Chester Alan Arthur, Fairfield, Vermont 7/15/2013

President Chester Alan Arthur 21st President of The United States was born October 5, 1829 in Fairfield, Vermont which is way up north just a few miles from Canada. His father William Arthur was a well -educated Irish immigrant who arrived in Fairfield, Vermont as a Baptist minister. Chester Alan was born in a tiny, temporary parsonage near his father's church. The site should have been open but was closed when I was there.

Plaque In Fairfield, Vermont

Information About President Arthur

Replica Of House President Arthur Lived In When Less Than One Year Old. The Exact Location Of His Birth Is Unknown Other Than That It Was In The Fairfield Area. AS I Said Earlier It Should Have Been Open But Was Closed. As I Could See Through The Windows There Was Little If Any Furniture Inside. I Tried To Take a Photograph Of Sign And Poster Inside But With Little Success.

Questions Still Exist About His Date Of Birth

President Arthur Birth Spot

This Stone Was Erected By The State Of Vermont Proclaiming That President Arthur Was Born Here.

Arthur Became A Brigadier General In The New York Militia

President Arthur was brought up in Schenectady, New York where he attended Union College and earned a degree in law. He was very ambitious and he traveled to New York to seek his fame and fortune and he gained both beyond his wildest dreams. As a member of the New York bar he distinguished himself as a champion of civil rights for African Americans. He was active in the Republican Party and was mentored by Senator Roscoe Conkling. During the Civil War he accepted an appointment as a Brigadier General in the New York Militia and served as Quartermaster General of the port of New York. This was a position of great importance and influence. His performance in this position led to a post war a appointment as Collector of Customs of New York a very lucrative position. It was also a blatantly political patronage. Once in office he defied the existing system of striking an early blow to the spoils system that had been in place a long time and was rampant to all government affairs.  He may have  come to the presidency through a rather political expedient manner, But once in office as President he was capable and incorruptible. Interestingly his nomination as vice president was sort of a fluke. He was selected to run with James A. Garfield to balance the ticket and as a slap at the New York political bosses. Arthur was considered just another politician with no national or foreign policy experience but was destined to become the 21st President of the United States. Garfield was elected so Arthur became Vice President but became president when Garfield was assassinated. Many were without words at the thought of Arthur becoming president and many actually thought he should refuse to accept the office. He did accept the position and accepted the challenge.

The Ohio Governor said the people and the politicians will find that Vice President Arthur and President Arthur are different men. The real message here is don't ever nominate and elect a man as Vice President if you don't want to see him as your president.

President Chester Alan Arthur died November 18, 1886 in New York City, New York.

This is all I have to share about President Arthur. It is really hot here again. I need to go get some ice for my cooler to keep my eye drops cool. I just found out that the Coolidge Library and Museum is closed on Fridays so Jim and I will be heading straight to Ohio in the morning.

As Always remember that God loves you and so do I.

Grandpa Bill