If you just want elected, this is a long shot but you don't say the POD can't be before 1900.…
Garfield's grandmother was alive when he was inaugurated. I remember that trivia bit from when I was a kid. So let's have Grant or someone elected in 1880 and assassinated, bringing about civil service reform. Then Garfield is the one with the antitrust bill in 1890 if Sherman is elected in 1880 and dies, and he becomes a very respected senator but keeps getting passed by for the presidency. He becomes a progressive and with William Howard. Taft selected for the Supreme Court. Teddy Roosevelt chooses him as a one term successor in 1908 figuring that he himself can come back in 1912 if he wants. Garfield is therefore elected at age 77.
Garfield's grandmother was alive when he was inaugurated. I remember that trivia bit from when I was a kid. So let's have Grant or someone elected in 1880 and assassinated, bringing about civil service reform. Then Garfield is the one with the antitrust bill in 1890 if Sherman is elected in 1880 and dies, and he becomes a very respected senator but keeps getting passed by for the presidency. He becomes a progressive and with William Howard. Taft selected for the Supreme Court. Teddy Roosevelt chooses him as a one term successor in 1908 figuring that he himself can come back in 1912 if he wants. Garfield is therefore elected at age 77.
