Asahel P. Arnold

A fine farm of one hundred and thirteen acres on section 24, Ludlow township, is the home of Asahel P. Arnold and wife, which has rewarded their industry and thrift by constantly increasing productiveness and value. Mr. Arnold was born in Lake county, near Cleveland, Ohio, June 22, 1846, and is a son of Jonathan J. Arnold, a native of Connecticut, who as a young man went to Ohio, where he later married Miss Cordelia Crosby, who was born in New York state. The father was a farmer and shop keeper in Ohio but after he moved to Illinois purchased land and turned his attention to farming. He afterward came to Iowa and after spending a few years in Mitchell county moved in 1872 to Allamakee county, where he made his home until he retired from active life. He then returned to Mitchell county, where his death occurred.

Asahel P. Arnold was ten years of age when he came to Iowa with his parents and in the public schools of Mitchell county he acquired his education. After he grew to manhood he turned his attention to farming, operating two different properties with constantly increasing success. In 1872 he moved to Allamakee county and after renting for a time purchased the farm on section 24, Ludlow township, upon which he has since resided. He made this property what it is today, for it was entirely unimproved when it came into his possession and he cleared it of timber and broke the soil before beginning the work of development. This he has steadily carried forward since that time and the property is today one of the finest in this section of the state. He has added to his holdings from time to time and he and Mrs. Arnold now own one hundred and thirteen acres of valuable and productive land. Upon it he first erected a small house and barn, which was later replaced by a commodious and substantial residence and a large basement barn. He has made other substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and the entire property reflects everywhere his many years of careful supervision. Mr. Arnold engages in general farming and stock-raising and is especially interested in breeding high-grade cattle and Norman horses. Since he was a young man he has been engaged in the contracting and building business in Allamakee, Winnesheik, Howard and Clayton counties, confining his attention to the construction of bridges. He has developed a large and important patronage along this line and has accomplished a great deal of important work. He was one of the promoters of the Ludlow Creamery.

Mr. Arnold married, in Mitchell county, April 15, 1864, Miss Eliza Teeple, who was born in Canada and reared in Iowa. They became the parents of ten children, seven of whom survive: W. S., who is engaged in farming and dairying in Jefferson township; John, a farmer and stock buyer of Waukon; Ellis Grant, who is following agricultural pursuits in North Alberta, Canada; Ida, who became the wife of H. G. Miller, of Jefferson township; Ella, the wife of Mills Fuller, residing near Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Grace, who married John West, of Waukon; and Ruth, at home.

Politically Mr. Arnold gives his allegiance to the republican party. He is a Master Mason, holding membership in the Waukon blue lodge, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is well known in Allamakee county, where his upright and honorable life has commanded for him the respect, esteem and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart

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