George Arnhold

GEORGE ARNHOLD.  A resident of St. Joseph for upwards of three score years, and a veteran of the war between the states, George Arnhold is numbered among the citizens of high standing and good repute in Buchanan County, and as a man of integrity and worth is held in high esteem throughout the community.  He was born in Bavaria, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Philip Arnhold, and of his grandfather, John Arnhold.  His great-grandfather on the paternal side was also a native, and life-long resident of that village, where he carried on a good business as a contractor and builder.

Following the trade of his father, John Arnhold was engaged in building and contracting in his native village until 1849, when he came to America, locating in St. Louis, where he resided until his death, at a ripe old age.  Three of his sons, Michael, John and Philip, immigrated to the United States, as did a daughter, who married a Mr. Dick, Michael and Philip settling in St. Louis.

Brought up and educated in the fatherland, Philip Arnhold succeeded to the occupation of his father and grandfather, becoming a contractor and builder.  Settling up his affairs in the fall of 1852, he started soon after for America, with his family embarking in a sailing vessel, and after a tiresome voyage of sixty-six days landing in New Orleans.  Coming from there to Missouri, he spent six months in St. Louis, and then came by boat to St. Joseph.  At that time there was not a railroad west of the Mississippi, the entire country being a territory, and Northwest Missouri was but sparsely settled, with only a small portion of land cleared.  There were several stores, however, but the greater part of the business consisted in the selling of goods to parties preparing to cross the plains, many trains starting from St. Joseph each year.  Establishing himself as a contractor and builder, Philip Arnhold carried on a good business in that line for many years, continuing a resident of the city until his death, at the age of three score and ten years.  He married Caroline Klos, a native of Bavaria.  She survived him, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-two years.  Eight children were born of their marriage, as follows:  Karl, Caroline, Philip, Sophie, Jacob, Frederick, Charlotte, and George.  At the breaking out of the war between the states Frederick enlisted in the Thirteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and in the engagement at Lexington was captured by the Confederates, and subsequently released on parole.  Being then exchanged, he re-enlisted in the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he took part in many engagements, and was killed at the last battle fought in North Carolina.

George Arnhold was educated in the public schools of St. Joseph, and as a boy began to learn the trade of stone cutter.  In 1864, inspired by patriotic enthusiasm, he enlisted in Company C, Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and with his comrades took part in all of the regiment's marches, campaigns and battles, seeing service in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.  Being honorably discharged from the service in September, 1865, Mr. Arnhold returned to St. Joseph, and for the ensuing six years worked at his trade.  Embarking in business as a contractor in 1871, he continued thus employed for more than forty years, doing a large amount of contracting and building.

Mr. Arnhold succeeded to the ownership of his father's homestead, and has occupied it continuously for sixty-one years, it being located on North Second Street, and containing five acres of land.  When his father bought the property a small portion of the land, on which a log house had been erected, was cleared, and constituted the entire improvements.  The land is now all improved, and Mr. Arnhold cultivates the various fruits grown in this section of the country, and all kinds of garden truck.  The log house which was the first home of the family has given place to a comfortable brick residence.  The land is quite level, but it is on an elevation commanding a fine view of the city and surrounding country, the place being very pleasant and attractive.

Mr. Arnhold married, February 15, 1870, Miss Mary Charpentier, who was born in Strassburg, Alsace, France.  Her father, Alphonse Charpentier, a native of France, was well educated, and as a young man entered the Government service as a public official in the City of Strassburg, and was there a resident until his death, at the age of fifty-two years.  His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Lutz, was born in Strassburg, France.  Left a widow with six children when comparatively young, she came with her children to America in 1853, settling in Wheeling, Virginia, where she subsequently married George Chaney.  In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Chaney migrated to Missouri, and spent their remaining days in St. Joseph.  By her first marriage Mrs. Chaney had five children, Josephine, August, Joseph, Mary and Augusta.  Both of the sons served in the war between the states, August serving in the Confederate Army, and Joseph in the Union Army.  By her second marriage Mrs. Chaney had three daughters, Louisa, Anna and Catherine.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnhold are the parents of nine children, namely:  Frederick, Josephine, George, Philip, Caroline, Thomas, Oscar, Marie, and Raymond.  Frederick married Johanna Jellick, and they have three children, Gladys, Mary and Frederick.  Josephine, wife of Samuel P. Fleshman, has four children, Otis, Lloyd, Carolyn and Frederick.  George married Lena Castle.  Philip married Sadie Reed.  Caroline, wife of Arthur Shanburg, has two children, Ruth and Victor.  Thomas married Clara Steinmetz, and they have one daughter, Gertrude.¹  Marie married Oscar Shaw and has two children, Helen and Carroll.

Fraternally Mr. Arnhold is a member of St. Joseph Lodge No. 78, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Mitchell Chapter no. 89, Royal Arch Masons; of St. Joseph Council No. 9, Royal and Select Masters; and of Moila Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.