24th Vice President of the United States (1897–1899)
Garret Augustus Hobart was the 24th Vice President of the United States, serving under President William McKinley from March 4, 1897, until his death on November 21, 1899. A prominent lawyer, businessman, and Republican political leader from Paterson, New Jersey, Hobart transformed what had traditionally been a ceremonial office into one of genuine influence. His close relationship with McKinley earned him the nickname “Assistant President.”
Early Life and Education
Garret Hobart was born on June 3, 1844, in Long Branch, New Jersey. His family later settled in Marlboro before he attended Rutgers College, graduating with honors in 1863. After briefly teaching school, he studied law in Paterson under the noted attorney Socrates Tuttle, whose daughter, Jennie, he married in 1869. Hobart was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1866 and quickly established a successful legal practice.
Career in Paterson
Paterson became the center of Hobart’s professional and political life. He served as:
- Counsel for the City of Paterson
- Counsel for the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders
- Corporate attorney for many of New Jersey’s leading railroads, banks, and manufacturing companies
His legal work and investments made him one of the wealthiest attorneys in New Jersey. He also served as a director or officer of several banks, utility companies, and transportation firms, making him an influential figure in the state’s growing industrial economy.
Political Career
Although deeply involved in business, Hobart steadily advanced through Republican politics.
He served as:
- Member of the New Jersey General Assembly (1873–1875)
- Speaker of the General Assembly (1874)
- New Jersey State Senator (1877–1883)
- President of the New Jersey Senate (1881–1883)
For many years he chaired the New Jersey Republican State Committee and served on the Republican National Committee, becoming one of the party’s most respected strategists.
Vice President of the United States
At the 1896 Republican National Convention, Hobart was selected as William McKinley’s running mate. The McKinley–Hobart ticket defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a decisive victory.
Unlike most vice presidents of the nineteenth century, Hobart became one of President McKinley’s closest advisers. He frequently met with the President, advised on legislation, and skillfully presided over the U.S. Senate. His leadership helped guide the administration’s agenda through Congress during a pivotal period that included the Spanish–American War and the nation’s emergence as a global power. Because of his influence, political observers often referred to him as the “Assistant President.”
Death
Hobart suffered from heart disease during his vice presidency. After months of declining health, he died at his home in Paterson on November 21, 1899, at the age of 55.
Because the Constitution then provided no mechanism for filling a vice-presidential vacancy, the office remained vacant for the rest of McKinley’s first term. Theodore Roosevelt was later nominated as McKinley’s new running mate in 1900 and became president after McKinley’s assassination in 1901.
Legacy
Garret Hobart remains one of New Jersey’s most distinguished public figures and one of Paterson’s most famous native sons. His legacy includes:
- Being the first New Jersey resident to serve as Vice President of the United States.
- Demonstrating that the vice presidency could be an active advisory position rather than a ceremonial office.
- A bronze statue honoring him stands outside Paterson City Hall.
- Hobart, Oklahoma, and Hobart, Washington, were named in his honor.
- His bust is displayed in the United States Capitol among distinguished vice presidents.
For residents of Paterson, Garret Hobart remains a symbol of the city’s importance during the Gilded Age, when its industrial, financial, and political leaders exerted influence far beyond New Jersey.