Garret Augustus Hobart
Garret Augustus Hobart was born on June 3, 1844, in Long Branch, New Jersey, into a family with deep roots in early American history. He pursued a career in law after graduating at the top of his class from Rutgers College in 1863, and he quickly became involved in local politics, serving as a judge and later as a state senator. Hobart's political career took a significant turn when he was nominated as the vice presidential candidate alongside William McKinley in the 1896 election, despite being relatively unknown outside New Jersey. The McKinley-Hobart ticket won the election, and Hobart played an important role in the administration, providing financial advice and supporting major political decisions, including the declaration of war against Spain in 1898.
However, Hobart's health declined sharply due to heart issues, leading him to retire from political life before the end of his term. He passed away on November 21, 1899, in Paterson, New Jersey. Although his vice presidential tenure was brief, Hobart was known for his legislative acumen and was influential in expanding the powers of the vice presidency. His death paved the way for Theodore Roosevelt to become vice president, ultimately influencing the trajectory of American politics in the early 20th century. Throughout his life, Hobart maintained a strong family life, marrying Jennie Tuttle and raising four children.
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Subject Terms
Garret Augustus Hobart
Politician, lawyer
- Born: June 3, 1844
- Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey
- Died: November 21, 1899
- Place of death: Paterson, New Jersey
Significance: Garret Augustus Hobart was an American politician and lawyer. He was the twenty-fourth vice president of the United States under President William McKinley. Prior to the vice presidency, Hobart served in the New Jersey Legislature, first in the General Assembly and then in the Senate. He also amassed great wealth as an attorney for various banks and railroads. Hobart passed away at the age of fifty-five during the third year of his term.
Background
Garret Augustus Hobart was born on June 3, 1844, in Long Branch, New Jersey. His family tree dated back to early seventeenth-century colonial America, and it included a long line of clergymen. His father moved to Long Branch in 1841 and opened a primary school, which his son attended. The Hobarts relocated to Marlboro, New Jersey, in 1852. Hobart attended the Marlboro village school before enrolling at a boarding school. At sixteen, he began attending Rutgers College, where he majored in mathematics and English. He graduated in 1863 at the top of his class. By this time, the country had entered into the American Civil War (1861–1865). Instead of joining the Union Army, Hobart studied law in Paterson, New Jersey, under the guidance of his father's childhood friend Socrates Tuttle, who became Hobart's mentor. Hobart was admitted to the bar in 1866.
Although Hobart's family was historically Democrat, Tuttle's influence persuaded Hobart to switch political parties. After becoming a lawyer, he served as a grand jury clerk before being elected a judge in Paterson in 1868. When his father-in-law was elected mayor in 1871, Hobart was appointed to the city attorney position. The following year, he joined the New Jersey General Assembly and earned his master's in chancery. By 1874, he had become speaker of the assembly. Two years later, Hobart was elected to the New Jersey Senate. He was named Senate president in 1881, making him the first legislator in New Jersey to have led both the General Assembly and the Senate.
Hobart proved an excellent if reserved legislator, but he was reluctant to pursue any greater political position because of his prosperous law practice in New Jersey. He had many powerful clients in the banking and railroad industry that had made him a very wealthy man over the years. He enjoyed his comfortable life in New Jersey and showed no eagerness to take up a demanding career in Washington, DC. Although he did run for the US Senate several times in his early career, his lackluster campaign efforts hindered his chances. While serving in the New Jersey Senate, Hobart was chairman of the State Republican Committee from 1880 to 1891 and served on the party's national committee. He was also president of several banks, railroads, and the Passaic Water Company.
Overview
Although New Jersey had leaned Democrat in presidential elections since the Civil War, the Panic of 1893, which sank the country into an economic depression, gradually turned the state's leanings Republican. The New Jersey Legislature and the governorship had gone to Republicans by the mid-1890s. Seeing an opportunity to make the state vote Republican in the 1896 election, New Jersey party leaders arrived at the Republican convention in Missouri in 1896 with the intention of nominating one of their own to the position of the vice president. New Jersey Republicans chose Hobart for the job. Despite being little known outside his own state, he managed to secure the nomination as presidential nominee William McKinley's running mate. Hobart was unenthusiastic about the nomination, writing to his wife that he would accept the position whether he wanted it or not.
In the run-up to the election, McKinley and Hobart did little campaigning outside their own areas. They emphasized their support of the gold standard monetary system and of protective tariffs. The economy favored the Republican candidates, and when the election was over McKinley received about five hundred thousand more votes than his Democratic opponent, William Jennings Bryan. McKinley won twenty-three out of forty-five states, including Hobart's home state.
Hobart proved useful to McKinley and his cabinet, and they regularly consulted the vice president about political matters. McKinley also turned to Hobart for financial advice, and Hobart helped the president save money for investments. Hobart and McKinley had grown close during the election and remained friends throughout their service together. The two agreed on most major political matters. When tensions with Spain escalated in 1898, Hobart comforted the conflicted president in his decision to declare war.
Hobart's tenure as US Senate leader earned him a reputation as a highly intelligent and efficient legislator, with a sharp memory for lawmaking history. He also made many friends at the lavish parties he threw with his wife at their rented mansion in Washington. However, Hobart's health became an issue at the start of 1899. He began having serious heart problems and regularly experienced fainting spells. Hobart's strength diminished rapidly, and he returned to Paterson for his health. Hobart knew he would not recover and announced he would not seek a second term as vice president, effectively retiring due to his condition. He died on November 21, 1899, in Paterson.
Impact
Hobart was regarded as a sharp-witted and respected politician. His brief time in office saw a significant expansion of vice presidential powers in the White House and the US Senate. Hobart was less remembered for his vice presidential tenure than for the domino effect caused by his death. After Hobart died, President McKinley appointed Theodore Roosevelt as his vice president. Roosevelt assumed the presidency following the assassination of McKinley, and his progressive political agenda changed the course of American politics.
Personal Life
Hobart married Jennie Tuttle, daughter of his mentor, on July 21, 1869. The couple had four children.
Bibliography
"Garret A. Hobart (1897–1899)." Miller Center, millercenter.org/president/mckinley/essays/hobart-1897-vicepresident. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Garret Augustus Hobart, 24th Vice President (1897–1899)." United States Senate, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP‗Garret‗Hobart.htm. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Garret Hobart." ThoughtCo., www.thoughtco.com/garret-hobart-3897297. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Hobart, Garret Augustus, (1844–1899)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=h000660. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Vice President Garret Hobart: Biography & Death." Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/vice-president-garret-hobart-biography-death.html. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.