W[illiam]. L. ARNETT, farmer, section 10, Middle Fork Township, was born August 17, 1835, in Des Moines County, Iowa, son of Henry ARNETT now of Mt. Ayr.

He was the second of a family of nine children. When three years of age his father removed to Calhoun County, Illinois, where W. L. remained until he was twenty years old. He was reared on a farm and obtained his education in the common schools of his day. In June, 1855, the ARNETT family came to Ringgold County and settled on section 15, Middle Fork Township. Mr. ARNETT resided here until April 10, 1856, when he returned to Calhoun County. He was married April 2, 1857, to Miss Mary M. DeLONG, born in Jersey County, Illinois, daughter of Luther B. and Mary Ann DeLONG.

September 10, 1863, he returned to Ringgold County. February 23, 1863, he enlisted in Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry, and was in several of the most noted battles of the war.He was honorably discharged August 19, 1865, at Atlanta, Georgia, and arrived home August 24, 1865.

He settled upon his present farm June 20, 1868. At that time it consisted of 160 acres of wild land. He has since added to the original purchase until his farm consists of 280 acres of as good land as the township affords. It is well cultivated and well improved. He has a good story-and-a-half house, an orchard of four acres, native groves, barn, 40 x 40 feet, and is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and feeding.

Mr. and Mrs. ARNETT have five children - Olive, William E., Mary Alice, Henry Luther, and Findley B. Luna died at the age of ten months.

Mr. ARNETT has since served creditably as township clerk and member of the School Board. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always takes an active interest in any enterprise that tends to the advancement of education or religion, and is always a liberal contributor to any worthy object. By fair and honorable dealing he has secured the confidence of all who know him. In politics he is a Republican. Postoffice, Ingart.

NOTE: William L. ARNETT died on January 2, 1885 with interment at Middle Fork Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Henry L., son of William L. and Mary Ann (DeLONG) ARNETT, was born October 24, 1882, and died December 3, 1887, with interment at Middle Fork Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 335, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z