WILLIAM T. ARNOLD, a well-to-do farmer of Hanover township, is the lineal descendant of an old Irish family, the first of whom to come to America was his grandfather, Samuel Arnold. The latter was born in Ireland, about ten miles from Newry, and the same distance from Banbridge, County Down. When Samuel Arnold was a young man he was there married to Margaret Glass, who bore him the following children in Ireland: Nancy (married to William Anderson); Mary (died of "king's evil"). Some time during the latter part of the eighteenth century this family came to America, and made their first permanent location in Allegheny county, Penn., where other children were born, namely: John (of whom a sketch follows); Margaret (wife of John Stewart, Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn.); Jane (Mrs. John Moore), and Elizabeth (married to Hugh Glenn died in Richland county, Ohio). Samuel Arnold and his wife died in Allegheny county, Penn.
John Arnold (the father of our subject) was born August 19, 1800, in Allegheny county, Penn. He received a meager education in the schools of that period, and worked on his father's farm until he was a boy of sixteen or seventeen. He then began to learn the trade of a saddler (which at that time was a very lucrative one), working under his brother-in-law, John Stewart, at Noblestown, Penn. In 1821 he was married to Mary Cavitt, who was born in 1805, in Allegheny county, daughter of George Cavitt, a native of Franklin county, whose father, Patrick Cavitt, was born in Ireland. After his marriage John Arnold located ten miles west of Pittsburgh, along the Pittsburgh & Steubenville pike. He finally secured a small tract of land, to which, by patient industry and toil, he added. They remained in Allegheny county twenty-five years, and in 1846 removed to Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., along King's creek, where he continued to follow farming. In politics, John Arnold was a Whig and a Republican. At an early age he made the good confession in the Union Church, and in 1854 was elected elder of the King's Creek Associate Reformed Church, which position he held until his death, November 20, 1863. His widow survived him until January 29, 1880, when she was laid by his side in the Frankfort cemetery. She also was connected with the same church as her husband, and when the United Presbyterian Church was organized, united with that Society. They were the parents of the following children: George C. (a U. P. minister), born February 19, 1825, deceased December 1, 1863; Margaret (wife of Robert Ramsey, Beaver county, Penn.), born November 1, 1826; Samuel born October 11, 1829, deceased December 2, 1849; John (living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), born February 23, 1832; William T. (whose name opens this sketch); Agnes (Mrs. B. F. Mevey, of Allegheny, Penn.), born June 24, 1836; J. G., born, November 9, 1839, deceased June 5, 1857; Cyrus G., born September 5, 1842; and J. Lee (living in Chicago), born January 3, 1850.
William T. Arnold was born December 22, 1833 in Allegheny county, and attended the county schools of his vicinity. He was reared on the farm and performed the usual duties of agricultural life. On October 24, 1860, he married Ann Eliza Ramsey, who was born November 4, 1835, in Hanover township, Washington county, daughter of Mitchell and Ann (George) Ramsey. The following children have blessed this union: Thomas G., a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; John, deceased in youth; James M.; Anna Mary; William C., and Charles S.; the last four are living at home. After his marriage William T. Arnold located on the farm in Hanover township, this county, adjoining the Beaver county line, where he has ever since resided, following farming and stock raising. He has also dealt in agricultural implements. Although not a wealthy man, Mr. Arnold enjoys the world and takes life cheerfully, doing his duty day by day. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican, taking a warm interest in the success of his party. Mrs. Arnold is a member of the King's Creek U. P. Church.
Text taken from page 1240 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]