No one ever wanted Chester A. Arthur to be President, but he became one anyway! Chester was the fifth child of eight children in his family. He was born on October 5, 1829 in North Fairfield, Vermont. His dad also home schooled Chester. After that he went to Union College. While he was in college he took part in a prank and dumped the school's bell in the Erie Canal.

Chester taught school and then practiced law in New York City. He became a Quartermaster General of the State of New York. Chester clothed and fed the soldiers from New York during the Civil War.

Chester A. Arthur met Ellen Herndon and got married on October 25, 1859. They had two children. His wife caught pneumonia and died before Chester took office.

Chester A. Arthur was part of the Republican Party. He was never elected! Chester ran for Vice President as James Garfield's running mate. Garfield was assassinated, so Chester A. Arthur became President.

While he was President he signed a law keeping Chinese immigrants from coming into the U.S. It stopped criminals and insane people from coming into the United States. Chester had also signed the Civil Service Reform Act. It made getting a government job fair. Arthur began to rebuild the U.S. Navy. In 1882 he vetoed the Rivers Harbor Act. He exclaimed, "There are no payoffs!"

Chester was known as "The Gentleman Boss" and "Elegant Arthur!" He also became the man of fashion! He was very much known for his style!

He did not run for a second term as President. Then he became ill with Bright disease, a fatal kidney ailment. He died on November 18, 1886. He was buried at the Rural Cemetery in Albany, New York next to his wife.