James A. Garfield was a student, faculty member, and then Principal of Hiram College, then known as the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, from 1857-63, and he served as President of the United States from 1880 until his assassination in 1881. The Martin Family, led by patriarch Paul E. Martin, established a legacy of generosity. His sons, Fred Martin '64 and James Martin '65, along with James's wife, Karen (Wierwille) Martin '64, continued that family legacy at Hiram College through their benevolence and advocacy. One of Paul's last acts of philanthropy was purchasing the statue associated with Garfield.