His marriage to Lucretia Rudolph, his boyhood sweetheart, occurred in 1858, and within a year he was made President of the College, which position he held until he entered the Civil War in 1861. Their lives ran along in great happiness, owing to their congenial tastes. They studied together and kept step in all matters of public and educational interests. He preached, taught, and studied law, being admitted to the bar in Cuyahoga County in 1860. Seven children were born to them. Upon offering his services at the opening of the Civil War, James Garfield was commissioned Colonel of the Forty-second Ohio Volunteers. For gallantry, he was made Brigadier General, the youngest man to receive that rank. He served with distinction at Shiloh and at Corinth, and in Alabama became Chief of Staff of the Army of the Cumberland. At Chickamauga, he was made a Major General of volunteers, owing to meritorious action. This honour had just been conferred when he learned of the death of his infant daughter. He resigned to enter Congress at the age of thirty-two, after a conference with General Rosecrans, and served continuously until 1880. When Mr. Blaine went to the Senate in 1876, Garfield became the recognized leader of the Republican element in the House. In January, 1880, he himself was elected to the Senate. In June of that year, the Republicans held their national convention, when Grant’s name was suggested again. With his European popularity, many admirers believed he would be sent to the White House on the crest of another boom. Other friends protested against his name being put up again. They predicted defeat. At no time would he announce himself as sufficiently receptive to the idea of a third term to authorize a statement. When asked whether he would accept a nomination, he replied: “I will neither accept nor decline an imaginary thing.” Later, however, he wrote: “I owe so much to the Union men of the country that if they think my chances are better for election than those of other probable candidates, I cannot decline if the nomination is tendered without seeking on my part.”