Representative James Garfield of Ohio became the first (and still the only) sitting House Member to be elected President of the United States. Garfield rose from humble beginnings to serve as a nine-time congressman and military general before his election to the United States presidency in 1881. Garfield's victory was short-lived. Four months after his inauguration, he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled constituent and died less than three months later. In all, President Garfield served for a total of six months and fifteen days.
