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. July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... Order: 21st President Vice President: None Term of office: September 20, 1881 – March 3, 1885 Preceded by: James A. Garfield Succeeded by: Grover Cleveland Date of birth: October 5, 1829 Place of birth: Fairfield, Vermont Date of death: November 18, 1886 Place of death: New York City, New York First...

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 Williams Seminary in Troy, New York and later married insurance salesman John McElroy. The couple had four children. Looking out on Broadway in downtown Troy. ...

In 1880, Mary's brother Chester was elected vice-president, but in July, 1881, president James Garfield was fatally wounded and died on September 19, 1881. Chester succeeded him and asked Mary to care for his young daughter Ellen and act as his hostess while he was in the White House. Because she had her own family in Albany, Mary lived in Washington, D.C. only during the busy winter social season. During the six months of mourning for Garfield, Arthur had the White House renovated. When he moved back after the renovations, Mary brought Ellen Herndon Arthur and two of her own children to the White House. It is said they were the best behaved children to ever live in the White House. Although President Arthur never officially granted her the protocol of a formal position, she proved to be a popular and competent hostess. Mary Arthur McElroy presided over a number of events and honored former First Ladies Julia Tyler and Harriet Lane, James Buchanan's niece and social hostess, by asking them to help her receive guests at the White House. When Arthur refused his party's nomination in 1884, Mary retired to Albany, New York. She was a member of the Albany Association Opposed to Women's Suffrage. She died at the age of 75. James Abram Garfield (November 19, 1831 - September 19, 1881) was the 20th (1881) President of the United States, the first left-handed President, and the second U.S. President to be assassinated. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The southern side of the White House The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. ... White House portrait Julia Gardiner Tyler (July 23, 1820 - July 10, 1889), second wife of John Tyler, was First Lady of the United States from June 26, 1844 to March 4, 1845. ... Harriet Rebecca Lane (May 9, 1830 - July 3, 1903), niece of perpetual bachelor James Buchanan, acted as First Lady of the United States from 1857 to 1861. ... For the economist of this name, see James M. Buchanan. ... Albany is the capital of the state of New York in the United States of America. ...