Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-11-27
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF Elk.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR.

Chester A. Arthur was the twenty-tirst pres
dent of this republic, and the only son Of
Vermont who has attained this distinction.
He was born In Fairfield, Franklin county,
VT, Oct. 5, 1880, being thus In his ifty-sixth
year when death suddenly ended his earthly
career. His father was the Rev. William Ar
thur, a Baptist clergyman, who came to this
country from Ireland when eighteen years
old. He had charge of a church in New York
city for a number Of years; had published a
work OF considerable merit on Family
Names" and Lad held a prominent place in
the ministry OF his denomination long before
his son became much Known. He died in 1875.
Chester was the eldest of a family OF five
children-two sons and three daughters. He
fitted himself for college in the Vermont ae-
ademies. At the age Of l5 he entered Union
college at Schenectady, n. T., where he grad
ua.ed in the class Of 40, when 10 years old.
He partly paid his way at college by teaching.
After his graduation he returned TO Vermont
and continued teaching for a few years. For
a time he was principal of the Pownal acade-
my. But while teaching he had begun the
study Of the law, and, having saved sufli-
cient money to carry him through his pro-
fessional duties, he went to New York and en-
tered the office Of ex-Judge Culver. After
his admission TO the bar, young Arthur, In
company with his friend, II. ID. Gardiner,
made an extended tour o. the west in search
OF "A location. But they found no place that
suited, and, returning to the metropolis, the
two young men formed a partnership, opened
an Office, and began the practice OF law away
down az the foot OF the ladder.
When well established in his profession Mr..
Arthur was married TO a daughter OF Lieut..
H%trndon, of the navy, who, with his ship.
was lost at sea, and whose widow was voted "A
gold medal by congress for his fidelity Mrs
Arthur died In 1879, before her husbands
election to the vice presidency.
In 1872. when elay,hOldprsc claimed the rich
to take and hold their slaves wherever they
chose TO 90, a Virginian with eight slaves went
TO New York on his way to Texas. His ne
groes were seized on a writ OF habeas corpus,
and their case was tried before Judge Paine,
Mr.. Arthur and William NJ. Evarts serving as
their advocates. The case was won for the
slaves, and Mr.. Arthur was never forgotten
by the colored race for his part In IL. Another
case of a similar kind Is recorded TO bis credit
as a man OF justice and humanity. A poor
colored girl was elected from a New York
street car after she had paid her fare. Mr..
Arthur brought suit for damages and recover
ei 800 for the girl. The case brought the
whole matter Def re the public through the
press, and resulted In reversing the street
railroad order against other colored passen-
gers.
AS a young man President Arthur was a
Wing and a great admirer of Henry CLAY.
When the convention met at Saratoga, which
organized the Republican party Of New York,
Arthur was a delegate. In that party he was,
therefore, at home, having assisted in form
ing II. Its Ideas and purposes were his own
The governor of New York in 1860 appoint
ed Mr.. Arthur to the position of engineer-in
chief on his staff. He was afterward inspec
tOr-general FOR "A time. later he was quarter
master-general Of the militia of the state Ill
the close OF Gov. Morgan's term In 1863. Tn
work OF eauipping, supplying and transport