Mary Arthur McElroy

 

Mary Arthur McElroy, Acting First Lady of the United States

Chester Arthur became president in 1881 after the death of President Garfield. As a widower, he chose his sister Mary Arthur McElroy to serve as White House hostess in 1883. Despite her initial hesitance, McElroy quickly adapted to her new role and fulfilled the responsibilities of the position.

McElroy took on the role of acting first lady in January 1883, hosting diplomatic dinners and weekly receptions. Despite the nation mourning President Garfield, she continued social events. After the winter season, a farewell dinner was held in her honor before she returned to Albany. McElroy returned to the White House in 1884 for New Year's celebrations and held open-house receptions during Lent, serving tea after events.

Out of respect for his late wife, Arthur did not officially recognize McElroy as a first lady, but she was a popular and capable hostess. She and her brother developed social function procedures that future First Ladies used for decades. McElroy typically hosted more formal events, while Arthur hosted informal dinners himself if families were not attending. She was known for her hospitable and personal style with guests, often assisted by her daughter May and Arthur's daughter Nell. McElroy decorated the White House with gas lights and lots of plants.

McElroy hosted events honoring former First Ladies Julia Tyler and Harriet Lane at the White House, as well as holding a private luncheon for Julia Grant. She had more flexibility in social customs than a president's wife and attended events outside of the White House. McElroy did not take up any causes or charity work, but still enjoyed benefits such as the use of the president's box at the theater and access to the president's retreat. She declined requests from the temperance movement to enforce a ban on alcohol in the White House.

Her final reception was on February 28, 1885, with 3,000 attendees, including Adolphus Greely. 48 daughters of officials and the social elite assisted her. McElroy befriended her successor Rose Cleveland during the presidential transition, as they both hailed from Albany and had unmarried presidential siblings. She held a luncheon for Cleveland on her last day as White House hostess.

in 1886 to visit family and preserve the family homestead. McElroy cared for Arthur during his illness in February 1886 and arranged his funeral after his death that year. She became the legal guardian of his daughter and managed his legacy by organizing his papers and unveiling his statue in Madison Square. In 1889, McElroy was a guest of honor at a White House luncheon hosted by First Lady Frances Cleveland. She supported civil rights for African Americans and hosted Booker T. Washington at her home in Albany in June 1900. McElroy opposed women's suffrage and was a member of the Albany Association Opposed to Women's Suffrage. She died on January 8, 1917, at the age of 75 in Albany and was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery.

 Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.