Lot No. 6 contains six graves, five marked and one unmarked. Family patriarch David Arnold is buried at the north end of the lot. His wife, Alpha (Seaward) Arnold lies in an unmarked grave south of his. To the south of Alpha are their son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Sophia (Barnhart) Arnold; Kitty, an infant daughter of Edward and Sophia; and the unnamed infant daughter (and only child) of Mandaville and Doneta (Holmes) Arnold who are buried in the Russell Cemetery.
DAVID ARNOLD'S tombstone is among the most interesting at Salem, combining as it does a marble base topped by a polished granite column. When this photo was taken, the whole confection was topped with a small marble urn. Sadly, that has fallen off (it was secured by an iron rod that rusted away).
I discovered the damage as the result of one of those odd experiences that sometimes happen in cemeteries. Stopping by late one afternoon a couple of years ago now, I got out of the truck and it seemed immediately as if something were wrong --- even a little creepy. I couldn't place it, but started scanning the cemetery. After looking around for a while, it dawned on me that the Arnold tombstone didn't look the way it should, walked over and found the urn alongside instead of on top. I turned it over to one of David's descendants, Ilene Church of Chariton, so perhaps it's still available should someone want to attempt to reunite urn and column. In any case, the inscription on the north face of the stone reads:
BORN
Feb. 18, 1791
In Herkimer Co., N.Y.
DIED
Apr. 27, 1880
AGED
89y, 1 Mo, 5 Ds
David does not have a published obituary. Only the following death notice, published in The Chariton Patriot of 5 May 1880, can be found:
Died, Arnold: At the residence of his son, Ed Arnold, in Benton Township, on April 27th, Mr. David Arnold, age 89 years.
The closest I've come to a published biography is the following exerpt from the biographical account of his son, Edward, published on pp. 251-253 of "A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa" (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1896). This account is filled with errors, so can only be trusted so far.
David Arnold was a native of Herkimer county, New York, of blue Yankee blood, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was married in New York to Miss Alpha Seward (actually Seaward), a relative of the Hon. William H. Seward, and also a native of the Empire State. After their marriage they moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, where they maintained their home for forty years, removing thence to Marion county, Iowa. He died in Marion county, on his farm, at the advanced age of eighty-five years (actually he didn't; he died at the home of Edward Arnold in Benton Township, Lucas County, and was 89). He had been a miller in Ohio, but the latter part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. In his political views he was first a Whig and later a Republican. His wife died in Chariton, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six (actually 95) years, a true Christian and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. They had eight children,viz.: Lucy Parker, Omaha, Nebraska; Samuel, Perry county, Ohio; Lovina, Rosenburg, Oregon; David, Winterset, Iowa; Stephen, Chariton, Iowa; Edward, whose name initiates this article; Mary Bonebreak, Rosenburg, Oregon; and Phoebe Combstock, deceased, formerly of Burlington, Iowa.
Although her grave is unmarked, David Arnold's wife, ALPHA SEAWARD ARNOLD, is buried just south of the stone that marks his grave. If her children had commissioned an inscription for her on the stone, it might read:
Wife of David Arnold
Born: Feb. 18, 1796, in Ostego County, N.Y.
Died: Oct. 5, 1891, at Chariton, Iowa
If an obituary for Alpha Arnold was published, it was in an edition of a Chariton newspaper that no longer is extant. The following death notice was published in The Chariton Herald-Patriot on 8 October 1891: This photo of Alpha (seated at left) and two of her sisters was taken during a reunion in Chariton during the fall of 1881, when Alpha was 85. Mary (Seaward) Tripp/Flint (1799-1895; of Peoria, Ill.) is steated at right; and Sibbel (Seaward) McNall (1811-1891, of New York) is standing.
DIED: At the home of her son, S.S. Arnold, in Chariton, Ia., Monday morning Oct. 5, 1891, Mrs. Alpha Arnold, at the age of 95 years.The funeral was conducted at Mr. Arnold's Tuesday Oct. 6, at 1 o'clock, the sermon being preached by Rev. D. Austin from a text selected by Mrs. Arnold several months ago, and the remains laid to rest in the Salem cemetery south-east of town.
The graves of Edward and Sophia Arnold are marked by a large family stone with no inscription other than the surname "Arnold" that is flanked by small headstones marking the individual graves, Edward to the north and Sophia to the south.
ARNOLD
Aug. 6, 1832
Feb. 2, 1906
Gone but not forgotten
OBITUARIES: EDWARD ARNOLD
The many friends throughout the county of Edward Arnold of Benton township will greatly regret to learn of his death, which occurred at his home on Friday morning, February 2, 1906, at 1:30 o'clock, after an illness of several weeks with dropsy and heart trouble. Largely attended funeral services, conducted by Rev. Blackburn, were held at the Salem church on Sunday morning at eleven o'clock after which interment took place in the Salem cemetery.
Edward Arnold was born in Concord, Muskingum county, Ohio, on August 6, 1832. In the spring of 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Marion county, near Newbern. He enlisted in the army in August, 1862, and served until the close of the war when he received an honorable discharge. He was a member of Company G, 48th Iowa Infantry. In the spring of 1856 he was married at Knoxville to Sophia Barnhart, who survives him. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. They are Mandeville and James, Mrs. Will Holmes and Mrs. Greer Redlingshafer of Benton township, Morris of Humeston, Mrs. Hattie Redlingshafer of Des Moines and Mrs. Dillie Johnson of Kirksville, Mo. One daughter, Mrs. Geo. Smith, died a few years ago. In 1872 Mr. Arnold and family moved to Benton township, this county, and that place has since been their home. Deceased was one of our most progressive and thrifty farmers and was highly regarded by all who knew him. He was honest and upright in all his dealings and possessed a kind and pleasant disposition. These characteristics, coupled with his generous nature and willing hand in time of trouble won him innumerable friends who mourn his death sincerely, and who extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved relatives. Mr. Arnold is also survived by two brothers and three sisters, S.S. Arnold of this city, David of Des Moines, Mrs. Lucy Parker of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Lavina Hunter and Mrs. Mary Bonebrake of Lewisburg, Oregon. (The Chariton Leader, Feb. 8, 1906)
Edward Arnold, one of the most highly respected residents of Lucas county, died at his home in Benton township last Friday, Feb. 2, 1906, from stomach trouble, resulting in heart failure. He suffered a hemorrhage of the brain the day previous. Funeral services were held from the Salem church Sunday at 11 o'clock a.m., conducted by Rev. W.S. Blackburn, and interment made in the Salem cemetery.
Deceased was born near New Concord, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1832. He was raised on a farm in Ohio and much of his youth was spent working in his father's mill. His education was received during the winter months in one of the log school houses of those early days. In 1855 he came overland with a team and wagon, settling in Dallas township, Marion county, and engaged in farming. April 17, 1856, he was married to Miss Sophia
Barnhart, and to this union ten children were born, seven of whom are living.
When the civil war broke out he enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in Company G, Fortieth Iowa Infantry, for a term of three years and was a participant in a number of engagements. He was honorably discharged at Davenport in August, 1865, coming out of the service as Quartermaster Sergeant.
In 1872 Mr. Arnold moved to Lucas county and settled in Liberty township, where he resided until 1875, when he removed to his late home in Benton township. He possessed a generous and jovial nature and was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. His political views were in harmony with the principles advocated by the republican party, in which for years he was an active and effective worker.
The surviving children are: Mrs. Phoebe Holmes, Mrs. Augusta Redlingshafer, Mandaville and James, Benton township; Mrs. Della Anderson, Kirksville, Mo.; Mrs. Hattie Redlingshafer, Des Moines, Ia.; and Morris, of Garden Grove. All were with him during his illness. The bereaved wife and children request us to express their heartfelt thanks to the many kind friends and neighbors who extended sympathy and assistance in their hour of sorrow. (Undated clipping, possibly The Chariton Patriot)
ARNOLD
Jan. 2, 1838
Dec. 6, 1918
OBITUARY: SOPHIA ARNOLD
Sophia Arnold was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1837, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Augusta Redlingshafer, in Benton township, on Dec. 6, 1918. Her age was 81 years, 11 months and 4 days. She was the wife of Edward Arnold, who preceded her in death 12 years ago.
She had been a resident of Lucas county as follows: In Benton township 31 years; after the death of her husband she moved to Chariton, until she decided to make her home with her children until death. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are deceased. Mortimer and Kitty died in infancy. Mrs. Estella Smith twenty years ago and Mrs. Phoeba May Holmes, whose untimely death six years ago many will remember. Those now living are Mandeville, who resides near the old home place; Morris, of Garden Grove; Mrs. Hattie Redlingshafer, of Des Moines; Mrs. Augusta Redlingshafer, of Benton township; and Mrs. Della Anderson and James Walter, of Wanamaker, South Dakota, who was not able to attend his mother's funeral. He was called home but was able to visit her shortly before she passed away to her great comfort. She also leaves 32 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. She was converted in youth and lived a consistent christian life, being loved and respected by all her neighbors and very many friends. She was of a family of fourteen children, only one of whom survives her, Mrs. Matilda Poush, of Davis City, who is in feeble health.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.W. Curtis at the Salem church on Saturday, Dec. 7, and the interment was in the cemetery near. {Chariton Herald Patriot, Dec. 12, 1918)
M & D Arnold
Aug. 4, 1881
Feb 25, 1875
Nov. 3, 1878
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