Chester Arthur Facts – Powerful 21st President of USA
Read Chester Arthur facts, When most people think of U.S. Presidents, names like Lincoln, Washington, or Kennedy come to mind. But tucked quietly into American history is Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, a man with a mysterious past, a dramatic political rise, and a White House legacy far more intriguing than many realize.
Whether you’re a history buff, a trivia lover, or just curious about this often-overlooked figure, here are some fascinating Chester Arthur facts you probably didn’t know.
Who Was Chester A. Arthur?
Full Name: Chester Alan Arthur Born: October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont Died: November 18, 1886, in New York City, New York Political Party: Republican Presidency: 21st President of the United States (1881–1885)
Arthur assumed the presidency after the assassination of James A. Garfield, and his time in office was marked by unexpected reform, quiet dignity, and more than a few surprises.
Chester Arthur’s Birth Controversy: Was He Even American?
One of the most intriguing Chester Arthur facts is that he may not have been constitutionally eligible to be president. Rumors swirled during his lifetime that Arthur was actually born in Canada, not Vermont, as claimed.
Opponents alleged that his birthplace made him ineligible under the U.S. Constitution. Arthur never provided a birth certificate, and while most historians agree he was born in Vermont, the lack of hard evidence continues to spark speculation even today.
Education and Early Life
Arthur was the son of an abolitionist Baptist preacher, Reverend William Arthur, and Malvina Stone Arthur. His early life was spent moving frequently as his father’s ministry brought the family around New York and Vermont.
Chester Arthur School – He attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, graduating in 1848. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854, quickly making a name for himself as a skilled and ambitious attorney.
Religion: A Quiet Faith
Raised in a deeply religious household, Arthur was a devout Episcopalian, though he was known to be somewhat private about his faith. Unlike many politicians of his era, he didn’t use religion as a political platform. Still, his moral convictions deeply influenced his presidency, particularly in matters of reform and civil service ethics.
From Machine Politics to Reform Champion
Arthur was once a loyal cog in the corrupt New York political machine, serving as Collector of the Port of New York, a position notorious for patronage and kickbacks. But after becoming president, Arthur shocked the nation by doing something few expected: he reformed the very system that had made him.
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
One of Arthur’s greatest achievements was signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. This landmark law ended the “spoils system” and required government jobs to be awarded based on merit, not political connections.
Historians often cite this dramatic turnaround as one of the most unexpected and admirable chapters in presidential history.
Chester Arthur President – Presidential Style
Chester Arthur President – Nicknamed the “Gentleman Boss,” Chester Arthur was famous for his impeccable fashion sense. He owned more than 80 pairs of pants, changed clothes multiple times a day, and brought a flair of elegance to the White House.
He even hired Louis Comfort Tiffany to redecorate the White House interiors, setting a new standard for presidential luxury.
Personal Tragedy and Private Strength
Arthur’s wife, Ellen “Nell” Herndon Arthur, died of pneumonia in 1880, just a year before he became vice president. Her death devastated him, and he never remarried. In her honor, he kept a fresh bouquet of flowers by her portrait daily in the White House.
Did You Know? Unique Chester Arthur Facts
First president to take the oath in his own home: After Garfield’s death, Arthur was sworn in at his home in New York City, making it one of the few times in history this happened.
Suffered from a terminal illness in office: Arthur was secretly battling Bright’s disease, a fatal kidney condition. He kept his illness hidden and continued working despite declining health.
Didn’t seek reelection: Though eligible, Arthur didn’t run for a second term. Partly because of his illness, but also because he believed the country needed fresh leadership.
Legacy: More Than a Footnote
Though not often mentioned in the same breath as other presidents, Chester Arthur’s legacy is quietly profound. He proved that people, and politicians, can change for the better, even when no one expects them to.
His presidency laid the groundwork for a more professional, less corrupt federal government and showed that elegance, honor, and reform could coexist in American politics.
Final Thoughts on Chester Arthur
In the end, Chester A. Arthur is one of the most underappreciated presidents in American history. His journey from political insider to principled reformer is a lesson in integrity, transformation, and quiet leadership.
If you’re looking for a president who truly surprised the nation, and left it better than he found it, look no further than Chester Alan Arthur.
Quick Facts
Chester Arthur Nickname
“Elegant Arthur” – Known for his impeccable fashion sense and refined appearance.
Chester Arthur Birth and Early Life
Full Name: Chester Alan Arthur
Born: October 5, 1829
Birthplace: Fairfield, Vermont
Religion: Episcopalian
Education: Chester Arthur School
Attended public schools and Lyceum School
Graduated from Union College in 1848
Chester Arthur Family Background
Mother: Malvina Stone Arthur
Father: Reverend William Arthur
Siblings:
Sisters: Regina, Jane, Almeda, Ann Eliza, Malvina, Mary
Brothers: William and George
Chester Arthur Marriage and Children
Spouse: Ellen (Nell) Lewis Herndon Arthur (Married October 25, 1859, in New York City)
Children:
William Lewis Herndon Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur II
Ellen Herndon Arthur
Profession Before the Presidency
Early Careers:
Teacher
School Principal
Lawyer
Military Service:
Served in the New York State Militia during the Civil War
Appointed Brigade Judge Advocate in 1858
Retired as Quartermaster-General in 1862
Chester Arthur Political Party & Career
Collector of the Port of New York: 1871–1878
Vice President of the United States: March – September 1881
President of the United States: Assumed office on September 19, 1881 after the assassination of President James A. Garfield
Presidential Term: September 19, 1881 – March 4, 1885
Political Party: Republican
Inauguration: Took the oath of office on September 20, 1881, in New York City
Inaugural Address: Did not deliver a formal inaugural address
Chester Arthur President: Key Facts
Vice President: None (position remained vacant)
First Lady: Ellen Arthur (died before he assumed presidency)
Supreme Court Appointments
Horace Gray (1882)
Samuel Blatchford (1882)
Chester Arthur Cabinet Members
Secretary of State
James G. Blaine (March–December 1881)
Frederick T. Frelinghuysen (1881–1885)
Secretary of the Treasury
William Windom (March–November 1881)
Charles J. Folger (1881–1884)
Walter Q. Gresham (1884–1885)
Secretary of War
Robert T. Lincoln (1881–1885)
Attorney General
Wayne MacVeagh (March–October 1881)
Benjamin H. Brewster (1882–1885)
Postmaster General
Thomas L. James (March–December 1881)
Timothy O. Howe (1882–1883)
Walter Q. Gresham (1883–1884)
Frank Hatton (1884–1885)
Secretary of the Navy
William H. Hunt (1881–1882)
William E. Chandler (1882–1885)
Secretary of the Interior
Samuel J. Kirkwood (1881–1882)
Henry M. Teller (1882–1885)
Life After the Presidency
After leaving office in 1885, Chester Arthur returned to practicing law in New York. He chose not to run for a second term due to declining health.
Chester Arthur Death and Burial
Died: November 18, 1886, at the age of 57
Place of Death: New York City
Burial Site:Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York
