My Genealogy Hound

HENRIE ARNOLDY, the well known East Main street hotel proprietor, is the son of Henrie Arnoldy, a farmer in France. He was born in that country, July 7, 1846. He was educated there in the excellent schools that have been established in the course of a century past. On reaching the age of twenty years, he was mustered into the French army, the Emperor Napoleon Third being then the dictator of France. He served in the Franco-Prussian war, was twice wounded, and conducted himself in all the engagements in which he participated with the greatest courage and daring.

In the fall of 1871 he decided that he would leave his native land and emigrate to the United States, as he had been informed of the probability that he could do well in the great Western Republic, and succeed in life. He left France and landed at Liverpool, with four other young men, bound like himself for America. They sailed from Liverpool in the ship “Algeria,” and landed in New York. He then traveled to Philadelphia, and later to Norristown. He secured employment in Whitman’s butcher shop, in Bridgeport. He remained in that position until Mr. Whitman’s death, when he assumed the management of the business, carrying it on very successfully. He next went to the Exchange Hotel, Norristown, one of the leading taverns of Norristown in those days, drove a team and later took charge of the yard. He saved his earnings, with the expectation that he would be able at some time to engage in business on his own account. He next went to Conshohocken where he secured employment in the Albion Print Works, remaining there until 1876, when he removed to Philadelphia and was employed by Mr. Philip Loubee, the leading caterer of Philadelphia at that time. He remained in that city during the Centennial Exposition, which was then in progress. Returning to Norristown he took charge of a hotel on the Bridgeport side of the river. Later he went into the livery business, carrying it on very successfully. In 1886 he sold his livery stable and bought the hotel Schuylkill Valley on Main street, below Walnut, Norristown. He is a self-made man, who owes his success in business entirely to his own exertions.

Mr. Arnoldy married, in 1873, Lena Diller, who came from Bavaria, Germany, the couple having the following children: Lillian, who married Joseph Schuler, a jeweler of Norristown, and they are the parents of one child-Ralph Schuler. Minnie. Henry, a member of the Invincibles of Norristown. William, who is employed as clerk in the Atlantic Refining Company at Norristown. Bertie, Helen, and Elsie, all living.

In politics Mr. Arnoldy is an active Republican, and an earnest supporter of the principles and candidates of the party. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Foresters of America, the Elks, the Shouck Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic, of Norristown, with which he has been affiliated for fifteen years, and the Royal Art Association. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.