Beginning of Essay
Born in a log cabin, James Abram Garfield rose by his own efforts to become a college president, a major general in the Civil War, a leader in Congress, and finally president of the United States. Four months after his inauguration, he was shot by an assassin. Aft ....

Middle of Essay
.... and Mary, four. Mrs. Garfield courageously decided to run the farm and keep her family together. Thomas and Uncle Amos helped Mrs. Garfield with the farm work. She herself also sewed for the neighbors, and her girls learned to card wool and weave cloth. James early showed a love for books and his mother determined that he should have an education. When he was four years old, a log schoolhouse was built on the Garfields' lot. The Boy on the Towpath When he was 15, James was big enough and strong enough to do a man's work. He hired out to the neighbors for chopping wood, washing sheep, planting, plowing, and sowing. When he was 16, he decided to becom ....