East Fairfield in Franklin County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
Chester A. Arthur
21st President of the United States
Photographed By Kevin Craft, circa 2010
1. Chester A. Arthur Marker
Research indicates Chester Alan Arthur was born in Fairfield, Vermont, on October 5, 1829. When he was less than a year old his parents moved to a new parsonage built at this site. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Union College, he became a lawyer championing civil rights for blacks. Later, as Quartermaster General, he organized the provision of food & supplies to Union Civil War soldiers. On September 19, 1881, Arthur became president following the assassination of James Garfield. As president he advocated reducing tariffs and backed Civil Service reform, turning away from political patronage. Arthur died in 1886 and is buried in Albany, NY. This replica of the parsonage was built in 1954.
Erected 2002 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #21 Chester A. Arthur series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1829.
Location. 44° 50.167′ N, 72° 51.6′ W. Marker is near Fairfield, Vermont, in Franklin County. It is in East Fairfield. Marker is on Chester Arthur Road, half a mile east of Duffy Hill Road, on the right
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Peter Bent Brigham / Brigham Academy (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Chester A. Arthur (approx. 4.8 miles away); Consuelo Northrop Bailey (approx. 5 miles away); Sheldon, Vermont (approx. 5.1 miles away); Colonel Elisha Sheldon (approx. 5.4 miles away); Birthplace of Larry Gardner (approx. 5.6 miles away); Opera House of Enosburg Falls (approx. 5.8 miles away); Patent Medicine in Enosburg Falls (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.
Photographed By Kevin Craft, 2010
2. Chester A. Arthur monument
Photographed By Kevin Craft, 2010
3. Chester A. Arthur parsonage
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015
4. Chester A. Arthur
This 1881 portrait of Chester Arthur by Ole Peter Hansen Balling hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
“When Vice President Chester Arthur succeeded to the presidency on the death of James Garfield, a newspaper noted that he was ‘not a man who would have entered anybody's mind’ as a worthy candidate for the office. Indeed, as a major player in a spoils system that reduced the civil service to a vehicle for rewarding party faithful, he struck many as an emblem of all that was wrong in American politics.
As president, however, Arthur rose above his past to promote landmark legislation designed to curb the spoils system. He also proved to be a foe of other forms of corruption. When, for example, a ‘pork barrel’ bill for public improvements reached his desk, he vetoed it.
This head-and-shoulders portrait can only hint at the fashionable figure that Arthur cut. With his muttonchop whiskers ‘trimmed to the perfection point’ and his suits made of only the finest fabrics, he invariably looked like the very epitome of the well-bred Victorian gentleman.” — National Portrait Gallery
“When Vice President Chester Arthur succeeded to the presidency on the death of James Garfield, a newspaper noted that he was ‘not a man who would have entered anybody's mind’ as a worthy candidate for the office. Indeed, as a major player in a spoils system that reduced the civil service to a vehicle for rewarding party faithful, he struck many as an emblem of all that was wrong in American politics.
As president, however, Arthur rose above his past to promote landmark legislation designed to curb the spoils system. He also proved to be a foe of other forms of corruption. When, for example, a ‘pork barrel’ bill for public improvements reached his desk, he vetoed it.
This head-and-shoulders portrait can only hint at the fashionable figure that Arthur cut. With his muttonchop whiskers ‘trimmed to the perfection point’ and his suits made of only the finest fabrics, he invariably looked like the very epitome of the well-bred Victorian gentleman.” — National Portrait Gallery
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2010, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 1,262 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2010, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 4. submitted on August 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
