Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-11-24


were fewer and fainter, and without pain or
struggle, at five O'Clock, Thursday morning
he entered upon tho long, eternal sleep.
The funeral Of Mr.. Arthur IL appointed to
take place at $50 a. m, Monday, the 22nd
inst, from the church of Heavenly Rest, 5th
Avenue, Rt. Rev. DR.. Parker Morgan offlci-
ating; the burial to be at tho Albany Rural
Cemetery, In the Arthur family plot.
Ex-President Arthur was born at Fairfield,
Franklin County, Vermont, October S, 1880,
being the eldest Of seven children, two sons
and five daughters, Of Rev. VIM. Arthur D.
D., Baptist clergyman, who came to the
United States from Ballymena, Ireland, at
the age Of eighteen years, he then being a
graduate Of the University Of Belfast and
especially versed in tho knowledge Of Latin
and the Greek classics. In log cabin, in
tho northeast. portion Of Fairfield, tho sub
ject of this sketch was born, his father being
the founder Of a Baptist church, whose ear
liest services were held in barn.
But the pastor Of that rustic church, with
his strong intellect, scholarly attainments
and rare eloquence rose to distinction in
the ministry and in the domain Of author
ship, and from 1855 to 1868 was pastor Of the
Calvary Baptist Church Of New York city
where he was accounted one Of the ablest
clergymen of the metropolis. He died near
Albany, Oct. q, 1876. The mother of a
future President, whose maiden name was
Halvina Stone, was endowed with a rich
intellectually, and Gen. Arthur inherited
talents Of the highest order.
Young Arthur began his preparation for
college at the age Of twelve years at the
Academy at Greenwich, Washington county
N. T., and graduated at the Grammar school
at Schenectady. He entered Union college
In 1S45, when only Is years of ago, teaching
school during the winter months to earn
money to 60 on with his education. He
graduated in 1s4s, at tho age Of 1s. He had
then determined to become q lawyer, and
alternated tho period Of his legal studies
with teaching, 30 that when admitted to tho
bar in 1853, he had the capital Of $500, saved
by tho stricted economy, with which to be'
gin his business life.
The young lawyer soon reached position
Of prominence from appearing a. chief
counsel in tho celebrated Lennon slave
case, though associated with VIM. NJ.
Evarts, whereby tho court OF appeals set
tied the right Of slaves to their freedom
when brought into tho state Of New York
b3 their masters. Into this case he threw
his inherited anti-slavery sentiments and
exhibited the force Of his legal ability. In
another case he won victory for human
rights, the suit of q young colored woman
who was rejected from the horse cars and was
awarded decree Of $500. His political
life began in 1855, and was contempora-
ncous with the origin Of the Republican
party. Recognizing his promise Gov. E. D.
Morgan had made him . member Of his
gubernatorial staff and tho day after the
guns opened on Sumter gave him command
Of the quartermasters department at New
York City.
In this position he exhibited marked bus
tness grasp, valuable economy and inflexi-
bio integrity. In 1871 President Grant ap-
pointed him Collector of the Port of New
York, and in 1875 hs was Esnominated by
the same President, and confirmed without
reference to . committee, a compliment
never given before except to ex-Senators.
he was tho first collector. ever reappointed
tor second term, and with scarce m ex-
ception the only one who, for City years,
had held the Office for moro than the term Of
four years. In 1873 he was succeeded by
Gen. Merritt and returned to the practice Of
his profession. He was natural organizer
of men and forces and had high prominence
in his party In New York and in 1s79 was at
the head Of the organization 49,
In tho national convention Of 1880 hs
supported Gen. Grant, and after tho
nomination Of Gen. Garfield, was chosen
tor vice-P President. By the tragic death Of
President Garfield he became President and
bore himself in that exalted station with an
ability and dignity which enhanced his
lustrous fame. From the Presidential
Office he passed again to his law Office, but
before he had time TO pick up the scattered
threads Of his profession disease overlook
him, and his career was ended. & q
Nearly twenty five years ago he married
the daughter Of the heroic captain W. L.
Herndon Of the United States Navy, whose
death In January 1879 bereft him Of tbs
compsnionship Of beildant woman, .
devoted vito and admirable mother, to
whose memory he was lovingly loyal Mrs.
Arthur was born at Frederic1sburE,
Virginia, and on her mother 'sside descended
from . Georgia family Of excellence and
worth. Thsir two children. son, named
Tor ms father h now twenty-five yeaz1 of
ago and engaged IN tho legal profession,