Amos S. Arnold, who is engaged in general farming on section 9, Lyman Township is a native of Clinton County, N.Y., born January 20, 1830. His parents were Stukley and Lovicy (Lobdell) Arnold, the former a native of Clinton County, N.Y. and the latter of the Green Mountain State. By occupation, their father was a farmer and followed that business throughout his entire life. He served as a member of the old State Militia, and in his political affiliations was a Whig. He died in his native county at the age of seventy-six, and his wife died at the age of eighty-three. They had a family of four children, all of whom are yet living; May L., who resides in Clinton County, N.Y.; Samantha, who also makes her home in that county; Abigail, wife of J.B. White, Sheriff of Clinton county, elected on the Republican ticket.
Amos S. Arnold is the eldest child and only son of the family. The educational privileges which he received were those afforded by the common schools, and when he began earning his own livelihood, he worked as a farm hand at $8 per month. He was married, July 23, 1858, to Miss Lora N. Johnson, a daughter of David and Ceba (Ayers) Johnson, a native of Clinton County, N. Y. Her father was farmer and could trace his lineage back to England. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was given a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Johnson was a Whig in his political affiliations until the rise of the Republican party, with which he became identified. His death occurred at the age of sixty-five years, but his wife is still living on the old homestead, at the age of seventy-three. They had six children: Flora, Lora, Elizabeth, Amanda, Martha, and Iva; all, except one, are living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have been born seven children: Hattie who was born in the Empire State, and was a student in the Valparaiso Normal, is now the wife of Eli McNeil, a farmer of Clinton County, N.Y., by whom he has one daughter, Pearl; Johnson D., a farmer of Lyman Township, married Rebecca Swigg, and they have two sons, Clyde and Ralph; Elma is the wife of Carvasso Cook, of Ford County, Ill., and they have a son and daughter, Ellis and Vina L.; Mary E., is the wife of Ervin Bunker, a farmer; Ceba, Silas S. and Seward M. are at home.
In 1868, Mr Arnold bade good-bye to his old home, and, with his family, emigrated to Ford County, which was then a sparsely settled region, the land being mostly in its primitive condition. It was a great contrast for the family, who had left a pleasant home in the East to live in this unsettled region and bear all the hardships and privations of frontier life. Lyman Township was then a part of Brenton, and Melvin and Roberts were not yet laid out. With the growth and development of the county since that time, Mr. Arnold has been prominently identified, and has ever borne his part in its upbuilding and advancement. He is now one of the extensive land-owners of this community, owning five hundred and sixty acres of rich land in Ford County, besides property elsewhere. Their beautiful home, with its many improvements, gives evidence of the industrious life and indicates the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner.
Mr. Arnold cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, and is now a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. He is a friend to all educational, social and moral interests, and any enterprise calculated to benefit the community. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Arnold is classed among the wealthy and influential citizens of the community, and is held in high regard by all who know him. He may well be termed a self made man, for to his own efforts alone is due his success in life.
-- Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago; Lake City Publishing Co. 1892. Print
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