James Johnson Arnold (1822-1900)

ARNOLD, STARKS, ORR

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/20/2018 at 02:22:42

Arnold, Johnson J.
Johnson J. Arnold, correct name to James J. Arnold, was born in Morgan county Indiana on the 23rd day of November 1822. His parents were from Kentucky, and he was the third child of a family of ten. His boyhood days were passed upon a farm, and his education received in the primitive log cabin school house which was maintained by popular subscription. He was engaged for several years in the building of flat boats to be used as transports upon the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

In 1846 he was united in marriage to Ellen Starks. In 1849 together with his father’s family they started for Iowa with an ox team. Sickness overtook them and they were compelled to spend the winter in Lacon, Ill. The following spring they continued their journeyings and settled in Clarke county, Iowa, upon land taken by homestead from the government. At that time there were only three white families in the county. The rest were roving bands of Indians.

In 1853 three years after settling in their new home, his first great sorrow came to him as he was compelled to give up his companion in death. Three years later he was married to Louise Orr, formerly of Know county, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. John Orr, a prominent minister and circuit rider in the Methodist church. Ten children were born of this marriage, five of whom passed away in their early life, and are buried in Clarke county. The remaining ones are Francis Arnold, of Omaha. Benjamin Arnold, of Kirkman, Seigel Arnold, of Washington, and Mary who resides at Sheridan Lake, Colorado, and Nina, who is at home with her mother.

In 1893 Mr. Arnold and his family came to Woodbury county, and settled on a farm east of Sloan. Only a short time ago they built their comfortable home and moved to won to spend the rest of the days in quietness and rest. Mr. Arnold has always taken an active part in public affairs, holding many offices of trust and was especially interested in the interests of school and church.

About 40 years ago Brother Arnold was thoroly converted to God. His conversion was after the manner of the old time power when it meant something to be born again. It as so firmly impressed upon the mind of his three year old boy that he has not forgotten it to this day and can clearly remember of his father then going to the barn to hold sweet communion with his God. He at once joined the M.E. church and remained ever after a conscientious and consistent member of the same. His health began to fail about nine months ago. About a week ago he was taken with catarrhal pneumonia which resulted in his death at 2:30 on Saturday morning, April 14th. His death was truly the passing away of one of God’s saints.
The funeral services were held from the M. E. church conducted by the Pastor Rev. Van Marter. The text used from Numbers 12:10, “let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his.”
The remains were buried in the Sloan cemetery and followed by a large company of the friends of the family.

Osceola Sentinel April 26, 1900