Arnold, Philip E. bio

PHILIP E. ARNOLD
Biography

transcribed by Sheryl McClure

from Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890

PHILIP E. ARNOLD. It is usually considered that a man’s surroundings are ample indications of his true character. At least he who is able to sit in the midst of plenty, accumulated by the industry of his own hands, is accorded that respect and deference to which he is justly entitled. We find Mr. Arnold comfortably situated on a good farm, embracing 240 acres of choice land on section 15, Charleston Township, where he is numbered among its leading farmers and stock raisers. He settled in Washington County in 1873, and purchased the land comprising his present farm, which had been homesteaded by another party, but upon which there had been attempted but little improvement. He labored in true pioneer style for a number of years, during which he met with fair success, soon finding himself upon a solid footing, and while his perseverance and industry have rewarded him in a full measure, his example has always been a stimulus to those around him.

The subject of this notice comes of a substantial race of people, his parents being David and Mary (Leiter) Arnold, who were either natives of Holland, or came when very young to the United States. They located after their marriage in Clearfield Count, Pa., where their son, Philip E., was born Nov. 25, 1847. They lived there until 1854, then removed to Seneca County, Ohio, where they still reside on a well-developed farm of 200 acres, and surrounded by all the comforts of life. Their family consisted of ten children, nine of whom grew to mature years. Hannah became the wife of James Bennett, and resides in Ohio; Enoch also lives in the Buckeye State; Lizzie became the wife of Benjamin Harpster and is now deceased; Adeline married Henry Gimborlin; Mary, Jacob, John and Sarah are all residents of Ohio.

Mr. Arnold attended the common school in his boyhood, mostly during the summer session, and worked upon the farm until a youth of eighteen years. He then learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until coming to Kansas. He was married in the fall of 1873 to Miss Alice, daughter of William and Mary Smallwood, and like himself, a native of Ohio. They have three children—William, Mary D. and Isaac. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Democratic party, and has held various local office. Socially, he belongs to the A.O.U. W.

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