The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-09-29
THE NEW PRESIDENT.
Biographical sketch ~ Chester 4.
Arthur


Biographical sketch ~ Chester A.
Arthur.
Chester A. Arthur was born At Fairfield,
Franklin county, Vermont, Oct. 8, 1880. SO ny
his biographers, and 90 says tho official record,
although other and uuofiicial authorities have
located his birthplace on the other side Of the
Canada line. His father. william Arthur, was
81 itinerant Baptist preacher, born in County
Antrim, Ireland, and educated at Belfast Col.
legc. The young licentiats came ct oncs to
America, and here married and began his work.
which, In busy lie ending Oct. ~, 1875 led
him to many pulpita In Vermont and New York
and TO some In Canada, tho town Of Fairfield,
VT, being among thom.
Tho early days Of Chester A. Arthur's tuition
we're passed under the tutelage Of his father.
From his homo studies he went 70 the
wider held Of instruction ct Schenectady, N. T.,
In tho grammar school Of which place he Was
prepared for entering Union College. AZ lS
years VI age, therefore, in l045, hs entered
Union, and, after : regular course, graduated
hiah in his class. Like many another Ambi-
tious but impecunious student, young Arthur
taught school in the vacations Of college spe-
cially provided Tor that purpose. Il d coinci-
young student from Union College and young
student (0ar6elO from Williams both taught
school in North rownAl, W
With $500 in his pocket, the frugal savings
Of echool-master's scanty pay, Arthur went to
New York city and entered the lAw-ofice OF
Hon. Erastus D. Culver, and Was in 1854 ad-
nitted to tho practice Of law. But clients did
young legal friend in like circumstances and
frame OF mind, two brie0ess young lawyers
roamed the Western States for three months,
seeking place to locate. In the end, not sat-
isasd with the advice Of Greeley, tho young
men returned 70 New York and pooled their L.
sues IN the arm name q Arthur \ Gardner.
About this time Mr. Arthur made happy mat
rimoniAl alliance, marrying tho only daughter
OF Lieut. Herndcn. U. b N.-the brave Hern-
don who wont down With the Aspinwall stsam-
ship Central American, which he commanded.
Mrs. Arthur died In January, 1850, leaving two
children, SON now In his 10th and daughter
The career q The young lawyer Wa made
more successful By tho interest he took in poll
tics and the militia. He WAS at the front In
caucuuoo and conventions, and on military
parades. His earlier political instincts were
With the Whigs but With the decadence Of that
party he Joined the multitude OF American youth
lAt the North) in advancing the standard of the
Republican party. He VA. indeed, : delegate
to The Saratoga Convention that organized the
Republican party IN the State OF New York, and
was delegate IN succeeding State conventions.
year after year, until he had attained the Chair
imanship Of the State Committee and the NOM
nation 20 tho vics Presidency.
Gov. Morgan. IN organizing his milit ary
star ii 1861, named Mr.. Arthur q Engineer in
Chief. He had lust before this held tho posi-
ton Of Judge Advocate Of the Second Brigade,
New York city. A iltle later, Gen. Arthur
M appointed Inspector General ON tho Gov
srnor's staff, and 90 continued during tho first
year or the great civil war-A year busy with
the organisation aud inspection Of volunteer
for tho field. On Jan. n, l68A Gov. Morgan
advanced Gen. Arthur to the moro important
post Of QuArtsrmaster General, which position
he held until tho expiration Of Aorgans term
of oliice at the end Of that year.
In July, 1861, Gen. Arthur Was invited TO b
of New York, held for the purpose Of diacnssine
measurcs whereby tho Union armies could =
kept with full ranks, and It 10 said be was the
only psrsou present who was not Governor
In the same year he Was on the stan Of Mai
Gen. Hunt, In tho Army Of the Potomac, a. il
speclor ot New York troops in the tield. With
the end OF Gov. MorgAn's term Of olice, ~
already stated, Gen. Arthur's military career
ended, and be returned to the law. Business d
4 most lucrative character now poured in upol
him. Much Of this work consisted IN the col
lection OF war claims and the drafting Of bill
for legislation. In consequence, . great dea
or his time Was spent At Albany or IN WAsh
ington. whore hls successes won him renowI
hardly second 10 that OF any other lobbyist
He held for short time the position OF coun
sel 10 the Board 0f Tax Commissioners N Nev
York city, At el0, 900 year, aud IN November