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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
John Arnold is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and fifteen acres on section 15, Harrison township. His birth occurred in Eddyville, Iowa, January 1, 1858, his father being David Arnold, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Upon the old homestead farm in Harrison township, Mahaska county, John Arnold was reared, while his education was acquired in the common schools. He remained with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated in Wapello county, November 7, 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Florence Bassinger, who was born and reared in Wapello county, completing her education in the high school at Eddyville. She is a daughter of Jacob Bassinger, a native of Germany, one of the early settlers of Iowa, who took up his abode in Wapello county in 1847. He was a prominent and well-to-do farmer, who reared his family and spent his remaining days in that county, his death occurring there in May, 1898. His widow still survives him and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Arnold. Mrs. Bassinger is a native of Kentucky and in her maidenhood was a Miss Morgan. Her girlhood days were passed in Iowa, so that she has now been a resldent of this state for sixty years. Following his marriage Mr. Arnold located in Harrison township, and in 1885, took up his abode at his present home, where he has erected a good, neat two story dwelling and two good barns. He has also fenced his place and has thus divided it into fields of convenient size. He has also set out an orchard and has three hundred select fruit trees. He planted a pine grove and other ornamental trees, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of his place and his farm shows every evidence of careful supervision and practical methods. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arnold has been born a son, Floyd H., a young man now at home. They have also reared an adopted daughter, Dorothy Jeanette Arnold, who became a memher of the household when but four weeks old. She received as a prize at the Farmers Institute, January 16, 1906, a large, fine lamp, winning this in the oratorical contest. Politically Mr. Arnold is a stanch republican, who has voted with the party since casting his first presidential ballot for General Garfield. He has never sought or desired office, giving his time to his farm and business interests. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Arnold is one of the trustees. They have both been residents of this part of the state throughout their entire lives and have thus seen much of its growth and development, Mr. Arnold having broken, cleared and developed considerable land, so that he has contributed to the general progress of the county. He is a successful farmer and business man, held in genuine esteem, and both he and his wife have many friends who greatly enjoy the hospitality of their home.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy