Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Arthur, Chester Allan
ARTHUR, Chester Allan, twenty-first President of the United States, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, October 5, 1830. His father was a Scotchman, and pastor of Baptist churches in Vermont and New York. After his graduation as B.A. from Union College, Mr. Arthur studied law and began the practice (1850) in New York City, where he has since resided. Originally a Whig, he joined the Republican Party on its formation, and soon became a prominent leader in New York. At the outbreak of the civil war he was entrusted by Gov. Morgan with the arming and subsisting of the troops raised in New York, and was successively made Engineer-in-Chief, Inspector-General, and Quartermaster-General, equipping and sending to the field sixty-eight regiments of infantry, six battalions and ten batteries in the space of four months. In 1871 he was appointed Collector of the port of New York City, which position he retained until 1878, when he was removed by President Hayes. When the dissensions arose in the Republican Party, Mr. Arthur placed himself on what is known as the "Stalwart" side. At the National Convention in Chicago in 1880 the Anti-Stalwart wing was successful in preventing the nomination of Gen. Grant to the Presidency, and in securing that of Mr. Garfleld. Mr. Arthur was then nominated as Vice-President in order that both wings of the Party might be represented on the ticket. The Republicans were successful in the ensuing election, and the assassination of President Garfield within six months of his inauguration by Charles J. Guiteau, raised Mr. Arthur to the Presidency, September 19, 1881.