Chester A. Arthur

Date of Birth: October 5, 1829

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 18, 1886

Biography

Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States, serving from 1881 to 1885. Born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont, Arthur was a lawyer and politician who initially gained recognition as a member of the New York Republican political machine. He held various legal and political positions, including the Collector of the Port of New York, where he was known for his patronage appointments. Arthur became Vice President under James A. Garfield and assumed the presidency after Garfield’s assassination in 1881. Despite his association with the spoils system, Arthur surprised many by advocating for civil service reform, signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act into law in 1883. His administration also focused on modernizing the U.S. Navy and addressing issues of immigration and tariffs. Arthur’s health began to decline during his presidency, and he did not seek re-election in 1884. He retired to New York City, where he continued to practice law until his death on November 18, 1886.

5 Interesting Facts about Chester A. Arthur

1. Chester A. Arthur was the first president to take the Oath of Office in his own home.

2. He was known for his impeccable fashion sense and was often called “Elegant Arthur.”

3. Arthur was a strong advocate for civil service reform despite his previous ties to the patronage system.

4. He was a night owl and often conducted White House business late into the night.

5. Arthur suffered from Bright’s disease, a kidney ailment that was kept secret from the public during his presidency.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chester A. Arthur

1. “I may be president of the United States, but my private life is nobody’s damned business.”

2. “Men may die, but the fabric of our free institutions remains unshaken.”

3. “I trust the time is not far distant when the American people will grant a hearing to all the petitions of their government.”

4. “Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide.”

5. “The extravagant expenditure of public money is an evil not to be measured by the value of that money to the people who are taxed for it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Chester A. Arthur’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $1 million, which is equivalent to approximately $25 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Chester A. Arthur had three children with his wife, Ellen Herndon Arthur: 1. William Lewis Herndon Arthur (1860–1863) – Died young. 2. Chester Alan Arthur II (1864–1937) – Became a gentleman of leisure. 3. Ellen “Nell” Herndon Arthur (1871–1915) – Married Charles Pinkerton and had two children.