James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States who was assassinated within months of his assuming office. Prior to becoming the president he had served several terms in the House of Representatives and had been a campaign manager for Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman. Garfield had risen to become the President from a very humble beginning. Born into an impoverished family in Ohio, he lost his father while he was still a small child. He struggled throughout his childhood and sought solace in books. In spite of his difficult youth, he was determined to get a good education and studied at Williams College. He soon joined politics and became a supporter of the newly organized Republican Party. When the American Civil War broke out, he helped recruit the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was made its colonel. He distinguished himself with his valor and courage at the battles of Middle Creek, Shiloh, and Chickamauga, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He remained active in politics over the course of his military career and had gained a reputation as a prominent Republican politician by the time the war ended. Garfield was nominated as the Republican candidate for presidency in 1880. He won the election and was sworn in as the president on March 4, 1881. His presidency lasted a very short while as he died in September following an assassination attempt