Chester Alan Arthur(1830-1886)
After college he studied law. Arthur then practiced as a successful lawyer in New York City. Beginning in 1857, Arthur was employed as a lawyer by the "Second Brigade" of the New York State Militia. In 1859 he married Ellen Lewis Herndon, daughter of a Virginia naval hero. The marriage resulted in three children. Ellen Lewis Herndon died of pneumonia in 1880 and was unable to live to see her husband's subsequent presidency. During the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, Chester Arthur made a name for himself by supplying the troops. In 1868 he supported Ulysses S. Grant's presidential campaign. He also became chairman of the Executive Committee of the New York State Committee. He was heavily involved with the Republicans. In 1871 he was appointed director of customs for the Port of New York.
However, his involvement in the usual patronage of offices of the time resulted in his dismissal in 1878. In 1880, Arthur rose to vice president under the presidency of James Garfield. After his murder, Arthur succeeded to the presidency in September 1881. The new president initiated a reform of the civil service and the expansion and modernization of the fleet. He fought corruption in politics and led a reform-oriented government that enacted the first comprehensive civil service laws in the United States. Arthur also placed great emphasis on the representative aesthetics of his office, which he surrounded with new splendor. However, the Republican Party did not nominate Arthur to run for president in the 1884 presidential election. He therefore left office in 1885 and subsequently retreated into private life.
Chester Alan Arthur died on November 18, 1886 in New York.
However, his involvement in the usual patronage of offices of the time resulted in his dismissal in 1878. In 1880, Arthur rose to vice president under the presidency of James Garfield. After his murder, Arthur succeeded to the presidency in September 1881. The new president initiated a reform of the civil service and the expansion and modernization of the fleet. He fought corruption in politics and led a reform-oriented government that enacted the first comprehensive civil service laws in the United States. Arthur also placed great emphasis on the representative aesthetics of his office, which he surrounded with new splendor. However, the Republican Party did not nominate Arthur to run for president in the 1884 presidential election. He therefore left office in 1885 and subsequently retreated into private life.
Chester Alan Arthur died on November 18, 1886 in New York.