PRESIDENTS DAY
Born: October 5, 1830 at Fairfield, Vermont.
Education: Graduated from Union College at Schenectady, New York.
Occupation: Lawyer, served with New York Militia in Civil War, held political posts in Army.
Religion: Episcopalian.
Family life: Married Ellen Herndon in 1859; they had two sons and a daughter. She died of pneumonia on January 12, 1880.
Political career: Active in New York Republican party. Nominated for vice-president in 1880 to please pro-Grant wing of Republican party. Became president upon Garfield's death. Supported civil service reform and lost support of party leaders; not renominated in 1884.
Highlights of his presidency: Recommended Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. Vetoed a Chinese Exclusion Bill, but he was overridden. Organized the Alaska territory.
Appearance: Dignified, tall, and handsome, with clean-shaven chin and side-whiskers, Chester A. Arthur "looked like a President."
Died: November 18, 1886 in New York, New York.
Buried: Rural Cemetery in what is no longer a rural part of Albany, New York.
