VT BIO - Chittenden Co - ARTHUR, John A.

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. New York & Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 712-713

John ARTHUR, son of Francis ARTHUR, and the founder of the family in America, 
was born in Bisley, township of Stroud, England, 07 March 1746. Upon the 
second marriage of his father, John ARTHUR left his early home, landing in 
America in 1768, bringing with him a goodly inheritance. He first 
established himself as a merchant in New York City; he [John ARTHUR] then 
married, in Old Trinity Church, Elizabeth CHEESEMAN, a sister of Captain 
CHEESEMAN, aide to General MONTGOMERY, and who fell with his distinguished 
chief at the battle of Quebec, in 1775. About 1780 John ARTHUR bought large 
tracts of land adjoining Fort Ticonderoga [in Essex County since that 
county's creation in 1799] New York [which was not a state until 1788], 
building there mills of various kinds, also doing a large business in lumber. 
The family of John ARTHUR and his wife, Elizabeth CHEESEMAN, consisted of 
ten children, all born in New York City.

John Augustus ARTHUR, the eighth child, was born 16 September 1787. When 
about twenty-one years of age he removed with his father's family to 
Ticonderoga [now in Essex County, New York], joining there in business 
interests with his father. He was greatly interested in the militia of the 
state of New York, and [p 713] was in the branch of field artillery, rising 
while still quite young to the rank of brigadier general, his brigade 
extending from Newburgh on the Hudson [Orange County, New York] to the Canada 
line.

In June 1813 John Augustus [ARTHUR] married, in St. Paul's church, New York, 
Charlotte, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (KIPP) HAIGHT. A monument to 
Benjamin and Mary (KIPP) HAIGHT is placed to their memory in St. Paul's 
churchyard, New York, where they both lie. It can be seen from the steps on 
entering the church.

The family of John Augustus and Charlotte (HAIGHT) ARTHUR consisted of seven 
children. The eldest son, Benjamin Haight, was born in New York City on 09 
March 1814. In December 1839, from civil life, Benjamin [Benjamin Haight 
ARTHUR] entered the United States army as 2nd Lieutenant, and afterwards 
served as Captain in the 1st United States Infantry in the Seminole and 
Mexican wars, and died at Fort Chadburn [Fort Chadbourne], Texas, in March 
1856. [Fort Chadbourne was built in 1852; it is now in Coke County, Texas.]

The subject of this biography, John Augustus ARTHUR, Jr., the fourth child 
and second son of John A. and Charlotte (HAIGHT) ARTHUR, was born at 
Ticonderoga [Essex County], New York, 02 July 1820. During his early years 
he attended the ordinary village schools; later, with his brother, he was 
sent to the school at Westport [Essex County], New York, under the care of 
the Rev. Mrs. KELLOGG, and afterwards to the school at Castleton [Rutland 
County], Vermont, taught by the Rev. Mr. CLARK. In April 1837 the family 
removed to Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], General [John Augustus] 
ARTHUR buying the land outside the town since known as the ARTHUR farm, and 
here he [John Augustus ARTHUR] died 14 September 1851.

Soon after coming to Burlington, John Augustus ARTHUR, Jr., entered as clerk 
the drug and hardware store of Dr. MOODY, there remaining until the death of 
Mr. MOODY, in November 1841. Continuing this business, a partnership was 
formed with Luther M. HAGAR, formerly of Shelburne [Chittenden County], 
Vermont, the firm known as Hagar & Arthur lasting for nearly twenty years. 
In 1861 Mr. [John Augustus] ARTHUR [Jr.] entered the United States customs 
service, where at the present writing [1903] he still continues. Since the 
organization of the civil service department, Mr. [John Augustus] ARTHUR 
[Jr.] has been secretary of this service board in Vermont. In politics Mr. 
ARTHUR was, in his early years, a Whig, and was a delegate to the Baltimore 
convention in 1843, which nominated Henry CLAY for president, and for him Mr. 
ARTHUR cast his first presidential vote. Mr. ARTHUR was a member of the 
first city government of Burlington, and is the only one of the original board 
now living.

In 1848 Mr. [John Augustus] ARTHUR [Jr.] married, in St. Paul's church, 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], Harriet Fowler [submitter assumes 
Fowler is not a surname, thus not transcribed in all caps], daughter of 
Timothy HALL, whose early home was in Greenfield [Franklin County], 
Massachusetts, and afterwards in Troy [Albany or Renssalaer County], New 
York, where for many years Mrs. ARTHUR attended the school of Madame Exema 
WILLARD. Upon the death of her mother, Mrs. ARTHUR came to Burlington, 
making her home with her sister, Mrs. Elias LYMAN, until her marriage with 
Mr. [John Augustus] ARTHUR [Jr.].

Mr. and Mrs. ARTHUR [John Augustus and Harriet Fowler ARTHUR, Jr.] have been 
the parents of six children, three only of whom are now living: the Rev. 
Louis A. ARTHUR; Charlotte Haight, wife of Commander Karl ROHRER, United 
States Navy; and one daughter, Mary, residing at home. The oldest child, 
Elliott, lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, died in 1886, and two daughters died 
in early childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. [John Augustus] ARTHUR [Jr.] have passed most of their married 
life in the old home, where from time to time for more than a half a century, 
children and grandchildren have gathered, and been made happy in recalling 
traditions and memories of earlier days.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly