James A. Garfield (1831-81) was an attorney, minister, educator, soldier, and the twentieth President of the United States. He experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity in his youth while working on the Ohio canal and was later licensed as a minister in the Christian Church. He studied at Geauga Seminary in Ohio (1849); graduated from Williams College (1856); became a Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature in Hiram College, Ohio (1856); was President of Hiram College (1857-61); elected Ohio State Senator (1859); admitted to the bar (1860); entered the Union side in the Civil War as Lieutenant-Colonel (1861); won a victory at Middle Creek and gained the rank of Brigadier-General (1862); promoted to Major-General (1863) and then resigned; member of the U. S. House of Representatives (1863-80); elected the twentieth President of the United States (1880). Garfield was shot by an assassin at the Washington railroad station en route for a northern trip (1881) and died 81 days later.

Hiram, Feb. 16th 1858

Dear Bro. Wallace

We have just closed our meeting with happy results. There were 34 addition[s]. 31 by immersion. I was sorry I could not be in Newburgh last Sunday, but it seemed to be my duty to stay here. Bro Dave Shu[?] tells me that the Brethren want me to hold a meeting in vacation. I have spoken 19 discourses in our meeting here – and this with all our work in the school has worn me down very much. I would not think of holding a meeting alone. And don’t know as I ought to help hold one. I will be in your place sometime next week and talk with you in reference to the matter of your letter. Which would have been answered sooner but for the meeting. I shall hope to visit Bedford also. Love to your family & believe me your brother,

J. A. Garfield