Lived

November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881

Home State

Ohio

Party

Republican

Vice President

Chester A. Arthur

James A. Garfield was a college president, Union general, and nine-term congressman from Ohio who served only four months before being shot by a disappointed office-seeker. His murder by Charles Guiteau and death eleven weeks later from infection and unsanitary medical care discredited the spoils system. Garfield had begun investigating Star Route postal fraud and advocated civil service reform. His assassination produced public demand that led to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act two years after his death. College president, Union Army general at Shiloh and Chickamauga, nine-term U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Williams College, 1856.

Began an investigation of Star Route postal fraud. His murder by a disappointed office-seeker discredited the spoils system. None signed of national significance.

His election deepened the split between the 'Stalwart' and 'Half-Breed' factions of the Republican Party. He was gravely wounded by Charles Guiteau at a Washington train station; unsanitary medical care over eleven weeks contributed to his death.