Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur was born on January 26, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. He was the fifth of nine children born to William Arthur, a Baptist preacher and Irish immigrant, and Malvina Stone Arthur, from Vermont. Chester grew up in various locations in upstate New York as his father moved the family for his work. Arthur attended Union College, where he graduated with high honors in 1848. His early years laid the foundation for his later career in law and politics.

In 1859, Chester A. Arthur married Ellen Lewis Herndon, the daughter of a U.S. naval officer, in a ceremony that marked a significant point in Arthur's personal life. Ellen, affectionately known as "Nell," came from a well-connected family; her father, Captain William Lewis Herndon, was a noted explorer and naval officer. Her brother was an actor and her grandmother a strong force in Methodist Church circles. This marriage provided Arthur with influential connections and a stable, loving home life.

In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Chester A. Arthur as the Collector of the Port of New York, one of the most lucrative federal positions at the time. The appointment was part of the federal patronage system, where jobs were given based on political connections. Arthur's influence in the Republican political machine of New York helped secure this position. As Collector, he was responsible for the collection of tariffs, managing a significant portion of the federal government’s revenue, and implementing the patronage system within the customs house.

Chester A. Arthur was nominated for Vice President of the United States at the 1880 Republican National Convention, primarily as a way to balance the ticket headed by James Garfield, a more reform-minded candidate. Arthur, associated with the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party, was chosen to appease party members who were resistant to reform. His selection as a candidate was part of political maneuvering to secure votes for Garfield, and he was not expected to have a significant impact on policy as Vice President.

On July 2, 1881, President James Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Sixth Street Station of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad in Washington, D.C. Garfield’s assassin was disgruntled about not receiving a government post and had delusional beliefs about his role in the administration. Chester A. Arthur, as Vice President, was thrust into a delicate political situation, eventually assuming the presidency upon Garfield’s death on September 19, 1881, changing the course of his political career.

Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as the 21st President of the United States on September 20, 1881, following the death of President James A. Garfield. Arthur's ascension was unexpected, and he initially faced skepticism because of his association with the corrupt political machine as a part of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party. However, once in office, Arthur worked to reform the civil service and distinguished himself from the politics of patronage he had formerly supported. His presidency marked a significant shift in his political career and legacy.

On August 3, 1882, Chester A. Arthur vetoed a bill that would have restored the rank of General of the Army to former President Ulysses S. Grant with full retirement pay. Arthur, despite being close friends with Grant, felt it was unwise to set a precedent of restoring retired generals' ranks on a discretionary basis. Arthur's veto was one of the hallmarks of his efforts to curb political patronage and his administration's push towards more impartial governance actions.

On January 16, 1883, President Chester A. Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act into law, a major turning point in U.S. government employment practices. The Act mandated that government jobs be awarded based on merit rather than political affiliation, making it illegal to fire or demote government officials for political reasons. The act also forbade compulsory political donations from employees, which had been a significant source of campaign funds in the past. This legislation laid the groundwork for the modern professional civil service in the United States, shifting away from the patronage system.

On June 14, 1884, the Republican National Convention decided not to renominate Chester A. Arthur for President, instead nominating James G. Blaine. Despite Arthur's efforts to distance himself from the patronage system during his presidency, his long-standing association with the Stalwarts and the intense factionalism within the Republican Party contributed to the decision. Arthur's health was also a concern, as he had been diagnosed with Bright's Disease and was not in vigorous health. The Convention's choice marked an end to Arthur's political ascent, even as he left office having earned a degree of respect for his sincere efforts at reform.

Chester A. Arthur died on November 18, 1886, at the age of 57 in New York City. He had been suffering from Bright's Disease, a kidney ailment, and his health deteriorated rapidly in the final years of his life. Arthur left a legacy of civil service reform and a presidency that unexpectedly earned him respect and distinction. His funeral was attended by many dignitaries, and he was remembered for having surpassed the low expectations many had when he first assumed office. Arthur was buried beside his wife in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York.