On the River

Muscatine, Iowa

Rivermen

Book
compiled and copyrighted by
Georgeann McClure
~~~~~~~~

George Arnold, Capt.

MUSCATINE JOURNAL
Feb. 22, 1905
 
Prominent Citizen Passed Away This Morning
 
Capt. GEORGE ARNOLD ANSWERS CALL
 
Dies at His Home on West Fourth Street-Was Well Known in This City-an ex-Alderman and Boat Captain.

Just as the night was changing to morning the spirit of George Arnold was summoned to answer roll call in his Masters throne. Surrounded by his wife and family Mr. Arnold passed away at his home 601 West Fourth street, at 12:20 o’clock this morning. His death was very quiet and peaceful and was so characteristic of the life he had led. Without a murmur, without a struggle, he quietly went to sleep to awake in that better land.
 

Had Been Quite Ill
 

 For the past week Mr. Arnold had been quite ill at his home with an attack of pneumonia. He had had a cold for some time, but did not think it very serious until last Wednesday when he was compelled to take to his bed. Since that time he has gradually been growing weaker until all hope for his recovery was given up by his family. The end came as a shock to his beloved wife and sister. Mrs. W. A. Edminston, as they were unprepared for this sudden parting.

Was a Prominent Citizen

  Mr. Arnold was one of the most prominent citizens of Muscatine. For six years he was the alderman for the first ward and represented the people of that ward in such a way that won only commendation for him from everyone. He believed in honesty and right living and so was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

Member of Sand Company
 

  During the last few years Mr. Arnold had been a member of the Muscatine Sand Company, which has been operating at this point, pumping sand from the river bed near the city. As a business man he was honored by his associates on account of his square dealings.

Was Born At Quincy
 

George Arnold was born in Quincy Ill., on April 19, 1846, After spending a few of his earliest years of his life in that city, he moved to Port Louisa with his parents, and later came to this city in 1858, He has made Muscatine his home ever since. Mr. Arnold was educated in the schools of this city after which he entered the service of his father, Capt. Arnold and became a river engineer.

Helped Run First Ferry Boat
 

Mr. Arnolds father was the captain of the first ferry boat operating at this point. This boat was called the “Muscatine” and carried passengers across the river back and forth from Illinois. It was on this boat that Mr. Arnold saw his first experience as a river man.

Became Captain of “Holston”

  After several years of service with his father he became captain of the steamer “Holston,” in the year 1870.
Several years after this Mr. Arnold conducted a rafting business, transferring, the log rafts from Reeds landing to Keokuk. He left this work to go on the government steamer where he worked for many years. In the year 1883, Mr. Arnold purchased a half interest in the “Ida May” which was the last ferry boat operating at this point. He was connected with the boat until the high bridge was erected.

 Married in 1883
 

On September 25, 1883, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage with Miss Helen Leysen, of this city, who now is left to mourn his death.

Will Be Missed By Many
 

Besides the immediate members of his family, his wife and sister, Mrs. W.A. Edminston, Mr. Arnold’s death will be mourned by the many friends and business associates.

Funeral to Be Friday
 

 The funeral will be held Friday morning at 9 o’clock, in St. Mathias church. Rev. F.J. Leonard and Rev. J.I. Greiser will conduct the service and read the high mass service of that church. The internment will be made in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

	St. Mary's Cemetery
George J Arnold Born Apr. 19, 1846 Died Feb. 22, 1905		Helen Arnold Born: Feb. 15,1849 Died: Feb 20, 1928
	^ Arrow points to small individual stones for George and Helen Arnold.
		The Arnold Home 601 w. 3rd Street Muscatine, Iowa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leonard Arnold, Capt..

Capt. Leonard Arnold
Sudden Death of Leonard Arnold
"Old Settlers" (Page 464)

 Another old settler has answered the final summons and gone to the great beyond. Leonard Arnold, a well known and highly esteemed citizen, suddenly passed away at his home on West Fourth and Locust streets at 5:30 this morning, of heart failure. He was taken ill on election day last and was confined to his home for some time, but managed to recover and was about for part of the time, being down town only yesterday, greeting his old friends. This morning about 5:10 he went to the stair door of his home and called his daughter, Mrs. W.A. Edminston, advising her that he was not feeling well and asked her to get him a warm drink of some kind, which she promptly did, and in the meantime aroused her brother, George, who lives in the adjoining house. When the latter reached the old home he was pained to see his beloved father gasping his last breath, for a second later all was over, it being just 5:30 o’clock. It was a terrible shock to the son and daughter to realize that the end had come so suddenly, but heart trouble and old age had done its work.

Deceased was born in Schnornabach Grand Duchy, Hesen-Darmstadt, Germany, January 5, 1822, and came to this country, landing in New York in 1844, where he remained but a short time, then he went to Pittsburgh, and from there to Quincy, when in 1846 he removed to Port Louisa county, Iowa, then Wallings Landing, where he remained until in 1858 he came to Muscatine, and here he had resided ever since, being engaged in the wood, coal and sand business, and followed boating on the old Mississippi, being known as Capt. Arnold for many miles up and down the river. He was a good citizen, quiet and unassuming, honest and industrious, a kind husband and father, and had the confidence of all who knew him. He was married in 1846 to Miss Anna M. Merkel, who preceded him in death about seventeen years ago.

Religiously he was a faithful member of St. Mathias church, from which the funeral will take place Friday morning at 9 o’clock.