JOHN W. ARNOLD, p. 641-644

1888 Portrait & Biographical
Album of Branch County
by Chapman Brothers, Chicago


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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON JOHN W. ARNOLD

John W. Arnold, occupies a good position among the intelligent and educated farmers.  His farm, comprising 80 acres, forms part of the old homestead on Sec. 11, Gilead Township, which was the place of his birth in 1840.  His father, Samuel Arnold, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, Feb. 20, 1800, and was the son of Joshua Arnold, a native of New York.  When John was eleven his parents removed from Connecticut to Massachusetts, where they remained until he was around seventeen.  He married in Oswego, N.Y., Miss Catherine Hugumin.  Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  In the fall of 1836 Mr. Arnold came with his family to Michigan and settled in Branch County, and taught the first school at Waterhouse Corner, Kinderhook Township, thus being a pioneer teacher as well as farmer.  He continued to reside at the old homestead for nearly half a century, until his death, Sept. 30, 1878, at the age of 78m, 10d., after suffering from rheumatism for a number of years, being crippled for eight years.  His devoted helpmate and companion survives him at the venerable age of 83y.  Of their marriage, eight children were born, of whom our subject is fifth in birth order.

John W. was reared on the old family homestead ...... In the fall of 1860 he attended Oberlin College, Ohio, where he intended to prepare for the ministry.  The breaking of the Rebellion seriously interfered with his studies ...... In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a drummer, but was rejected due to health matters.  In Sept. 1864 he was drafted into Company "G", 14th Michigan Infantry...........  He finally mustered out of service at Detroit, July 31, 1865, when he returned to East Gilead.

After the war Mr. Arnold returned to farming and teaching ...... In 1875 he married Miss Sarah J. Snyder, who was born in Ohio in 1855.  She was the seventh child born to Josiah Snyder, who left Pennsylvaniain 1859 and came to Michigan.  Two children were born to their union:  Leotha May and Samuel Garfield ....

Mr. Arnold is a great traveler ..... California .... Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) .... New York .... New Orleans ....