Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-11-24
THE DEAD EX-PRESIDENT.
Sketch of the Life and Services of Chester
A. Arthur.


pence, 1913 Lexington Avenue, New
York. The immediate cause was
cerebral apoplexy, which, however,
was but the result of long illness
from Bright's disease of the kidneys.
The stroke came in his sleep between
Tuesday night and Wednesday morn
ing and he did not rally thereafter.
His death was painless, the slow going
out of a burned-down candle, and for
hours before the end came ne
was conscious of his surround
ings. His son and daughter, his
sister, his former law partner, Sher-
man w. Knevals, and his closest
friend, Surrogate Rawlins, were at his
bedside. For many months Gen. Ar
thur had been a very sick man, and
although Immediately prior to the fa-
tai shock he was apparently brighter
and more cheerful than usual, his
death was not unexpected by his more
intimate friends. For two years he
had been suffering from acomplication
of Bright's disease Of the kidneys and
an enfeebled and enlarged heart. 1t
was this latter disorder that wrecked
his robust constitution and prepared
the way for the rupture OF the blood
vessel in his brain which caused his
death.
Chester Alan Arthur was elected vice.
president in $780, and became president OF
the United States on the death of James A.
Garfield, September 10, 1881 Hewas born
in Fairfield, Franklin County, Vermont,
October 5, 1880, the eldest Of two sons
o. the Rev. DR.. VIM. Arthur. He had four
sisters older and two younger than himself.
His father, q Baptist clergyman, at the
age of Is, emigrated from BallyInena,
County Antrim, Ireland. He was grad
uate of Belfast University. He was pastor
of the Calvary Baptist Church in Albany,
N. Y, from 1856 to 1865, and died in New
tonville, near that city, October 81, 1875.
The second con, VIM. Arthur, distinguished
himself in the Union army during the war,
and is now a paymaster IL the United
States army, with the rank OF major. A
thorough course in the best schools Of
Union Village and Schenectady, with care
full training in the classics by his father
enabled the President TO enter Union College
at the early age of is. He graduated high
in his class in 1S4S. He commenced the
study of law at Fowler's law school at
Ballston Spa. During his college course he
supported himself in part by teaching, and
after his graduation he continued at that
occupation several years, meanwhile devot-
he went to New York and entered the law
office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver, was ad-
mitted to the bar the same year,
and began the practice of law. In 1859
he was married to Ellen Lewis Herndon, OF
fredericksburg Vs., a daughter OF Capt.
VIM. Lewis Herndon, who heroically re-
manned at his post and went down with his
ship, the Central America, in 1857. His
widow was the recipient Of a gold medal,
voted by Congress, in recognition OF his
bravery. Mrs. Arthur died in 1850, leav-
ing two children, Chester Alan, aged 15,
and Ellen Herndon, aged 8.
Mr.. Arthur early took an active interest
in politics as a Henry Clay Whig and was
delegate to the convention at Saratoga
which founded the Republican party OF
New York. He also had fine taste for mil
itary affairs, and before the civil war was
Judge advocate OF the second brigade OF the
state militia. When Edwin D. Morgan be-
came governor of New York, at the begin
ming of 1860. he appointed Mr.. Arthur to
the position OF engineer-in-chief on his staff,
and he was afterwards made Inspector
general, and then quartermaster-geneTal OF
the military forces OF the state, an office
which he held until the end of Gov. Morgan g
term, at the close of 1868. He conducted
the duties of his office in equipping, sup
plying and forwarding the immense number
of troops furnished by the state with such
allowed at Washington without deduction,
where those of some of the states were re-
duced by millions of dollars.
In 1868 Gen. Arthur returned to the
practice of law, and built up large bust
ness in collecting claims against the
government. Meanwhile he took an
active part in politics and be-
came known for his skill as
an organizer and manager. On the goth ol
November, 1871, he was appointed by
President Grant collector OF customs al
the port of New York an Office to which be
was reappointed in 1875. President Hayes
after his accession to Office in 1877, pro-
mulgated an order forbidding persons in
the civil service of the government from
taking an active part in political manage.
ment. Mr.. Arthur was at that time chair
man of the Republican Central COMMITTEES
OF New York City, and A. B. Cornell
who held the position of naval officer
was chairman OF the State Central Commit
tee of the same party. Both gentlemen
neglected to comply with the Presidents
order by resigning their party positions
and were suspended from Office in July
1878. An attempt had previously been
made to supersede Gen. Arthur by remov
ing him and appointing his successor
during the session of the Senate
but the appointment was not confirmed
The successor appointed after his suspen
Sion III WIS cOuuTuOQ Ill O11Cc dU OIIe
following session Of the Senate. Two special
committees investigated Mr.. Arthur's ad
ministration of the collectors Office, and
reported nothing on which q charge Of Off
cial dereliction,, could be based. Both the
President and the secretary OF the treasury
IN connection with his suspension, acknowl
edged the purity of his official acts
A petition for his retention in office
signed by all the judges of the New York
courts, most of the prominent members Of
the bar. and nearly all the importing mer
chants of the city, was suppressed by Mr..
Arthur himself. The only accusation made
against him was that of disobeying the
Presidents orders in respect to active par
ticipation in political management. His
reforms in the methods of conducting the
business of the office were generally &C
knowledged.
On retiring from the Office OF collector
OF the port of New York, Mr.. Arthur
returned to the practice of law in
that city, and continued to take an
active part in politics, contributing ma
terially to the nomir alton and election OF
Mr.. Cornell TO the governorship of the
state. He was a Jealous supporter of the
claims of Gen. Grant to the Republican