Chester A. Arthur was born in Fairfield (some sources say North Fairfield), Vermont. He studied at Union College in Schenectady, then served as a teacher in Vermont and as the principle of an academy in Cohoes before studying law and entering politics in New York City. (A notorious spoilsman during his rise in politics, he surprised many as president by staffing on the basis of merit and promoting the Civil Service Act.)

See:
Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 2
American National Biography, vol. 1
Thomas C. Reeves, Gentleman Boss: The Life of Chester A. Arthur (1981)
Justus Doenecke, The Presidencies of James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur (1981)
John G. Sproat, "The Best Men": Liberal Reformers in the Guilded Age (1968)

Scott Monje

>>> <[log in to unmask]> 06/24/02 12:55PM >>>
Hello,

While at the VT History Expo, one booth had a small display on
Chester B. Arthur including a picture of his grave in Albany Rural
Cemetery.  He had resided there at one time and they are unsure
where he was born. They are seeking any sources of information
they can locate on him. The couple I spoke with are quite young and
have recently started putting the history of there area together. This
was their first effort at putting together a display and are really just
getting underway at collecting information on their town.

They would appreciate any information anyone has and will follow
up on it. I will get the information to them.

God Bless
Ruth Ann Messick
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]