James Rudolph Garfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Rudolph Garfield
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| 23rd United States Secretary of the Interior | |
| In office March 5, 1907 – March 4, 1909 |
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| President | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Ethan Allen Hitchcock |
| Succeeded by | Richard A. Ballinger |
| Commissioner of the United States Bureau of Corporations | |
| In office February 26, 1903 – March 4, 1907 |
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| President | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Knox Smith |
| Member of the United States Civil Service Commission | |
| In office April 24, 1902 – February 25, 1903 Serving with John Robert Procter, William Dudley Foulke
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| President | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | William A. Rodenberg |
| Succeeded by | Alford W. Cooley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Rudolph Garfield
October 17, 1865 Hiram, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1950 (aged 84) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
Progressive (Bull Moose) |
| Spouse |
Helen Newell
(m. 1890; died 1930) |
| Relations | Harry Augustus Garfield (brother) Abram Garfield (brother) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Williams College (BA) Columbia University |
James Rudolph Garfield (born October 17, 1865 – died March 24, 1950) was an American lawyer and politician. He was the son of President James A. Garfield and First Lady Lucretia Garfield. James R. Garfield served as the Secretary of the Interior when Theodore Roosevelt was president.
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Early Life
James R. Garfield was born in Hiram, Ohio, on October 17, 1865. He was the third of seven children. Before his father became president, James studied at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire.
On July 2, 1881, when James was 15, he and his 17-year-old brother, Harry Augustus Garfield, saw their father get shot. This happened at a train station in Washington, D.C. Their father, President James A. Garfield, was waiting for a train to Williams College where young James had just been accepted. A man who was angry about not getting a government job shot the President.
College and First Jobs
After his father passed away on September 19, 1881, James Garfield continued his studies at Williams College. He earned his degree in 1885. Then, he went to Columbia Law School to study law.
In 1888, he became a lawyer in Ohio. He started a law firm in Cleveland, Ohio, with his brother Harry. James married Helen Newell in 1890. They had four sons: John, James, Newell, and Rudolph.
Working in Politics
From 1896 to 1899, James Garfield served in the Ohio State Senate. He became an important helper and friend to President Theodore Roosevelt. He worked as a member of the United States Civil Service Commission from 1902 to 1903.
From 1903 to 1907, he was the Commissioner of Corporations. In this role, he investigated large companies in the meat, oil, steel, and railroad industries. From 1907 to 1909, he was the United States Secretary of the Interior. In this job, he worked to protect America's natural places and resources. However, he did approve a request for San Francisco to build a dam in the Hetch Hetchy valley, which was part of Yosemite National Park.
After leaving his job as Secretary, he went back to his law practice in Cleveland. In 1912, he strongly supported Theodore Roosevelt when Roosevelt tried to become president for a third time. In 1914, James Garfield tried to become the Governor of Ohio with the Progressive Party, but he did not win.
World War I Efforts
When World War I started, former President Theodore Roosevelt chose James Garfield to help create a group of volunteer soldiers. This group was meant to serve in France in 1917. The United States Congress allowed Roosevelt to form these volunteer groups. However, President Woodrow Wilson, who was the leader of the military, decided not to use the volunteers. So, the group was disbanded.
Later Life and Death
James Rudolph Garfield passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 24, 1950. He was 84 years old. He was the last living member of President Theodore Roosevelt's cabinet. He lived 68 and a half years longer than his father. He was buried next to his wife Helen in Mentor Municipal Cemetery in Mentor, Ohio.
