His class was a brilliant one.

Three became general officers during the rebellion--Garfield, Daviess, and Thompson.

Rockwell's name is well known in official circles; Gilfillan is Treasurer of the United States.
There are others who fill prominent positions.

In the class above him was the late Hon.

Phineas W.Hitchcock, who for six years represented Nebraska in the United States Senate--like Garfield, the architect of his own fortunes.
"What are your plans, Garfield ?" asked a classmate but a short time before graduation.
"I am going back to Ohio, to teach in the school where I prepared for college." "What is the name of the school ?" "Hiram Institute." "I never heard of it." "It has only a local reputation." "Will you get a high salary ?" "No; the institute is poor, and can pay me but little." "I think you are making a mistake." "Why so ?" "You are our best scholar, and no one can rival you in speaking in the societies.