United States and Worldwide Stamps, Covers, and Collections

James A. Garfield (1831-81; 20th President of the United States), free frank, signed "J.A.Garfield", as sitting congressman addressed to Professor R.A. Hinsdale, Alliance, Ohio, black "Hiram O, May 18th" cds docketing on the back shows the date as "May, 17, 1869", Very FinernBorn in an Ohio log cabin (the last of the "Log Cabin Presidents"), Garfield was a self-made man who became a school president in his mid-20s. During the Civil War, he fought for the Union and rose to the rank of major general. As a Republican, he went on to represent Ohio in the House of Representatives, where he served from 1863 to 1881. In 1880, a divided Republican Party chose Garfield as its dark horse presidential nominee. After winning a close general election, his brief time in office was marked by political wrangling, particularly with the Conkling machine in NY City. In July 1881, Garfield was shot by a disgruntled constituent and died less than three months later.Sale 3054: Session 3 - United States Stamps and Covers