Source: N. Manchester Journal, January 10, 1901

DEATH OF JESSE ARNOLD

Another old and well known citizen has passed to the great beyond. Jesse Arnold died at the home of his son Thomson between six and seven o'clock Monday evening. His death was not unlooked for but is nevertheless a great shock to his friends. For a couple of years and especially for six months past Mr. Arnold has been in failing health, being the victim of consumption. Within the past two weeks his decline was very rapid and his death was a quiet and peaceful one.

Mr. Arnold has been a resident of this place for thirty years past and his life was familiarly if not intimately known to all the people among whom he was most generally esteemed and respected as one of the best citizens. during this period he was actively identified with the interests and upbuilding of the town and was recognized a a public spirited but conservative citizen. Of late years troubles and bereavements tell to his lot which undoubtedly had much to do in cutting short his life, for ordinarily he appeared to be a vigorous man who naturally would have survived many years yet.

Mr. Arnold was born near Greenville, Ohio, October 24, 1831, and his boyhood was spent in that part of the country. In 1849 he came to the present town of South Whitley where he engaged in the mercantile and milling business with his brother John, making that place his home until his removal to this city. He was the seventh child in a family of twelve children only a few of whom are now living. In the fall of 1858 Mr. Arnold was married to Sarah A. Thomson, who died about six years ago. To them were born four children, only one of whom, Thomson Arnold, survives him.

Mr. Arnold came to this place in 1871 to engage in the banking business opening the Manchester Bank which was reorganized into the First National Bank in 1883. This institution was for many years the leading bank of the town but in the great financial panic of 1893 owing to outside complications it was compelled to close its doors and Mr. Arnold lost the accumulation of years. In all his business relations he bore the confidence and respect of the people and was considered a man of good judgment whose advice was often sought and acted upon.

He was a man of firm convictions and a positive nature, yet of great kindness of heart. He was a student of public affairs, a great reader and a man of very wide information. Mr. Arnold was a member of the fifty-first general assembly of the state in the year 1879, this being the only public office he ever held except that of town trustee. His circle of acquaintance was very large and probably few men in the Eel river valley were better known than he.

One trait of his character was a remarkable and somewhat unusual one. He thought this town one of the attractive spots on earth. He praised the sober quality and high moral standard of the people. He admired the attractiveness of the town; and felt that he had been blessed to be permitted to pass his life in this place. Mr. Arnold thought that our little city and the country surrounding it was filled with people unsurpassed by any similar community anywhere.

Everything pertaining to education claimed his active aid. When North Manchester was incorporated he was the first president of the town board, and held the position many years. He considered that the organization of our graded school was a lasting monument to the promoters of it; and looked with pride on the results of our school system in North Manchester.

Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, January 10, 1901) at 1:30 o'clock at the M.E. church conducted by Rev. A. E. Wooten, and burial in Oak Lawn cemetery. Friends wishing to view the remains can do so at the residence of his son Thompson between the hours of eleven and one today.