Hobart, Garret Augustus (1844-1899), served as vice president of the United States under President William McKinley from 1897 to 1899. Hobart’s death that year made it necessary for the Republicans to find another running mate for McKinley in the presidential election of 1900. Their choice of Theodore Roosevelt was fateful because McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Roosevelt became president.
Hobart was born on June 3, 1844, in Long Branch, New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers College and studied law in Paterson, New Jersey. Beginning in 1872, Hobart served for many years in the New Jersey legislature. In 1874, Hobart became speaker of the state assembly. He was elected state senator in 1876, and he became president of the New Jersey Senate in 1881. Hobart served as a member of the Republican National Committee from 1884 to 1896. He died on Nov. 21, 1899.
