William Arthur (clergyman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Arthur
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| Born | December 5, 1796 |
| Died | October 27, 1875 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Author, Baptist minister, abolitionist |
| Children | 8, including Chester A. and Mary |
William Arthur (born December 5, 1796 – died October 27, 1875) was an Irish-born Baptist minister and a strong supporter of ending slavery. He is famous for being the father of Chester A. Arthur, who became the twenty-first President of the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William Arthur was born on December 5, 1796, in Ballymena Borough, which is in County Antrim, Ireland. His parents were Alan Arthur and Eliza MacHerg. His father, Alan Arthur, later inspired the middle name of William's famous son, Chester Alan Arthur.
Childhood Home in Cullybackey
Many reports suggest that William Arthur grew up at a place called Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey. This cottage is now a museum. It is cared for by the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The council states that Arthur Cottage is the family home of Chester Alan Arthur, the 21st U.S. President.
Education and Career
William Arthur was a very educated man. He studied at Belfast College in Ireland. After moving to the United States, he briefly studied law. However, he soon decided to become a Baptist minister. A Baptist minister is a religious leader in the Baptist Christian faith.
A Life of Preaching and Writing
William Arthur preached in different places, including Vermont and western New York. From 1855 to 1863, he served as the pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Albany, New York.
Later, he moved to Schenectady. There, he started a magazine called The Antiquarian and General Review. He wrote many interesting articles for this magazine on various topics. He also wrote a book titled Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names, which was published in New York in 1857. This book was well-received by readers.
Later Years and Legacy
In the last ten years of his life, William Arthur retired from his main work. He still preached sometimes and spent a lot of time reading and writing. He was known for his deep knowledge of ancient history and languages.
William Arthur passed away on October 27, 1875, in Newtonville. His son, Chester A. Arthur, went on to become a very important figure in American history as a U.S. President.
