Chester A. Arthur

photo of Chester A. Arthur c. 1882, by Charles Milton Bell, Library of Congress

Birth Name: Chester Alan Arthur

Date of Birth: October 5, 1829

Place of Birth: Fairfield, Vermont, U.S.

Date of Death: November 18, 1886

Place of Death: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*Northern Irish (father)
*English (mother)

Chester A. Arthur was an American attorney and politician. As a Republican, he served as the 21st President of the United States, from September 19, 1881 to March 4, 1885. He was previously the 20th Vice President of the United States, from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881. He was elected to the position in 1880. He took over as President upon James A. Garfield’s death. He was also Engineer-in-Chief of the New York Militia, from January 1, 1861 to January 1, 1863, and Collector of the Port of New York, from December 1, 1871 to July 11, 1878, among other duties.

He was a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1884.

President Arthur was the son of Malvina (Stone) and The Rev. William Arthur, a Protestant minister, who joined the Free Will Baptists, and was an abolitionist. His father was an emigrant, who was born in Dreen, County Antrim, Ireland, now Northern Ireland. His mother was born in Berkshire, Franklin, Vermont, and was of English descent, with roots in Colonial America. His family initially lived in Burlington, Jericho, and Waterville, all in Vermont, before moving to the Schenectady area, in upstate New York.

President Arthur was married to Ellen Lewis “Nell” (Herndon), until his death, with whom he had three children, including sportsman Chester Alan Arthur II. Nell died in 1880, a year before he became president. His sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, thus served as First Lady of the United States from 1881 to 1885. His grandson was astrologer and sexologist Gavin Arthur (born Chester Alan Arthur III).

President Arthur’s paternal grandfather was Alan Arthur (the son of Gavin Arthur and Jane Campbell). Alan was born in The Draen, near Ballymena, Antrim.

President Arthur’s paternal grandmother was named Eliza McHarg.

President Arthur’s maternal grandfather was George Washington Stone (the son of Uriah Stone and Hepzibah Hadley). George was born in Piermont, Grafton, New Hampshire. Uriah was the son of Benjamin Stone and Mary Nichols. Hepzibah was the daughter of Samuel Hadley III and Judith Flanders.

President Arthur’s maternal grandmother was Judith Stevens (the daughter of Simeon Stevens and Sarah Hadley). Judith was born in Newbury, Orange, Vermont. Simeon was the son of Otho Stevens and Abigail Kent. Sarah was the daughter of Samuel Hadley III and Judith Flanders. President Arthur’s maternal grandparents were first cousins.

President Arthur’s matrilineal line can be traced to Sarah Eldridge, who was born, c. 1650s.

Sources: Genealogies of President Arthur – https://www.geni.com
http://famouskin.com
https://www.wikitree.com