Quick Facts Also Known As: Chester Alan Arthur Died At Age: 57 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Ellen Herndon father: William Arthur mother: Malvina Stone siblings: Mary McElroy Born Country: United States Lawyers Presidents political ideology: Republican Died on: November 18, 1886 place of death: New York, United States Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage Arthur practiced law in New York City. In a special message to Congress, Arthur asks the legislature to appropriate funds for naval reconstruction work. [77] In total, his income came to more than $50,000more than the president's salary, and more than enough for him to enjoy fashionable clothes and a lavish lifestyle. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. [10], Arthur's father, William Arthur, was born in 1796 in Dreen, Cullybackey, County Antrim, Ireland to a Presbyterian family of Scots-Irish descent. [44] At that time, the state was the scene of a brutal struggle between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, and Arthur lined up firmly with the latter. [90], Hayes further struck at the heart of the spoils system by issuing an executive order that forbade assessments, and barred federal office holders from "tak[ing] part in the management of political organizations, caucuses, conventions, or election campaigns. Chester Arthur (1829-1886), the 21st U.S. president, took office after the death of President James Garfield (1831-1881). Later that day he took a train to Long Branch to pay his respects to Garfield and to leave a card of sympathy for his wife, afterwards returning to New York City. He proclaimed to onlookers: "I am a Stalwart, and Arthur will be President! All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. [153] That year, Arthur expressed satisfaction with the new system, praising its effectiveness "in securing competent and faithful public servants and in protecting the appointing officers of the Government from the pressure of personal importunity and from the labor of examining the claims and pretensions of rival candidates for public employment. Dignified, tall, and handsome, with clean-shaven chin and side-whiskers, Chester A. Arthur "looked like a President." The son of a Baptist preacher who had . [148] The second trial began in December 1882 and lasted until July 1883 and, again, did not result in a guilty verdict. [20] Arthur also supported the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish republican organization founded in America; he showed this support by wearing a green coat. A skilled fisherman Early in the summer of 1857, Chester Arthur, a young lawyer from New York City, accompanied by his partner, Henry D. Gardiner, came to Kansas to settle and grow up with the country. [126] Just before going into recess in May 1881, the situation became more complicated when Conkling and the other senator from New York, Thomas C. Platt, resigned in protest of Garfield's continuing opposition to their faction. [179] Democrats turned against the "New Navy" projects and, when they won control of the 48th Congress, refused to appropriate funds for seven more steel warships. [140] Arthur then selected Charles J. Folger, his friend and fellow New York Stalwart as Windom's replacement. Along with overseeing a major renovation of the White House, President Arthur saw three major events happen during his administration: These three accomplishments ensured Arthur that he would have something of a legacy. The bill passed both houses narrowly on March 3, 1883, the last full day of the 47th Congress; Arthur signed the measure into law, with no effect on the surplus. [147] Before the second trial began, Arthur removed five federal office holders who were sympathetic with the defense, including a former senator. [163] Frelinghuysen also discontinued Blaine's peace efforts in the War of the Pacific, fearing that the United States might be drawn into the conflict. 4, 1885 Political Party Republican Party (1854-1886), Whig Party (Before 1856) Personal Info Born Oct. 5, 1829 Died Nov. 18, 1886 (at age 57) Religion Episcopal School Union College State and National Law School Profession Getty Images / Library of Congress / Contributor. [102][103] In the state elections of 1879, he and Conkling worked to ensure that the Republican nominees for state offices would be men of Conkling's faction, who had become known as Stalwarts. Chester A. Arthur 's tenure as the 21st president of the United States began on September 19, 1881, when he succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of President James A. Garfield, and ended on March 4, 1885. Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Chester, or Chet, as he was known, attended Union College in Schenectady, New York. [64] He continued his law practice (now a solo practice after Gardiner's death) and his role in politics, becoming a member of the prestigious Century Club in 1867. [187] In 1882, he signed the Edmunds Act into law; the legislation made polygamy a federal crime, barring polygamists both from public office and the right to vote. [65] His ascent in the party hierarchy kept him busy most nights, and his wife resented his continual absence from the family home on party business. He was the fifth of eight children born to William Arthur, a Baptist minister, and Malvina Stone Arthur. [112] Arthur thought otherwise and accepted. [176] Based on the suggestions in the report, Congress appropriated funds, signed into law by Arthur, for the construction of three steel protected cruisers (Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago) and an armed dispatch-steamer (Dolphin), collectively known as the ABCD Ships or the Squadron of Evolution. General Chester Arthur's Civil War ended effective January 1, 1863. [40] In 1852, Arthur moved again, to Cohoes, New York, to become the principal of a school at which his sister, Malvina, was a teacher. His most famous case was his suit against a . [160] Republicans considered the law a success at the time, but later concluded that it contributed to their loss of seats in the elections of 1882. Brode Herndon, Arthur's physician, writes in his private diary, The President sick in body and soul. Arthur had been diagnosed that year with Bright's disease, a fatal kidney ailment; his health will deteriorate rapidly while being kept secret from the general public. [110] Levi P. Morton, the first choice of Garfield's supporters, consulted with Conkling, who advised him to decline, which he did. [149] Both Democratic and Republican leaders realized that they could attract the votes of reformers by turning against the spoils system and, by 1882, a bipartisan effort began in favor of reform. His first son died suddenly when he was only three years old. [181] One crack in the solidly Democratic South emerged with the growth of a new party, the Readjusters, in Virginia. Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Executive Branch read more, The Republican William Howard Taft worked as a judge in Ohio Superior Court and in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals before accepting a post as the first civilian governor of the Philippines in 1900. The Democratic nominee, General Winfield Scott Hancock was popular and having avoided taking definitive positions on most issues of the day, he had not offended any pivotal constituencies. Although Garfield initially survived the shooting, he battled infections and died two months later, at age 49, on September 19. Arthur issues a proclamation recommending the observance of the 100th anniversary of General George Washington returning his commission as commander-in-chief to the Continental Congress. "[36] During his time at school, he gained his first political inclinations and supported the Whig Party. 10 Interesting Facts About Chester Arthur 10. Arthur was born in Fairfield, Vermont, grew up in upstate New York and practiced law in New York City. [162] Blaine, venturing a greater involvement in affairs south of the Rio Grande, proposed a Pan-American conference in 1882 to discuss trade and an end to the War of the Pacific being fought by Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. [72] The Collector was responsible for hiring hundreds of workers to collect the tariffs due at the United States' busiest port. In the White House, Chester Arthurs sister Mary McElroy (1841-1917) often took on the role of hostess for social functions. [192] To rejuvenate his health outside the confines of Washington, Arthur and some political friends traveled to Florida in April 1883. Arthur urged Congress to increase funding for Native American education, which it did in 1884, although not to the extent he wished. After James Garfield was assassinated in 1881, Chester A. Arthur became President of the United States. Silver Brooch Chester 1897 AJS Arthur Johnson Smith with Safety Chain Victorian. Arthur took this step to ensure procedural compliance; there had been a lingering question about whether a state court judge (Brady) could administer a federal oath of office. In 1871, an era of political machines and patronage, Arthur was named to the powerful position of customs collector for the Port of New York. Arthur and Governor Cleveland walked across the bridge along with the 7th regiment as part of the celebration. [3], Suffering from poor health, Arthur made only a limited effort to secure the Republican Party's nomination in 1884, and he retired at the end of his term. [132] Also, after Conkling's resignation, the Senate had adjourned without electing a president pro tempore, who would normally follow Arthur in the succession. During this time, Arthur joined the Republican Party, which was established by anti-slavery activists in 1854. In addition, contemporary newspaper articles, including the 1871 stories about his appointment as Collector of the Port of New York, all indicate that he was born in Vermont, though some incorrectly give his birthplace as. When the Brooklyn Bridge opened, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world and one of the most revolutionary structures of the era. Chester A. Arthur was born on October 5, 1829 in Fairfield, Vermont, and was one of the ten children of William Arthur and Malvina Stone. Author of "The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur," Greenberger provided an encyclopedic overview of the life and legacy of the country's 21st president. Arthur also worked to outlaw polygamy in Utah, opposed the exclusion of Chinese and modernized the Navy. Still, the crowd of people who showed up for the event were unaware, and the President received a spectacular welcome. Arthur became a member of the New York State Militia in the late 1850s, although he never saw combat. [74] Grant offered the position to John Augustus Griswold and William Orton, each of whom declined and recommended Arthur. [96], Arthur's job was spared only until July 1878, when Hayes took advantage of a Congressional recess to fire him and Cornell, replacing them with the recess appointment of Merritt and Silas W. 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