Title:  A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Section 2 (of 2) of Volume 8:  Chester A. Arthur

Author:  James D. Richardson

Release Date:  June 28, 2004 [EBook #12754]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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A COMPILATION OF THE MESSAGES AND PAPERS OF THE PRESIDENTS

BY JAMES D. RICHARDSON

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Chester A. Arthur

September 19, 1881, to March 4, 1885

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Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur was born in Fairfield, Franklin County, Vt., October 5, 1830.  He was the eldest son of Rev. William Arthur and Malvina Stone.  His father, a Baptist minister, was born in Ireland and emigrated to the United States.  Chester prepared for college at Union Village in Greenwich and at Schenectady, N.Y., and in 1845 entered the sophomore class of Union College.  While in his sophomore year taught school for a term at Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, and a second term at the same place during his last year in college.  Joined the Psi Upsilon Society, and was one of six in a class of one hundred who were elected members of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the condition of admission being high scholarship.  After his graduation in 1848, at the age of 18, attended a law school at Ballston Spa, N.Y.; returned to Lansingburg, N.Y., where his father then resided, and continued his legal studies.  Was principal of an academy at North Pownal, Bennington County, Vt., in 1851.  In 1853 entered the law office of Erastus D. Culver in New York City as a student; was admitted to the bar during the same year, and at once became a member of the firm of Culver, Parker & Arthur.  Having formed from early associations sentiments of hostility to slavery, as a law student and after his admission to the bar became an earnest advocate for the slaves.  Became a Henry Clay Whig, and cast his first vote in 1852 for Winfield Scott for President.  Participated in the first Republican State convention, at Saratoga, and took an active part in the Fremont campaign of 1856.  October 29, 1859, married Ellen Lewis Herndon, of Fredericksburg, Va.  January 1, 1861, was appointed on Governor Edwin D. Morgan’s staff as engineer in chief, with the rank of brigadier-general.  Had previously taken part in the organization of the State militia, and had been judge-advocate of the Second Brigade.  When the civil war began, in April, 1861, he became acting quartermaster-general, and as such began in New York City the work of preparing and forwarding