Move to town

Amos Arnold, whose public sale was held at his home two miles north of here, will soon be enrolled on the list of Roberts citizens. Mr. Arnold is numbered amongst our pioneer settlers and is a prominent and prosperous farmer. He recently decided to enter upon a retired life, and to the futherance of this end has had a handsome new residence erected on the east side of town, which he will occupy in the near future.

--Paxton Record  27 January 1898

Note:  New construction on the east side of town.  What home is this in Roberts? Is this Seward's home in Roberts?  
This also states Amos Arnold's home was two miles north of here.  So maybe Amos and Lora resided at the Stam home as we recall.

Irvin (Irving) Bunker

Irvin Bunker, of Roberts, who was recently separated from his wife, decided to obtain (??) of one of his children last week, and from a lawyer's advice that he could lawfully possess her if she would come to him voluntarily, went to the house of his father-in-law, Amos Arnold, of Roberts, where his wife and children were staying. The little girl came willingly enough to her father, of course, and the latter picked her up and made tracks for the buggy. He was followed by the family, who strongly objected to his purpose. Tom Torvin, a hired hand, appealed to by the child's mother, ran to the rescue, but Bunker wheeled and gave Torvin a good view of the ho? end of his revolver, which checked pursuit, and he took the little girl to the home of his father, where he is staying. Subsequently Torvin had Bunker arrested for drawing his revolver, and the latter willingly paid the fine and costs, and has his little girl too. He claims the mother promised to let him have one of the children part of the time and then refused.

--Paxton Record  20 January 1898
(Note: "Irvin" would be Irving.  Irving Bunker was married to Mary Ella Arnold.)

Lora Arnold Obituary

(This original document was very hard to read. I have inserted questions marks where I cannot make out the text.)

Pioneer Citizen Called
Mrs. Lora Arnold one of the honored Christian women and pioneer residents of the Roberts community passed away on Wednesday evening of last week at her home in Roberts at ?:? o'clock following a brief illness.  Funeral services which were held on Saturday afternoon at the home were very largely attended and were in charge of Rev. J.T. Killip, pastor of the M. E. church. A quartet consisting of Messrs. Clark, Zahn,Yackee, and Drilling sang several selections. The flowers were many and beautiful and they were carried by the granddaughters. Mrs. J? Haypenny, Mrs. Henry Arnold, Miss Alice Bunker, Mrs. Larry Roland, Mrs. M? West, Mrs. Ted Kendrick, Miss Frances Linn, Mrs. Fred Rueck Jr., Misses Louise Arnold and Elma Cook. The pall bearers were the grandsons, Messr Robert McNeil, Arnold Linn, Ernest and Henry Arnold, Ellis and Ora Cook, James and Merle Tarvin. The deceased has been a member of the Roberts community for many years and her beautiful life has been one of service to her family, friends and all with whom she has come in contact. During the funeral services the following tribute was read by her pastor.

Lora Ann Arnold
Lora Ann Johnson was born at Schuyler Falls, New York, September 20, 1838, and died at her home in Roberts, Illinois, on April 21, 1926, being at her death 87 years, 7 months, and 1 day.  She was united in marriage to Amos Arnold on July 23, 1857, who proceeded her in death on April 13, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold came to Illinois on October 2?, 1867, and took up farming in this new country, settling on the home farm near Roberts, where they made their home for 21 years. Retiring from farming they moved in to Roberts on March 1, 18??. Regardless of the many difficulties and hardships of the early settlers on these prairies they made their business a great success.
These people were blessed not only in material things but also in the care of one of the good ? families of seven children, two of whom have preceded them in death, namely, Mrs. Elma Cook and Silas Arnold. The five living children are Hattie McNeil, Johnson Arnold, Seward Arnold, Mrs. Frank Linn, of Roberts, and Mary E. Dickey of Heber? Springs, Arkansas. There are also twenty-one living grandchildren.  Three of Mrs. Arnold's sisters are still living. They are Elizabeth Johnson and Ida Ladd of Plattsburg, N.Y. and Martha Ayers of Char?, Michigan. Mrs. Arnold's death marks the passing of one of the oldest citizens of the Roberts community. Truly the words of the ? have been verified in her life. "With long life will I satisfy thee and show thee my salvation."
The Arnold's celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary on July 23, 1907, which was an event never to be forgotten by the family. Then five years later, the year before Mr. Arnold died, there was another ? to the unbroken home. Mrs. Arnold became a Christian and united in fellowship with the Methodist many years ago under the ministry of Rev. Frank Cummings. She was faithful in attendance to the services of the church until recently, when her health became such that she was unable to leave her home. Thus in the passing of Mrs. Arnold, a mother devoutly beloved, a friend and neighbor highly respected by all, has gone from among us to join the ? company of the blessed dead. We remain to mourn, yet not as those without hope for we will meet in the bye and bye.

-- Paxton Record  29 April 1926 

Amos S. Arnold Obituary

Amos S. Arnold aged 82 years, 2 months, and 24 days passed away Sunday morning at 8 o'clock at his home in Roberts after an illness of about six months. Mr. Arnold had been poorly since last September, he having taken seriously ill with kidney trouble at that time. For the past six weeks he had hardly been able to leave his home and last Sunday the disease firmly took its hold and he failed rapidly until death claimed him.
Mr. Arnold was born January 20, 1831, at Schuyler Falls, Clinton County, New York. On July 23, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Lora Anna Johnson and to this union seven children were born. They are Mrs. Hattie McNeil, Johnson D. Arnold, Mrs. Flora Elma Cook, Mrs. Mary Ella Tarvin (?), Mrs. Seba Lovicy Linn, Seward M. L. Arnold all of Roberts. One son, Silas, proceeded the father in death August ?, 1898. Mr. Arnold moved with his family from their New York home to Illinois and located on a farm three miles northwest of Roberts. Here they remained until ? when they came to Roberts, where they have since resided.
Besides the children there are twenty three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one sister to mourn his loss. The sister is Miss Samantha Arnold who resides at the old home in New York. The grandchildren are Pearl, Laura and Ellen McNeil, Robert McNeil, Clyde, Michael, David, Roger, Henry, Ernest, Samantha Arnold, Ellis, Lovina (?), Orie and Elizabeth Cook, Alice and Lula (?) Bunker, James and Merle Tarvin, Arnold, Marguerite, Seba Frances Linn, and Louise Arnold. All reside at Roberts excepting Clyde and Roger Arnold, the former being in Alberta, Can. and the latter at P?? Texas. The great grandchildren are Delford and Elma Cook of near Roberts.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2 o'clock at the home in Roberts and will be conducted by the Rev. ?? Clark. Interment will be ? in the Roberts Cemetery.
Mr. Arnold was a man of ability and the fact that he was a hard?? worker explains the reason for his accumulation of wealth. He owned in the neighborhood of seven hundred acres of the very best land in this entire section of the state and his ability as a manager is recognized by the entire community. Mr. Arnold was  a good man. He was kind to his neighbors and friends. He was a gentle and loving husband and father and his death has brought deepest sorrow into the homes of Roberts. Another good citizen has left us and to his life we are truly able to say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

--Paxton Record  17 April 1913

Note:  Seven hundred acres of the very best land.  I can only find 400 in records.