Mary Arthur McElroy

Mary Arthur McElroy, born on July fifth, eighteen forty-one, was an influential American figure known primarily for her role as the sister of Chester A. Arthur, the twenty-first president of the United States. Following the death of her sister-in-law, Ellen, Mary stepped into the role of hostess during her brother's presidency from eighteen eighty-one to eighteen eighty-five, effectively acting as the First Lady.

Raised in New York and educated at the progressive Emma Willard School, Mary married John Edward McElroy, an insurance salesman, and briefly worked as a teacher. When Chester ascended to the presidency, she took residence in the White House during the winter months, where she hosted social events and cared for her niece. Notably, she broke the tradition of halting social gatherings during Lent, opting instead to hold large weekly receptions that were well-received by Washington society.

After her time in the White House, Mary returned to her family in Albany, New York. She dedicated herself to preserving the Arthur family homestead in Ireland and managed her brother's affairs during his illness and after his passing. Her responsibilities included overseeing his funeral and ensuring the preservation of his presidential legacy. Mary Arthur McElroy passed away in Albany in nineteen seventeen, leaving behind a legacy that remains relatively obscure in the annals of American history.