The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-30
THE NEW PRESIDENT.
Biographical sketch Of Chester A.
Arthur.


Chester A. Arthur was born at Fairfield,
Franklin county, Vermont, Oct 8, 1880. 30 say
his biographers, and 80 says the official record,
although other and unofficial authorities have
located his birthplace on the other side of tho
Canada line His father, William Arthur, was
an itinerant Baptist preacher, born in County
Antrim, Ireland, and educated at Belfast Col
lege. The young hcentiate came at once to
America, and here married and began his work,
which, in a busy life ending Oct. a. 1875, led
him to many pulpits in Vermont and New York
and to some in Canada, the town Of Fairfield,
VT, being among them.
The early days Of Chester A. Arthur's tuition
we're passed under the tutelage Of his father
From his home studies he went to the
wider field OF instruction at Schenectady, N. Y,
in the grammar school of which place he was
prepared for entering Union College. At 10
years of age, therefore, in 1915, he entered
Union, and, after a regular course, graduated
high IN his class. Like many another ambi-
tious but impecunious student, young Arthur
taught school in the vacations Of college spe-
cially provided for that purpose. 1t is coinci-
dence that in these days Of sturdy struggle the
young student from Union College and a young
student (Garfeld) from Williams both taught
school in North Pownal, VT.
With $500 in his pocket, the frugal savings
of school-master's scanty pay, Arthur went to
New York city and entered the law-office of
Hon. Erastus ID. Culver, and was in 1852 adj
mitted to the practice of law. But clients did
not then flock TO his standard, and, with
young legal friend In like circumstances and
frame OF mind, two briehess young lawyers
roamed the Western States for three months,
seeking place to locate. In the end, not sat
isfed with the advice of Greeley, the young
men returned to New York and pooled their is
- A.. - Al
About this time MIR. Arthur made happy mat
rimonial alliance, marrying the only daughter
of Lieut.. Herndon, U. s. N.-the brave Hern-
don who went down with the Aspinwall steam
ship Central American, which he commanded.
Mrs. Arthur died in January, 1880, leaving two
children, son now in his 10th and daughter
in her 10th year.
The career of the young lawyer was made
more successful by the interest he took in poll
tics and the militia. He was at the front in
caucuses and conventions, and on military
parades His earlier political instincts were
with the Wings but with the decadence of that
party he joined the multitude of American youth
Cat the North) in advancing the standard Of the
Republican party. He was, indeed, delegate
to the Saratoga Convention that organized the
Republican party III the State Of New York, and
was delegate in succeeding State conventions
year after year. until he had attained the Chair
manship Of the State Committee and the NOM
nation to the Vice Presidency.
Gov. Morgan, In organizing his milit airy
staff in 1861 named MIR. Arthur as Engineer in
Chief. He had just before this held the posi-
ton Of Judge Advocate of the Second Brigade,
New York city, little later, Gen: Arthur
was appointed Inspector General on the Gov
ernor's staff, and 80 continued during the first
year of the great civil war-a year busy with
the organization and inspection of volunteers
for the field. On Jan. ~, 1862, Gov. Morgan
advanced Gen. Arthur to the more important
post of Quartermaster General, which position
he held until the expiration of Morgan's term
Of Office at the end of that year.
In July, 1862, Gen. Arthur was invited to be
present at a meeting Of Governors in the city
OF New York, held for the purpose Of discussing
measures whereby the Union armies could be
kept with full ranks, and it is said he was the
only person present who was not Governor.
In the same year Ire was on the staff of Maj
Gen. Hunt in the Army Of the Potomac, as in
spector of New York troops in the field With
the end OF Gov. Morgan's term OF Office, as
already stated, Gen. Arthurs military career
ended and he returned to the law Business Of
a most lucrative character now poured in upon
him. Much of this work consisted in the col
lection of war claims and the drafting of bills
for legislation. In consequence, a great deal
of his time was spent at Albany or IN WASH
ington, where his successes won him renown
hardly second TO that of any other lobbyist
He held for a short time the position of coun-
York city, at $4,000 year, and Ill November,
1871, was appointed by President Grant to be
Collector of the Port Of New York.
On the 28th Of January, 1879, John Sherman
Secretary of the Treasury, addressed commu-
nication to President Hayes setting forth the
necessity for change IN the New York Collect
orship, saying that the Treasury Department
stood ready to submit proof that "gross abuses
of administration have continued and increased
during his [Arthur's] incumbency."
The removal Of Arthur and the appointment
OF Gen. Merritt as Collector Of the Port fol-
lowed.
The history Of that memorable struggle at
Chicago, which led up TO the nomination Of
Garfield in June, 1880. is fresh in the minds Of
the people. After Garfield mad been nomina-
ted, on the sixth day, the convention took q
recess, with the tacit understanding that New
York might, II it would, name candidate for
the Vice Presidency. The Now York delega-
ton. therefore, spent the intervening hour in
caucus, with closed doors. Mr.. Levi p. Nor
ton, now Minister to France, declined to be
considered as a candidate. Vice President
Wheeler, Lieut.. Gov. Hoskins and ex-Gov.
Woodford we're presented without favorable re-
sponse The sense OF the caucus was so large
" in favor Of Arthur that, after half an hours
talk, all other names being withdrawn, it was
determined to present his alone. When the
convention reassembled, late in the afternoon
Of Tuesday, June 8, the nomination OF Arthur