Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-11-26
Ex-PRESlDENT ARTHUR.

EX-PrcSldent Chester Allan Arthur,
whose death at his home on Thursday
morning of last week is announced was
born in Fairfield, VT. Oct. >. 1880. being
the oldest son of Rev.Dr William Arthur,
a Baptist clergyman, who immigrated to
this country from Ireland. Young
Arthur enjoyed the tutelage of his father
until he was fifteen years of age, when
he entered Union College, where he
graduated in 1913 with high honors, in
Guiding position among the members of
the Phi Beta Kappa. His fathers salary
was not a large one, and the family was
of good size, so that Chester helped out
the income by teaching while he was
still student. lie was inclined toward
the law; and that was the profession
therefore for which he studied, support
ing himself meanwhile by teaching. \
curious coincidence it is that while he
was prcccptor of an academy at North
POwnal, VT, he had as IL fellow instruct
or for several months james \. Garfield.
with whom in after life he was to be
associated in the highest national offices.
In 1888 Mr.. Arthur went to New York
by the invitation of Hon. Erastus ID.
Culver, who took "A great interest in him.
and before the close of the year the law
firm of his friend became Culver, Parker
q Arthur. Untiring industry and vigor-
Gus understanding combined to push the
young lawyer to the front, and among
his cases were several in the interests of
slaves and freedmen, handled by Mr..
Arthur with much success. One of these
cases, won in 1855, asserted the rights of
colored people in public conveyances,
and the anniversary of the day on which
the case was won was for years afterward
celebrated by the negroes of New York.
Early in life Arthur had taken an inter
est in politics, and with his first vote had
identified himself with the Wings. When
the Republican party was formed Mr..
Arthur was "A prominent member of the
Young Mems Vigilance committee, which
advocated the election of Fremont and
Dayton. The military also attracted
him, and his appointment aS Judge adj
vocate general on the staff of Brigadier
General Yates, strict disciplinarian,
gave him useful knowledge. When Mr..
Morgan was elected governor of New
York he appointed his friend engineer
in-chicf on his staff and when Fort Sum
ter was fired upon he ordered Arthur to
act As State quartermaster general In
this position Mr.. Arthur displayed Il
great capacity for leadership and organ
iZation and manifested strict regard for
his responsibility. 1t was difficult task
for he had in his hands the duty of quar-
tering, subsisting. uniforming, equipping
and arming New Iork's soldiers for the
war. In 1862 he was appointed inspector
general. While inspecting the New
York troops in the Army of the Potomac
as an advance on Richmond was daily
expected. he volunteered for duty. Pre-
vious to this he had wished to accept a
colonelcy in active service, which had
been offered him, but Gov. Morgan re-
State, as he could not well be spared.
The governor also called Gen. Arthur
back from the Army of the Potomac to
assist in the work of recruiting at home.
In December, 1868, the Democrats
came into power in the State and Gen.
Arthur was then retired. ReSuming his
professional duties at first in partn rship
with Mr.. Gardiner and afterwards alone,
he became counsel to the city department
of taxes and assessments, but this po-
sition he promptly resigned when Tam
many attempted to coerce the Republicans
connected with the municipal depart
ments. In 1871 the afterwards we'll
known firm of Arthur, Phelps. kneval &
Ransom was formed, and that same veal
Gen. Arthur was appointed by President
Grant collector of the port of New York.
In this office he instituted many reform,
of management, all tending to simplify
the business and to divest it, to Il great
extent. of the details and routine that
were veXatious to the mercantile classes
So satisfactory was his management thai
he was renominated by President Grant
and the nomination was unanimously
confirmed by the Senate without refer
ence to Il committee, compliment very
rarely paid, except to eX-SenatOrs. Gen
Arthur was one of the very few collec
tors of New York who, in fifty years
ever held the office for more than the
whole term of four years. After sin
years of service Collector Arthur wa
succeeded by Gen. Merritt. Subsequent
ly he became chairman of the Republican
State committee, and AT the national con
vention in 1850 he was chosen aS tn,
Republican candidate for Vice President
associated with Gen. Garfield, candidate
for President. The election of the two
the tragic death of President Garfield anC
the consequent elevation of Gen. Arthur
to the highest national office, are recen