Republican Party politics was another of Stone 's interests . In addition to his friendship with Abraham Lincoln , he was a key financial backer of James A. Garfield in his bid for the 1880 Republican nomination and his successful campaign for the presidency . Garfield considered appointing Stone as the U.S. government 's representative on the board of directors of the Union Pacific Railroad , but Stone turned him down ( the position was occupied by Senator Benjamin Wade , who had not indicated his desire to relinquish it )
Republican nomination
1880 Republican National Convention
Amasa Stone