Mary Arthur McElroy

Mary Arthur McElroy (July 5, 1841 – January 8, 1917) was the sister of 21st President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, and served as a hostess for his administration (1881-1885). She assumed the role because Arthur's wife, Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur, had died only a year and a half earlier.

Mary Arthur was born in Greenwich, New York to William and Malvina S. Arthur. She was the last of nine children. She attended the Emma Willard School Seminary in Troy, New York and later married insurance salesman John McElroy (in 1851). They lived in Albany, New York and had four children.

In 1880, McElroy's brother Chester Arthur was elected vice-president. In July, 1881, President James Garfield was fatally wounded and died on September 19, 1881. Arthur succeeded him, and asked McElroy to care for his young daughter Ellen and act as "Mistress of the White House."

She was a member of the Albany Association Opposed to Women's Suffrage.

She died at the age of 75 in Albany, New York and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery.

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Category:1841 births Category:1917 deaths Category:Emma Willard School alumni Category:People from Washington County, New York Category:Acting First Ladies of the United States Category:Siblings of Presidents of the United States