My Genealogy Hound

William L. Arnold, Sr., an old resident of this township, but now of Columbia, was born in Boone County, in 1839, the son of Thomas T. and Lucy Owen Arnold. The former a native of Kentucky, and born in 1807. The father was a farmer, and served five years as sheriff in his native county. After his marriage, in 1831, he came to Lewis County, but soon removed to Boone County. Several years later he returned to Lewis County, and bought about 845 acres of land. He returned to Boone County again, a few years later, and died in 1873. Our subject is one of their six children, and was educated at Columbia. The father gave him about 220 acres of the old homestead, at his majority, and in 1861 he married Clarinda J., a daughter of F. Bourn, and born in Lewis County in 1843. Their children are William L., Jr., Thomas F. and James D. He at once began farming and speculating in stock, in which his shrewdness as a business man led to his being one of the largest land owners in La Belle Township, owning at one time about 1,100 acres. His home was known as “Hickory Grove.” His wife died February 23, 1876, and the following year he married Jennie Dralle. They have one child— Annie M. In 1885 he divided his property among his sons, and moved to Columbia, where he now lives in retirement. Politically he is a Democrat, while in religion he holds to the faith of the Christian Church. William L., Jr., was born in 1863, in Lewis County, and was educated in Columbia. He was married April 27, 1887, to Cora, a daughter of B. C. and Mary (Blair) Roberts. She was born in Lewis County in 1865. The brothers now own 900 acres. Thomas F. was born in 1868 and James in 1872. William and his wife are members of the Christian Church, while the family are highly esteemed citizens.