John B. Arnold 1827-1892

ARNOLD, CUPP

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 10/12/2002 at 04:21:50

DEATH OF JOHN B. ARNOLD

The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1827, and died at his home near Winchester, Iowa, Feb. 23, 1892.

Mr. Arnold's boyhood days were spent in Ohio, where he assisted his father in clearing up a timber farm and making it a profitable investment. In 1848 he was married to Miss Louisa Cupp, and the next year came to Van Buren county, Iowa. Not being altogether satisfied in Iowa, he and his wife returned to Ohio, where he engaged in farming for about seven years, returning to Iowa in 1855 and purchasing 160 acres of land, which now constitutes the home quarter section of his large and well cultivated farm. By industry, economy and fair dealing he prospered to the extent of owning at one time nearly 700 acres of land. But in later years he divided with his children, thereby assisting them in obtaining good homes, and also relieving himself of much of the worry and labor of looking after such large land interests.

He engaged extensively in stock raising, and took great pride in his stock, in his well tilled farm and his pleasant home.

He was a man of good judgment and rarely made a mistake in his business ventures.

His acquaintances were not confined to his immediate neighborhood, but extended throughout the county, and, to some extent, the State. Having full faith in his integrity and ability his party, without his solicitation or knowledge, gave him the nomination for county commissioner but he declined to accept, feeling that his home interests demanded all his care. In fact he has repeatedly refused to accept any office or position other than that of attending to his business and enjoying the pleasant associations of his home and family.

He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and enjoyed the social relations of neighbors and friends to the fullest extent.

In religion he believed in the brotherhood of man, and his implicit trust in the wisdom and goodness of God let him to believe that all of God's creatures would eventually be happy in the Great Beyond. He wished to do right because it was right, and avoided the wrong because it was wrong.

By his death the country has lost a good citizen, the neighborhood a useful man, and his family a kind and indulgent husband and father.

A very appropriate funeral discourse was preached by Rev. [?] H. Barnett, who was assisted in the services by Rev. G. S. Wilkins, and his remains followed to the grave by a large number of sorrowing friends, which spoke in unmistakable terms of the high esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best.

He leaves an aged companion and six children to mourn his loss, who have the heartfelt sympathy of all. Two children preceded him to the better land, and it is a blessed thought that the broad and liberal views to which he clung all his life, leave no doubt that when the trials of this life are o'er not only this family but all the separated families of earth will meet again where sorrows and partings will be no more.

FRIEND

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 58 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, Iowa Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in November 1999. Name and date of newspaper not given.)

I am NOT related to this person and am posting it for those who may find him/her in their family tree.

[Original Post 21 January 2000]