John J. Arnold
The advanced and scientific methods which have of late years
practically revolutionized agricultural pursuits find a
progressive and worthy representative in John J. Arnold, one of
the extensive landowners and most prominent stock breeders and
shippers in Allamakee county. In association with his brother he
owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Jefferson
township, another tract of one hundred and thirty acres, and
another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and has proven
far-sighted and practical in the conduct of his important
interests. For the past fifteen years he has bred stock on an
extensive scale and also devotes a great deal of time of buying,
selling and shipping, and his business affairs, being carefully
conducted, have resulted in a success which places him among the
leading men engaged in this line of work in this part of Iowa. He
was born in Mitchell county, this state, July 6, 1870, and is a
son of A. P. Arnold, a well known farmer and bridge contractor,
of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
John J. Arnold was three years of age when he came with his
parents to Allamakee county. He was reared in Waukon and in
Ludlow township. He acquired his primary education in district
school, supplementing this by a term in the Waukon high school,
after which he devoted practically all of his time to assisting
his father with the cultivation of the homestead and in his
bridgebuilding operations. After three years, however, he turned
his attention to buying and shipping stock, and he has been
connected with this line of work for the past fifteen years. His
land holdings are today extensive and important, comprising three
fine farms, one of one hundred and eighty-five acres, another of
one hundred and thirty, and another of one hundred and sixty,
lying principally in Jefferson township. In connection with his
brother he operates these as model stock farms, and upon the one
hundred and eighty-five acre tract has erected a fine residence
and a modern silo with a capacity of one hundred and sixty tons.
His barns house fifty cows and a fine herd of high-grade cattle.
His property here is today one of the finest and best equipped in
the township. Mr. Arnold however, makes his home in the vicinity
of Waukon, where he has rented eighty acres of land, upon which
is a comfortable and attractive residence. Mr. Arnold makes his
home upon this property because of its proximity to the Waukon
stock yards, and he is well known in business circles of that
city, owning a half interest in a local meat market and a half
interest in an ice business there.
In Waukon, on the 21st of June, 1910, Mr. Arnold was united in
marriage to Mrs. Elsie Ashbacher, who was born and reared in
Allamakee county, and a daughter of James Thompson. Mr. and Mrs.
Arnold have become the parents of a daughter, Florence, and Mrs.
Arnold has two children by her former marriage, Leora and
Harriet.
Mr. Arnold is a member of the Presbyterian church of Waukon , to
which he is a liberal contributor. He is connected fraternally
with the Knights of Pythias, taking an active interest in the
affairs of that organization. He has constantly and earnestly
labored to stimulate the interest of his neighbors in all that
tends to promotes progress along agricultural lines,
demonstrating in his own success the result of practical methods
and well directed industry. His prosperity is well deserved and
Allamakee county numbers him among her most progressive,
prominent and desirable citizens.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index