Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886) was the 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. Before becoming president, he was most noted as the Collector of Customs for the Port of New York, a job he got from his political friendships. Arthur was the first president of the United States to take oath of office at his own house.[1]
Chester A. Arthur | |
---|---|
21st President of the United States | |
In office September 19, 1881 – March 4, 1885 | |
Vice President | None |
Preceded by | James A. Garfield |
Succeeded by | Grover Cleveland |
20th Vice President of the United States | |
In office March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881 | |
President | James A. Garfield |
Preceded by | William A. Wheeler |
Succeeded by | Thomas A. Hendricks |
Personal details | |
Born | Fairfield, Vermont | October 5, 1829
Died | November 18, 1886 New York City, New York | (aged 57)
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur |
Arthur was a lawyer in New York City. Two of his cases were famous. One confirmed that any slave brought to New York was automatically set free. The other ended the racial segregation of streetcars in the city.
After President James A. Garfield died, vice-president Chester Arthur replaced him. The man who killed him expected the new president to pardon him. This did not happen.
During Arthur's term a major problem was that people were appointing their friends (such as himself) into high political offices instead of people who were most qualified to do the job. The problem was solved after he promoted the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act which required people to pass tests before they could be appointed to a public job.
Chester A. Arthur Media
Arthur's birthplace in Fairfield, Vermont
The home in Manhattan where Arthur spent most of his adulthood years
Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886) Twenty-first President (1881-1885) Chester Arthur posed for this daguerreotype before his marriage to Ellen Herndon in 1859. Now in his late twenties, he was just beginning rise as the "Gentleman Boss" of his state's Republican party - a nickname largely inspired by Arthur's lifelong fondness for scrupulously tailored clothing.
Arthur married Ellen Herndon in 1859.
The New York Custom House (formerly the Merchants' Exchange building at 55 Wall Street) was Arthur's office for seven years.
A cartoon depicting President Rutherford B. Hayes kicking Arthur out of the New York Custom House
Arthur taking the oath of office as administered by Judge John R. Brady at Arthur's home in New York City, September 20, 1881
References
- ↑ "10 Interesting Facts About Chester Arthur". Republican Presidents.net. 28 February 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
Other websites
- Arthur's White House biography Archived 2009-01-17 at the Wayback Machine