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Part Taken by Women in American History


the Senate, and from the Senate, to the Presidency. During all these years Mrs. Garfield was known as the most devoted wife and mother. Her unusual intelligence and education fitted her pre-eminently for the high positions to which her husband was from time to time promoted. She was never in any sense considered a fashionable woman or a devotee of society. Her ambitions were on a higher plane, but no woman ever received more flattering compliments from her husband and those who knew her best, than Mrs. Garfield. The control she had over her emotional nature was manifested during the ordeal through which she passed at the time of President Garfield's assassination and the eighty days of anxiety and suspense before his death. After the President's death she repaired to Mentor and no woman could have conducted herself with greater propriety, dignity and appreciation of her position than did Mrs. Garfield. The fact that her sons have attained prominent positions is as much due to their mother's care and training as to the inheritance of an illustrious name.

MRS. ELIZA GARFIELD.

Mrs. Eliza Garfield, the mother of James A. Garfield, was an admirable illustration of the true nobility of the women of the earlier days of the Republic. Her devotion to the memory of her husband, her struggle for the maintenance and education of her family, her pure Christian character, native generosity and sympathy with those about her, her self-denial, her humility, her pride in her illustrious son, make her a remarkable woman of her time. She is the only mother of a President who ever resided in the White House. The nation was deeply impressed by the honor paid her by her son after he delivered his inaugural address. Embracing her in the presence of the multitude immediately after he had pronounced the last syllable of that wonderful address, was the greatest tribute a son could have paid a mother and does credit alike to the son and the venerable mother. She survived her distinguished son but a few years.

MARY ARTHUR McELROY.

President Arthur, successor to James A. Garfield, had been a widower for many years, and Washington was much concerned as to who would preside over the White House during the presidency of Chester A. Arthur. The continuous