Biography - Mrs. Martha Arnold
MRS. MARTHA ARNOLD, widow of Andrew J. Arnold, controls and manages the farm on section 9, Vienna Township, of which she is joint owner with her mother, and is an intelligent factor in promoting the agricultural interests of .Johnson County. She was born in England, March 19, 1845, and accompanied her father to this country when a young girl, her mother following them in April, 1861.
Mr. Smith, our subject's father, had worked in a woolen factory in the Old Country, and was poor when he came here. He was, however, industrious and thrifty, and was prospered as a farmer, which calling he adopted after coming to the United States, and at his death left a comfortable property, the old homestead upon which his last years were passed falling to his wife and daughter Martha. Mrs. Smith married again after the death of her husband, becoming the wife of Thomas Goddard, and is now a resident of Du Quoin. She is the mother of three children by her first marriage: Martha; Emma, wife of .John Miller, of Hamilton County; and Clara, wife of R. M. King, of Vienna.
Our subject was married July 10, 1864, to Andrew Jackson Arnold, and her wifely devotion to his interests contributed much to his success in life. Mr. Arnold was born in Kentucky, March 13, 1838. His father was Elijah Arnold, who was a native of North Carolina, whence he went to Henderson County. Ky., where he engaged in farming until his demise. Our subject's husband had to work hard when a boy, as did all farmers' sons brought up under pioneer restrictions, and only had an occasional chance to attend school. In January, 1854, when he was nearly sixteen years old, he started out in the world to seek Fortune's favors, setting out on his momentous journey on foot, with a light purse, but with the steadfast intention of making the best of his life. He at length arrived in northern Illinois, found employment on a farm, went to work with a will, and was thus engaged when the war broke out. He was then in the full Hush and vigor of the opening years of a promising manhood, and .as he was imbued with the ardent patriotism that characterizes every loyal citizen", while doing his duty at home he watched the course of the rebellion with intense interest, and was ready when more men were needed at the front to volunteer his services, enlisting in Company D, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in August, 1862. He took part in a number of engagements, including the hotly contested battle of Stone River. His naturally strong constitution broke down under the ravages of army life, and he was remanded to the hospital, but did not rally so as to be fit for further service, and accordingly was honorably discharged at Indianapolis.
After his retirement from the service Mr. Arnold went to work again at farming, still desirous to make a home for himself. In 1870 he came to Johnson County, and for a number of years rented a place for agricultural purposes, and also engaged in the grocery trade at Vienna for a time, living in the village about five years. He bought some land in Bloomfield Township, which was subsequently sold. After his army service he had never regained his former strength and health, an insidious disease, contracted while he was in the South, finally causing his death. His last years were spent on the farm in Vienna Township on which his family is living. He devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, conducting his operations with good financial success, showing himself to be a sagacious, capable farmer, with a clear understanding of his vocation in all its branches. When scarcely past the prime of life his labors were brought to an end by death, January 11, 1887, and the township was thus deprived of one of its worthiest citizens, one who had been true to himself and others in every relation — in his family a kind and considerate father; to his neighbors friendly and obliging; and always faithful in the discharge of the duties of citizenship. His burial, which took place in Odd Fellows' Cemetery, was conducted with due solemnity.
Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, namely: Mary Ellen, at home with her mother; Joshua, who is married and lives at Anna; Martha Elizabeth, who also resides at home; Rufus Monroe, who died in Vienna, September 18, 1875; Emma Edith, who died July 26, 1870; and George, at home with his mother.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Arnold has taken entire charge of the farm,
which comprises eighty acres of exceedingly fertile land, and under her
energetic and clear-sighted management it is made to yield to the utmost,
and good order prevails on every side. She displays excellent qualifications
as a farmer, and is a business woman of more than ordinary capacity. She and
her family have a pleasant house, over which she rules as a wise mother. She
has her children's interests at heart and is giving them the best
educational advantages that she can afford.
Extracted 08 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, page 120.
