Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur, the twenty-first president of the United States, was born on October 5, 1829.

Chester A. Arthur courted his future wife Ellen “Nell” Herndon, who was the niece of naval officer and oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury.

In 1839, Chester A. Arthur enrolled in an academy in Union Village, N.Y. His previous education was provided by his father.

In 1844, Chester A. Arthur moved with his family to Schenectady, N.Y., where he continued his education at a local lyceum.

In September 1845, Chester A. Arthur enrolled as a sophomore at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.

In July 1848, Chester A. Arthur graduated from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. He was actively involved in various societies and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

In August 1848, Chester A. Arthur briefly studied law at State and National Law School in Ballston Spa, N.Y., followed by independent study of law.

In 1851, Chester A. Arthur became the principal of a school in North Pownal, Vermont.

In 1855, Chester Arthur successfully represented Elizabeth Jennings Graham, a black woman who had been denied a seat on a Manhattan streetcar due to her race. This case helped lead to the desegregation of public transportation in New York City.

Chester A. Arthur returned to New York after his fiancée Ellen Herndon’s father perished in the sinking of his steamship Central America off the coast of North Carolina.

Chester A. Arthur accompanied his fiancée Ellen Herndon and her mother to visit relatives in Fredericksburg, Va.

On October 25, 1859, Chester A. Arthur married Ellen Lewis Herndon. She was the daughter of a naval officer and their marriage was a significant event in Arthur's personal life.

On December 10, 1860, Chester A. Arthur's son, William Lewis Herndon Arthur, was born. Unfortunately, he passed away on July 8, 1863.

In 1861, Chester A. Arthur was appointed as a brigadier general in the New York State Militia.

In February 1862, Chester A. Arthur was promoted to the position of inspector general in the New York State Militia.

In July 1862, Chester A. Arthur was promoted to the position of Quartermaster General for the State of New York.

In January 1863, Chester A. Arthur lost his military position when Democrat Horatio Seymour became governor of New York. He then returned to his law practice.

Chester Alan Arthur II was born on July 25, 1864. He later passed away on July 18, 1937.

In 1869, Chester A. Arthur was appointed as counsel to the New York City tax commission.

On November 21, 1871, Ellen “Nell” Arthur Pinkerton, daughter of Chester A. Arthur, was born. She passed away on September 6, 1915.

In June 1874, the Federal Anti-Moiety Act led to a reduction in Chester A. Arthur's yearly income to a fixed salary of $12,000 as the collector of the New York Customs House, which was significantly lower than his previous income of more than $50,000 per year.

In 1877, Chester A. Arthur was demanded to resign from the New York City customhouse by President Rutherford B. Hayes, marking a significant shift in his political career.

In July 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes removed Chester A. Arthur from his position as the collector of the New York Customs House, after which he returned to private legal practice.

In February 1879, Chester A. Arthur served as the President of the Republican Central Committee.

On January 12, 1880, Chester A. Arthur's wife, Ellen Herndon Arthur, passed away at the age of 42 due to pneumonia in New York, N.Y.

On June 8, 1880, Chester A. Arthur was nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for vice president, running alongside presidential candidate James A. Garfield.

Chester Arthur became the 21st U.S. president on March 4, 1881, following the assassination of President James Garfield. He advocated for civil service reform and signed the Pendleton Act in 1883, which required government jobs to be distributed based on merit.

On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C.

Chester A. Arthur assumed the presidency on September 19, 1881, following the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

On September 20, 1881, President James A. Garfield was assassinated, leading to Chester A. Arthur succeeding him as the 21st President of the United States.

Chester Arthur delivered an Inaugural Address following a public ceremony to administer the Oath of Office in the Vice-President's room at the Capitol, emphasizing the peaceful transition of power.

On September 23, 1881, Chester A. Arthur issued Proclamation 251, convening an extra session of the United States Senate.

President Arthur issued a proclamation declaring September 26th a day of mourning for former President James A. Garfield.

An executive order was issued at the Yorktown Centennial Celebration, directing the salute of the British flag by the forces of the Army and Navy of the United States.

On October 24, 1881, a significant address was delivered at the Yorktown Centennial Celebration.

On October 26, 1881, a special message was conveyed.

On November 04, 1881, Proclamation 252 was issued, declaring Thanksgiving Day in 1881.

The murder trial of Charles Guiteau, the accused assassin of former president James A. Garfield, commences amidst disorder and controversy.

On December 06, 1881, the first annual message was delivered.

A special message was delivered on December 12, 1881.

Secretary of State James G. Blaine resigns from his position due to political disagreements with President Arthur.

Multiple special messages were delivered on December 19, 1881.

On December 21, 1881, a special message was delivered.

On January 6, 1882, another special message was delivered.

On January 9, 1882, yet another special message was delivered.

On January 11, 1882, a special message was delivered once again.

On January 18, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur delivered a special message.

On January 19, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur delivered another special message.

Charles Guiteau is convicted in the murder trial, marking the end of the legal proceedings related to the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

Congress passes a bill linking congressional representation to the census, resulting in an increase in the number of representatives to 325.

On March 1, 1882, the United States acceded to the Geneva Convention of 1864, which aimed to provide protection and care for wounded war personnel. The Senate concurred with the accession on March 16, 1882, and it was proclaimed on July 26, 1882.

The U.S.-Mexico Convention of 1882 concluded with the provision of an international boundary survey to relocate the frontier line between the U.S. and Mexico territory to the west of Rio Grande. The treaty was ratified by President Arthur on 11/07/1892 and proclaimed on 3/5/1883.

On March 22, 1882, the Amended Antipolygamy Act, also known as the Edmunds Act, was signed into law. This act made it a felony for Americans to marry multiple spouses.

On April 4, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur vetoed the First Chinese Exclusion Act, which aimed to prohibit the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States for twenty years. Arthur believed that the suspension of immigration for twenty years was too extreme.

Troops were deployed to suppress raiding Chiricahua Apache and outlaw gangs stealing cattle in the Territory of Arizona.

President Arthur uses his veto power to reject the first Chinese Exclusion Act, which aimed to prohibit Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States for twenty years and to deny American citizenship to existing Chinese residents. This decision sparks strong opposition from labor groups who perceive the growing Chinese labor force as a threat.

President Arthur gives his approval for a bill to establish a tariff commission, which later recommends reductions in tariffs. This decision reflects the administration's efforts to address economic policies and trade regulations.

Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield, is executed for his crime.

President Arthur vetoed the Steamboat Safety Bill, citing concerns about its phrasing.

In August 1882, President Arthur's physician, Brode Herndon, documented in his private diary that the President was suffering from Bright's disease, a fatal kidney ailment. Despite the diagnosis, Arthur's declining health was kept secret from the public.

The President initially vetoed the Chinese Exclusion Act but later approved a revised version on May 6, 1882, which marked a significant shift in immigration policy towards Chinese laborers.

President Arthur vetoed the River and Harbor Act due to his belief that the allocated funds for the repairs of rivers and harbors were excessive.

Following the 1880 census results, the House increased by 32 seats. Democrats gained the majority in the House but lost the majority in the Senate, weakening President Arthur's position.

The Civil Service Reform Bill was a significant legislative initiative advocated by President Arthur to improve the efficiency and fairness of the government's civil service system.

President Arthur, despite his initial opposition, recognized the significance of the Civil Service Reform Act and eventually signed it into law.

On May 24, 1883, President Chester Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland participated in the ceremonial opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to be built across the East River linking New York City and Brooklyn. The bridge was an engineering marvel, utilizing numerous construction techniques that had never before been attempted on such a massive scale.

President Arthur's health was deteriorating due to Bright's disease, but he received a spectacular welcome at the Brooklyn Bridge opening celebration. He walked across the bridge with Governor Cleveland and the 7th regiment as part of the celebration.

President issues Executive Order to reduce Internal Revenue collection districts from 126 to 83. The order was prominently noted in the Annual Message, Reports of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and newspapers, indicating a high degree of personal presidential involvement in consolidation decisions.

Executive Orders related to Indian reserves were issued on this date.

The court renders a verdict in the second Star-Route case, finding all nine defendants not guilty.

The United States and Luxembourg conclude an extradition treaty in New York.

Arthur issues a proclamation recommending the observance of the 100th anniversary of General George Washington returning his commission as commander-in-chief to the Continental Congress.

The United States participates in an international conference establishing standard time.

Arthur requests funds for the Navy.

On April 11, 1884, a special message was sent to Congress by Chester A. Arthur, recommending an annual appropriation of $1.5 million for the armament of fortifications, emphasizing the need for strengthening the defensive capabilities.

Congress passes a bill repealing the 1862 test oath, which mandated office holders to declare they had not been involved in illegal or disloyal activities.

Congress approves an act concerning the civil administration of Alaska, which had been transferred to the United States from Russia in 1867.

The Republican National Convention takes place in Chicago where James G. Blaine defeats Arthur for the nomination and John A. Logan is selected as vice president.

President Arthur issues a proclamation warning people against settling on Oklahoma lands, reflecting the government's stance on land settlement and ownership.

President Arthur vetoed the relief of Fitz John Porter Bill, believing that it was an attempt by Congress to intrude on the authority of the Executive branch.

President Arthur signed the Act creating the Bureau of Navigation as part of the Treasury Department.

President Arthur signed the Act creating the Central and South American Commission.

The President participated in the dedication of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., marking a significant event in the history of the monument's construction and completion.

President Arthur signs an act to prevent and provide penalties for illegal occupancy of public lands.

President Arthur signs the Contract Labor Act, which prohibits contracting migrant workers to perform labor in the United States.

Chester A. Arthur's presidency comes to an end as he completes his term in office.

Chester A. Arthur died of kidney disease at his home on Lexington Avenue in New York, N.Y. He was interred in Albany Rural Cemetery, Albany, N.Y. Prior to his death, there was an ordered destruction of his personal and official papers.