The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-11-26
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
THE SUCCESSOR OF GARFIELD PASSES
AWAY.

EX-Ircsluent Cnester "A. Arthur d1ed
at o'clock Thursday morning of last
week at his residence, No. 1923 Lex
ington avenue, MY. He had been ailing
for some time from complication of
diseases. principally kidney affection.
He had spent the summer at a water
ing place and it was supposed that this
had strengthened somewhat his enfee-
bled constitution. His death was un-
expected, 1t not being supposed outside
of his house that he was in any imme-
6iate danger. AS soon az the news OF
the death was announced many flags
we're placed at half mast on public and
private buildings. A stroke of cere-
bral apoplexy, sudden, but not wholly
unexpected by his physicians, termi-
mated Mr.. Arthur's life. The stroke
came in his sleep during Tuesday night
and be did not rally thereafter. For
hours before the end came he was un-
conscious to his surroundings. His
son and daughter, his sister, his former
law partner, Sherman w. Knevals, and
his closest friend, Surrogate Rollins
we're at his bedside. The funeral took
place on Monday at a. M, from the
Church of Heavenly Rest, on Fifth
Avenue. The Rev, DR.. Parker Nor
gan officiating. Mr.. Arthur was not a
member of any church, but his wife
formerly attended that church. The
remains will be inferred in Albany
Rural Cemetery in the family plot.
President Cleveland sent the follow
ing telegram Of sympathy to Mrs. Nc
Elroy the ex-Presidents sister;
Accept my heartfelt sympathy in
your personal grief and the expression
of my sorrow for the death of one who
was my kind and considerate friend.
The people of the country will sincere
ly mourn the loss of a citizen who
served them well in their highest trust
and won tteir affection by an exhibit
tion of the best traits of true American
character"
Chester Alan Arthur was born in
Fairfield. Franklin county, Vermont,
October 5, 1880, the oldest of two sons
of the Rev. DIR. William Arthur. He
had four sisters older and two younger
than himself. His father, Baptist
clergyman, emigrated from Rallymena
County Anttim, Ireland, and was
graduate of Belfast university, He
was the author of work on Family
names and published The antiquarian.
Ex-President Arthur entered Union
College at the early age OF 15 and grad
uated high in the class of 1S4S, sup
porting himself while at college by
teaching, and in the same manner
while studying law. In 1858 he went
to New York and entered the law
Office of ex-Judge E. d. Culver, was
admitted to the bar the same year and
began the practice of law. In 1859
he was married to Ellen Lewis Hern-
don, of Fredericksburg, Virginia,
daughter of Captain William Lewis
Herndon, who heroically remained a.
his post and went down with his ship,
the Central America, in 1857, his wild
ow being voted gold medel by Con
gress in recognition of his bravery
Mrs. Arthur died in January 1880,
leaving two children, Chester Alan,
aged Is, and Ellen Herndon, aged 8
years.
Mr. Arthur first distinguished him
self in the Lennon slave case in which
he was attorney for the people, Will
lam nj. Evarts being the leading coun-
sci. They maintained that the eight
slaves of Jonathan Lennon, of Vir-
ginia, were rendered free by the act
of the master in bringing them into
free territory and Judge Paine ordered
the slaves released. In 1856 Mr.. Ar
thur secured verdict against a street
car company for ejectipg colored girl
from car after she had paid her fare
Mr.. Arthur was active in politics as
a Henry Clay Whig, and was a men,
Der of the convention which founded
the Republican party of New York.
He was Judge Advocate of the Second
brigade of the State Militia, and he
held the offices of Engineer in Chief,
Inspector General and Quartermaster
General during the term of Governor
Morgan. He conducted the duties of
his office in equipping, supplying and
forwarding immense numbers of troops
with such skill that bis accounts were
allowed at Washington without de.
duction, while those of some of the
States were reduced by millions of
dollars. He never pro6ted a penny
from this business and left the Office
poorer than shen be took it, always
having rejt cted all presents. He was
the ouly person not Governor who
was present at the secret meeting of
Loyal Governors in 1862
Returning TO the practice of law in
1868, he built up large business of
collecting claims against the govern
ment. He was conspicuous in the cou-
vention of 1864, in preventing the
nomination o. Dickinson and securing
the nomination of Andrew johnson.
In November of 1871 he was ap-
pointed by President Grant Cole ctor
of Customs in New York, to succet d
Thomas Murphy. In July of 1878
Mr.. Arthur and Mr.. a. b, Cornell,
naval officer of the port, were suspend.
cd from Office for failure to comply
with an oider Of Il. 3. Hayes forbid
dug persons in the civil service from
taking an active part in politics The
President and Secretary of the Treas
ury acknowledge the purity of his of
fetal acts.
Returning to the practice of law aud
continuing active in politics, he con-
tributed materially to the election of
Governor Cornell. He supported G,n-
eial Grant for third term at Chicago
in 1880, and was nominated for the
Vice Presidency for The purpose OF
reconciing the dissu oiuitd Grant
faction on June 6, Of that year. Eject
cd Vice President in Move mher follow
ing, lie sided with tie New York Sen.
atols against Pr, sident Garfield after
Their resignation, and went to Albany
to secure their Ie. election.
At this time President Garfield was
shol, aud Mr. Arthur's efforts for Mr..
Coukliug we're at once abandoned.
On the death of the president, Mr..
Arthur took the oath of office at his
home in New York on the morning of
September 20th, and before the chief