Hobart, Garret A. (Garret Augustus), 1844-1899

<p>Despite his untimely death halfway through his term, Garret Augustus Hobart expanded the role of the vice president to such an extent that he earned the nickname, the "Assistant President."Garret Hobart was born on June 3, 1844, in Long Branch, New Jersey. His father, Addison Hobart, established a school in Long Branch where Garret was enrolled at the age of five. In 1852, Hobart moved with his family to Marlboro, New Jersey, where he attended the village school until he graduated to a nearby boarding school. He enrolled at Rutgers College at the age of 16, where he majored in mathematics and English. He graduated with honors in 1863, earning awards in mathematics and public speaking. After spending a short period as a schoolteacher to repay loans, Hobart studied law under a family friend, Socrates Tuttle, in Paterson, New Jersey. He earned his license in 1866, receiving his masters of chancery in 1872. During the course of his education, Hobart fell in love with Jennie Tuttle, the daughter of his teacher, and they were married in 1869. Socrates Tuttle was elected mayor of Paterson in 1871, and he appointed Hobart to the position of city attorney. In 1872, Hobart took a seat in the New Jersey legislature, becoming Speaker of the House in 1874. In 1876, he was elected to the Senate of New Jersey, serving as its president from 1881 to 1882. His legislative experience contributed to the success of his law practice, and Hobart was named director of several corporations. He also served as president of banks, railroads, and the Passaic Water Company. Because of his achievements, Hobart was nominated as the Republican candidate for vice president in the 1896 election, despite the fact he was a relative unknown outside of New Jersey. After accepting his nomination, Hobart returned to New Jersey and used his influence to ensure that William McKinley was the first Republican candidate to win the state in a quarter of a century. Despite the fact that Hobart had never met McKinley prior to the election, they became quite close in the following months. Hobart agreed with McKinley on most major issues and was a strong advocate of maintaining the gold standard. In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Hobart famously stated, "An honest dollar, worth one hundred cents everywhere, cannot be coined out of fifty-three cents of silver, plus a legislative fiat." McKinley and cabinet members regularly sought advice from the vice president. Following the Spanish-American War, Hobart listened closely to McKinley's plans for the Philippines - to convert the Filipinos to Christianity and assimilate them into the United States. As a result, Hobart cast the tie-breaking vote to deny independence to the Philippines. As presiding officer of the Senate, Hobart was known for his remarkably strong memory with regard to past bills, and he consistently sought to improve the efficiency of the legislative process. He was known for passing judgment on the rules of order himself, rather than putting issues to a Senate vote, as was traditionally done. Hobart and his wife were also excellent entertainers, hosting lavish parties, dinners, and "smokers" at their rented mansion on Lafayette Square. Although he is better remembered for his early death and famous successor (Theodore Roosevelt), Hobart's brief tenure included historically significant expansions of vice presidential power. McKinley consulted Vice President Hobart far more regularly than prior Presidents and had a close working relationship with him. While he was not included in cabinet meetings, both McKinley and other cabinet members consulted with him freely on matters of policy. Additionally, Hobart's more assertive oversight of the Senate represented a distinct change from his predecessors. Although his time in office was less than three years, Hobart was an able vice president and treated his office less as a ceremonial position than as a venue for more substantial consultation and influence. Garret Hobart developed heart troubles during his tenure, and he was required to return to Paterson to rest during the summer of 1899. His condition worsened, and he died on November 21, 1899.</p>

<p>Garret Augustus Hobart (June 3, 1844 – November 21, 1899) was an American politician who served as the 24th vice president of the United States, from 1897 until his death. He was the sixth American vice president to die in office. Prior to serving as vice president, Hobart was an influential New Jersey politician and political operative.</p>

<p>Hobart was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore, and grew up in nearby Marlboro. After attending Rutgers College, Hobart read law with prominent Paterson attorney Socrates Tuttle. Hobart both studied with Tuttle and married his daughter, Jennie. Although he rarely set foot in a courtroom, Hobart became wealthy as a corporate lawyer.</p>

<p>Hobart served in local governmental positions, and then successfully ran for office as a Republican, serving in both the New Jersey General Assembly, ending his time there by becoming Speaker, and the New Jersey Senate, where he became its president. Hobart was a longtime party official, and New Jersey delegates went to the 1896 Republican National Convention determined to nominate him for vice president. Hobart's political views were similar to those of McKinley, who was the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. With New Jersey a key state in the upcoming election, McKinley and his close adviser, future senator Mark Hanna, decided to have the convention select Hobart. The vice-presidential candidate emulated his running mate with a front porch campaign, though spending much time at the campaign's New York City office. McKinley and Hobart were elected.</p>

<p>As vice president, Hobart proved a popular figure in Washington and was a close adviser to McKinley. Hobart's tact and good humor were valuable to the President, as in mid-1899 when Secretary of War Russell Alger failed to understand that McKinley wanted him to leave office. Hobart invited Alger to his New Jersey summer home and broke the news to the secretary, who submitted his resignation to McKinley on his return to Washington. Hobart died on November 21, 1899 of heart disease at age 55; his place on the Republican ticket in 1900 was taken by New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt. </p>

HOBART, GARRET AUGUSTUS, a Vice President of the United States; born near Long Branch, Monmouth County, N.J., June 3, 1844; attended the common schools and graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N.J., in 1863; taught school; clerk for the grand jury of Passaic County, N.J., in 1865; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1866 and commenced practice at Paterson, N.J.; city counsel of Paterson in 1871 and 1872; elected counsel for the board of freeholders in 1872; member, State house of assembly 1872-1876, and served as speaker in 1874; member, State senate 1876-1882, and served as president 1881-1882; banker; member of the Republican National Committee 1884-1896, when he was nominated as the Republican candidate for vice president on the ticket with William McKinley; elected Vice President of the United States in 1896 and served from March 4, 1897, until his death in Paterson, N.J., on November 21, 1899; interment in Cedar Lawn Cemetery.