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History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Edited by A. J. Davis
Pub. D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N.Y. - 1887

         [p. 632-633]
         
         ARNOLD, GEORGE WASHINGTON, cashier of the First National Bank
       of Clarion, was born on a farm in York county, Pa., November 5,
       1820. At the age of seven years he was entrusted with the market-
       ing at the neighboring stores of the lighter products of the
       farm. About the same time he began his school life, attending
       such schools as were at that time maintained in the county by
       individual subscription, before the establishment of the common
       school system of the State. As there were but three months'
       school in the year, young ARNOLD'S educational advantages were
       very much limited, nevertheless by energy and perseverence, he
       acquired in a few years a good English education. The nine months
       of the year out of school were spent in the usual occupations of
       a farmer's son. At the age of twelve years he followed the plow
       day after day in season. Thus alternating between three months'
       schooling and nine months' hard work, he remained on his father's
       farm until sixteen years of age. In the fall of 1836 he became
       assistant teacher in the common schools, and receiving an recom-
       pense therefor the sum of three dollars per week. He paid for
       his boarding by working morning and evening.
       
         In the spring of 1837 he removed with his parents to Clearfield
       county, Pa., and the following summer worked on the Musshannan
       and Packersville turnpike at one dollar per day and board. On the
       7th of February, 1838, he left his home and went to Karthaus fur-
       nace in the northwestern part of Clearfield county, and engaged
       with PETER RITNER, the then superintendent of the furnace, as
       teamster and expressman. In July of the same year he was promoted
       to the position of weighmaster, and in the following December to
       that of salesman for the same firm. In February, 1840, he came to
       the village of Strattanville, Clarion county, and entered the em-
       ploy of W. H. LOWRY, with whom he remained until 1843.
       
         In March, 1843, he married HANNAH SMITH, of Strattanville. They
       had born to them two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, JAMES
       TURNAR ARNOLD died July 18, 1877. MRS. ARNOLD died  From the date
       of his marriage in 1843, MR. ARNOLD engaged in the hotel business
       at Strattanville. He removed to Clinton March, 1846, where he fol-
       lowed the mercantile business until January, 1865, when the First
       National Bank of Clarion was organized and chartered. MR. ARNOLD
       was elected a director, and appointed cashier, a position which
       he has held continuously ever since. By his efforts and financial
       ability the institution has prospered, has paid five per cent
       semi-annually on the capital stock, and has the confidence of its
       depositors and the public in general.
       
         In the year 1867, the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania
       was chartered, and MR. ARNOLD appointed one of the trustees and
       made treasurer. He was largely instrumental in the procuring of
       fine grounds and the erection of a large and commodious building
       for the seminary, and still takes an active interest in the edu-
       cational and material interests of the town. The extension of the
       Pittsburgh and Western Railroad from Edenburg to Clarion was largely
       due to the energy and financial aid of MR. ARNOLD. In June, 1883,
       he married MRS. MAGGIE E. BARNETT, of Pittsburgh, Pa., with whom
       his is still living.
       
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