Benjamin Arnold (1835-1901)

ARNOLD, UTTERBACK, JOHNSON, TABLER, DESELIN, VAUGHT, GROUCHY, HIGBEE

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 11/2/2017 at 06:21:22

Benjamin Arnold was born in Morgan county, Indiana, February 23, 1835. His parents, Bernard, and Nancy C. (Utterback) Arnold were natives of Kentucky, the father born near Frankfort. They reared a family of ten children. In 1849 the family left Morgan county. Indiana, and started for the New West beyond the Mississippi. They spent the first winter near Bellefontaine, Iowa, and in August, 1850, came to Clarke county, locating in Green Bay township, where the father entered 480 acres of land from the government, and built a log cabin for himself and family. At that time not a house was to be seen in Osceola and the settlers were few and scattered, and here amid pioneer scenes, Mr. Arnold grew to manhood. He helped to build a log school house, eighteen feet square, in which his sister was among the first teachers. Benjamin Arnold was united in marriage, March 20,1860, to Miss Sarah R. Johnson. Mrs. Arnold died in 1868. Of this marriage two children survive, Mrs. W. F. Tabler and Will Arnold of this city.

In 1870 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss C.C. DeSelin. She died in 1890 and two children survive this marriage, namely, Mrs. E.P. Vaught of Steel, North Dakota, and Mrs. Matt Grouchy, of this city. Mr. Arnold was afterwards married to Mrs. Higbee, who survives him.

Mr. Arnold prospered as a farmer during his active life, and improved a large farm in Green Bay township. In 1875 he engaged in the mercantile business in Breen Bay, but after three years returned to his farm and continued in the grain and stock raising business. His fair dealings and high integrity won the esteem of all his acquaintances. In later years he has been in poor health and was forced to retire from active work.

Osceola Sentinel 1901, January 24

Mr. Benjamin A r n o l d Dies Suddenly in North Dakota.

A telegram was received Tuesday forenoon by Will Arnold and Mesdames Tabler and Grouchy that their father, Benjamin Arnold, had died in Steel, N.D., at 5 o'clock that morning. As no intimation of his being ill had reached his friends here, the news came as a severe shock to them. Mr. Arnold was one of the earliest pioneers of this county. His father settled near the Mormon colony in Green Bay township, in 1850, and Mr. Arnold had made his home here ever since. He had gone to Dakota to spend the winter with his
wife, who recently bought a farm there.

The life of the deceased in Clarke county had rounded out an oven half century. Nearly all of this time he followed farming. Few men can point to a record of citizenship as exemplary as Mr. Arnold.
He came to Clarke county when no mower or reaping machine beyond a scythe had ever touched the luxuriant grass of its prairies, and distinctly remembered the curiosity and surprise that welcomed the appearance of the first mower. Readers of the SENTINEL will remember the valuable data he gave us for publication in the anniversary edition in August, 1899. Mr. Arnold held various positions of trust in the county. His character and life as citizen, parent and valued member of our community was untarnished. All the county knew him and mourn with his friends.

1899 Centennial Edition Osceola Sentinel
 

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