James Abram Garfield - Biography.

James Abram Garfield - Biography. 20th president of the United States Birth November 19, 1831 Death September 19, 1881 Home State Ohio Party Republican Term In Office March 4, 1881-September 19, 1881 Vice President Chester Alan Arthur Significant Acts Supported the investigation of a postal scandal involving unlawful payments for U.S. mail services. Strengthened federal authority over the New York Customhouse, the chief point of entry for foreign goods. Career 1861-1863 Fought for the Union Army in the American Civil War. 1863 Achieved rank of major general of volunteers. 1863-1880 Represented Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. March 4, 1881-September 19, 1881 President of the United States. Did You Know Garfield could write Greek with one hand while writing Latin with the other. James Garfield was the second president to be assassinated. Garfield often spoke German with German-Americans he met during his campaign for president. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.