-1881

Burial

Garfield is buried, with great and solemn ceremony, in a mausoleum in aLakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio

Role range: 1880-1881

Inauguration

Inaugurated as President

Role range: 1880-1881