Arnold, Joseph (Rev.) 1832-1904

ARNOLD, SMITH, HAWKINS, STYLES, DRYDEN, CATTELL, GREGORY, GAUSE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/1/2005 at 18:03:14

PASSING OF A PIONEER
The Death of Rev. Joseph Arnold -- Life Sketch

Joseph Arnold, son of Jesse and Mary Arnold, was born at Arba, Wayne County, Indiana, April 1st 1832. Removed with his parents to Henry County, Iowa where Salem now stands, in the year 1839, later to Jefferson County and in 1848 located in Mahaska County, where his father took a homestead on the first day lands were thrown open to settlers, two miles east of the present city of Oskaloosa.

In the spring of 1851, having learned the carpenter’s trade of his father, he immigrated to Lynn Grove where he assisted in building what later became the town of Lynnville. His father followed in 1852 and purchased the flouring and saw mills. Joseph was engaged with his father in this operation and remained in business with his father until his death in 1865 and continued the business thereafter with his brothers.

In 1853 he married Tracy Smith of Palmyra, Warren County; six children blessed this union, two of whom are deceased. Tracy Arnold, his wife, died at Oskaloosa January 1869. In 1870 he married Sarah E. Hawkins of Oskaloosa; to this union were born three children, who were all present during his last illness. Joseph Arnold was a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He was recorded a minister of this church in 1884. In this capacity he served the church the remainder of his life, traveling extensively at his own expense and often under physical affliction. At home he always took a leading and practical part in church work, being especially solicitous on behalf of the young people. He had a wide acquaintance with the churches throughout many states, and owing to an active interest in the matter of peace he was made secretary of the American Peace Society and frequently represented Iowa in the great peace conferences of the several states of which he was made an honored life member by action of Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends (“Quakers”).

Up to 1861 the active business life of Joseph Arnold was one of marked success at which time he received an injury to the spine by being thrown from a wagon, from which he never wholly recovered. In 1872 he took up the study of law and after eleven months of close application he was admitted to the Jasper County Bar of which he was an honored member at his death. His examination for admission to practice was a critical one he being examined and passed upon by three of the leading attorneys of the county and state. In his law practice Joseph Arnold’s policy was largely governed by the principle of arbitration, even to the frequent sacrifice of justly earned regular attorney fees. Some classes of litigation he conscientiously refused to enter. He was known throughout the county as the “Quaker Lawyer and Preacher.” He has been assistant County Attorney for the past several years. He was public spirited always among the first favoring public improvements, advanced schools and all measures tending to progress and the up building of public morals and good society.

Illustrated of his early tenacity for freedom and the rights of man, reference it here made to his active part for the freedom of slaves. He was one of the first “stockholders, directors and conductors of the underground railroad.” He was called “Old Shady,: by reason of his plans always succeeding for the protection and forwarding northward of escaping Negroes.

Joseph Arnold was naturally a strong man physically as well as mentally, but owing to the accident mentioned his health began to fail several years ago. Two years ago he, accompanied by his wife, made a trip west intending to reach the coast of California, but they found the undertaking too great and returned after visiting with their daughter Adrilla Cattrell at Corinne, Utah, a few months. He returned to Lynnville where a new cottage home was erected.

After a few months he was unable to longer follow his profession and was shortly confined to the house. He was given every attention and care that love and kind friends and medical skill could bestow; but strength continued to fail and after suffering and patiently struggling against disease, he peacefully entered into rest on Wednesday evening September 7, 1904.

The funeral was delayed until Saturday the 10th, to permit the arrival of his brother (B. F.) from California. At 10 o’clock a service was held at the residence with the assembled relatives and friends. The service was in charge of President Absolem Rosenberger of Penn College. At 10:30 the family followed the remains to the Friends Church where a general service was held, in charge of Pres. Rosenberger who spoke form Rev. VII: 9, 10. Rev. Isom P. Wooton, a cousin of deceased followed in personal testimony and reminiscences of fellowship with deceased. Rev. Levi Mills of Whittier, California, also spoke feelingly and appropriately in eulogy of the departed.

A number of songs were rendered by the young people mostly being favorites and those chosen by deceased. An unusually large audience was present and a great many form other towns attended among which was a delegation from Iowa Yearly Meeting, at this time in session. The remains were laid in a family lot in Woodland Cemetery, adjoining Old Settlers Park ­ of which association he was an organizer and its secretary for more than a quarter of a century. The pallbearers were Rev. Isom P. Wooton, Marshalltown; Rev. Levi Mills, Whittier, California; Rev. William P. Sopher, Oskaloosa; Rev. Charles Renaud, Lynnville; Henry Butler, new Providence; T. Clarkson Butler, Oskaloosa.

The floral tributes of friends were many, beautiful and very appropriate; among which was a beautiful floral pillow presented by the Jasper County Bar Association, a delegation form which were prevented from attending the funeral by the annulling of a train on the Central branch.

The surviving members of the Arnold family are Anna M. White Puckett, Of Cherryville, Kansas, minister of Friends Church, and B.F. Arnold, editor of the enterprise, at Chico, California, who was present at the funeral.

Of his immediate family he leaves a wife, Sarah E. and seven children: Mary E. Styles; Melette, South Dakota; Emma S. Dryden, New Sharon; R. Lindley Arnold, Baxter, Iowa; Ardilla J. Cattell, Pasadena, California; Flora E. Gregory, Chicago, Illinois; Maud A. Gause and Joseph W. Arnold, Lynnville.

Relative attending the funeral from out of town were Wm. E. Arnold, a nephew, of Kirkman, Iowa; Mrs. John C. Arnold, Oskaloosa; Mr. and Mrs. Seth Hawkins, Miss Lou Hawkins, Mr. And Mrs. Chas. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Hawking, George Terrell and daughter Ozella of Oskaloosa.

Scrapbook of Eliza (White) Jay (1844-1919)

Submitted on Sun May 26 13:39:17 2002 by
Christy Jay, Jaygenie@aol.com