Fun Trivia : Arthur, Chester

Structure Sub-topic of: U.S. Presidents Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 15 general entries. Special Topics About President Arthur

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Arthur, Chester

In what country was Arthur's father born?

Chester A. Arthur


Ireland. William Arthur was born in Dreen, in County Antrim, Ireland in 1796. He left Ireland as a young man, first settling in Quebec and eventually in Vermont.



In what Vermont city was Chester Arthur born?

Chester A. Arthur


North Fairfield. Arthur was born in North Fairfield, Vermont, which is near the Vermont/Canadian border, on October 5, 1829. Arthur's political enemies claimed that Arthur had, in fact, been born in Canada and was not eligible for the presidency but no proof has ever been discovered of that.



From what college did Arthur graduate?

Chester A. Arthur


Union. Arthur graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1848 where he studied the Greek classics. He graduated in the top third of his class.



How did William Herndon, who was the father of Arthur's wife Ellen, die?

Chester A. Arthur


ship wreck. William Herndon was the captain of the "Central America" which sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in 1857. He went down with his ship.



Arthur, who became a lawyer in 1854, travelled to what state/territory to practice law in 1856?

Chester A. Arthur


Kansas. Arthur, who opposed slavery, travelled to Kansas during the time of "Bleeding Kansas" when abolitionists and slave holders were fighting for control of the Kansas territory. He would stay out there for three months before returning to New York.



How many years did Arthur serve as Collector of the Port of New York?

Chester A. Arthur


7. Arthur was appointed to the post by President Grant in 1871 and removed in 1878 by President Hayes is a complete cleaning out of the customs house as a result of corruption charges.



Arthur was an aide to what political boss from 1878 to 1880?

Chester A. Arthur


Roscoe Conkling. Conkling came to the US Senate and became a loyal supporter of Ulysses S. Grant's presidency. In exchange, Grant gave Conkling control of civil service employment in New York State. Conkling was the leader of a faction called the "Stalwarts" who got that name from the way they stood behind Grant and their opposition to President Hayes' reconciliation efforts toward the old Confederate States. Conkling served in the US Senate from 1867 to 1881 and died in 1888.



Who was Garfield's first choice to be his vice-presidential running mate in 1880 but he declined, which allowed for the offer to be extended to Arthur?

Chester A. Arthur


Levi P. Morton. Morton was offered the position but was convinced by Conkling to refuse the offer. Eight years later, Morton would come vice-president during the administration of Benjamin Harrison.



Did Arthur's wife Ellen live to see her husband become president?

Chester A. Arthur


No. Ellen Arthur died of pneumonia on January 10, 1880 at the age of 42, 20 months before Arthur became president.



The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which became law during the Arthur administration, prohibited Chinese immigration to the United States for how many years?

Chester A. Arthur


10. Arthur vetoed the original bill which called for a 20-year ban but signed another bill, which called for only a 10-year ban. The law was renewed in 1892 and 1902 and finally repealed in 1943.



The modern civil service system was created during the Arthur administration, which ended the spoils system in selecting placement for federal jobs. What U.S. senator was the sponsor of the bill that created the civil service system?

Chester A. Arthur


George Pendleton. Pendleton represented Ohio in the US Senate from 1879 to 1885 and was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee with George McClellan that opposed Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He was denied a second term to the senate and died in Brussels, Belgium in 1889 while serving there as an U.S. envoy.



Arthur suffered from Bright's Disease, which affected what part of his body?

Chester A. Arthur


kidneys. Bright's Disease affected Arthur's kidneys, causing him to suffer from nausea, depression and inertness. The strain would eventually affect his heart and Arthur would suffer a stroke during the night of November 16, 1886. Arthur would die two days later, less than two years after leaving the presidency.



In what New York city is Chester Arthur buried?

Chester A. Arthur


Albany. Arthur was buried on November 22, 1886 at the Rural Cemetary in Albany, next to his wife. His grave was topped by a life-size bronze angel, which has turned green in the years following Arthur's death.