Mary McElroy (née Arthur; July 5, 1841 – January 8, 1917) was an American woman known as being the sister of the 21st president of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, for whom she served as a hostess (acting as the first lady) for his administration (1881–1885).

Mary Arthur McElroy Mary Arthur, the youngest child of William and Malvina Arthur, was born in New York on July 5, 1841. Mary was the sister of future President Chester A. Arthur, nearly twelve years her senior.

The recently widowed Chester Arthur asked his sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, to serve as his official hostess when he became president in 1881. McElroy lived with her family in Albany, New York, but she spent each winter social season (from mid-November to the beginning of Lent), in Washington, D.C.

The sister of President Chester Alan Arthur. She served as his Acting First Lady from 1881-1885.

Mary Arthur McElroy (1841 – 1917) [Section 19 Lot 5] Sister of President Chester Arthur, surrogate First Lady during his administration, member of the Albany Association Against Women’s Suffrage

Oct 23, 2024 · President Arthur had selected his sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, wife of Reverend John E. McElroy, of Albany, New York, to preside over the White House and take charge of his daughter, Nellie, an attractive schoolgirl.

Mary Arthur McElroy, sister of President Arthur, was asked by her brother to assume the social role of hostess. She is the first ‘first lady’ to be the sibling of the president. Mary Arthur McElroy was part of the Albany Association Opposed to Women’s Suffrage.