Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical Review of the Leading Citizens of Hampden County, Massachusetts Pub. Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston - 1895 [13-14] WILLIAM ARNOLD, whose face is familiar to most residents of Westfield, was born in that town, December 23, 1836. His ancestors were supposed to be of Scottish origin, but came from England at an early date in the history of this country, and settled in Connecti- cut, and are known as one of the old established families of that State, ARNOLD Station being named in their honor. Grandfaterh JOSEPH ARNOLD and his wife were both natives of old Haddam, Conn., he being a wholesale and retail merchant of note in that town. He was one of the most prominent men of the community in his time, and was very successful in business. He was a liberal supporter and active worker in the Baptist church, and in politics was a Democrat of the old school. His wife's maiden name was THANKFUL CLARK. She bore her husband six sons and two daughters, who grew to manhood and womanhood, but none of whom are now living. Grandfather ARNOLD and wife lived and died in their native village, beloved and rever- ed by all who knew them. ELIJAH and SAMUEL ARNOLD, two brothers of JOSEPH, settled in Westfield, Mass., at an early day, and were among its first merchants, owning the principal part of the busi- ness portion of the place, ARNOLD Street being named for them. JOSEPH ARNOLD, father of WILLIAM, the subject of this sketch, was born in Haddam, Conn., in 1802. He came to Westfield in 1836, and bought a farm of over seventy-five acres, and followed farming the rest of his life. He became very prominent in Westfield, identifying himself with all its interests. He successfully filled the offices of Selectman and Assessor of his town for several terms, and in 1838 went to the State legislature. Twice he ran for State Senator, and was only defeated by a small majority. In 1859 he was appointed by the United States Marshal to take the national census for a part of his county. In 1860 GOVERNOR BANKS appointed him Justice of the Peace. In politics MR. ARNOLD was a Jacksonian Democrat, in religion a Calvinist and an earnest Christian man. He died at his residence in Westfield, March 11, 1869, at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, whose maiden name was CLARINDA HUBBARD, died July 25, 1881, aged seventy-seven. The children of JOSEPH and CLARINDA ARNOLD numbered ten, of whom only three are now living, namely: HENRY, now retired from business, residing at Haddam; WILLIAM; and DANIEL, a whip-maker, now living at Westfield. The names of those who died are JOSEPH, LIZZIE, SAMUEL, SARAH, JANE, HUBBARD, and GEORGE. WILLIAM ARNOLD, to whom this narrative chiefly relates, grew to manhood in Westfield, the place of his birth. He was educated in the village academy, then assisted on the home farm until attaining his twenty-seventh year. Wishing for a change of occupation, he secured employment in the Springfield Armory, and remained three years engaged in the manufacture of arms. He then entered the United States navy, in which he served one year. After leaving the navy he went to Syracuse, and there engaged in the manufacture of cigars, remaining in this business until his father's health failed, which necessitated his return home, when he again took up agricultural pursuits. His labors have not proved fruitless, as he now owns a part of the old home farm, some fifty or more valuable acres in the suburbs of Westfield. MR. ARNOLD was united in mar- riage September 27, 1868, to MISS ANNIE LEFFINGWELL, who was born in Southampton, daughter of WILLIAM and ZILPAH (WAIT) LEFFINGWELL. He father was born in Norwich (now called Huntington), Mass., and her mother in Montgomery, Mass. The former was by trade a farmer, in politics a Democrat, and held very liberal religious views. The mother was a member of the Methodist church. Both are still living. MR. and MRS. LEFFINGWELL were blessed with two daughters, MRS. ARNOLD being the eldest. The youngest, EMOGENE, became the wife of MR. H. C. PRATT, of New York City. WILLIAM ARNOLD is a stanch Republican and a member of Lyon Post, No. 41, Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are both mem- bers of the Second Congregational Church. The hand of sorrow has rested heavily on MR. and MRS. ARNOLD, they having been deprived of their only child, who was born in 1873, and died at the age of seventeen months. Their present residence is one of the most ancient in the town, having been built about two hundred years ago. It has been remodelled, and is in a good state of preservation, a more substantial building than most modern houses. MR. and MRS. ARNOLD are people of high social standing in the community where they have lived so long, their innate worth and generous hospital- ity attracting hosts of friends. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================