BIO: Frederick Klugh Arnold, Jefferson County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kitty Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/ http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/beers/beers-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1072-1073. _____________________________________________________________________ FREDERICK KLUGH ARNOLD (deceased) was for many years a leader in financial circles in this region. But few men can point to a record of continuous but varied effort in which good fortune has been so constant; but Mr. Arnold possessed in full measure the qualities which command success. His paternal ancestors were early settlers in York county, Penn., where Peter Arnold, his father, was born, and was married to Miss Susanah Klugh of York county. In 1837 they moved to Clearfield county, settling in Brady township, where they both died in April, 1869. Mr. Arnold's quiet tastes making him averse to public life, he gave his attention closely to business affairs, but in all social phases he was held in high esteem by those with whom he associated. Frederick Klugh Arnold, whose name introduces this sketch, was born May 9, 1824, in York county, and grew to manhood after the custom of country life in those days. The work at the home farm required much of his time and interfered sadly with his studies in the neighboring schools, which were, of course, not to be compared for efficiency or scope with those of the present time. At sixteen he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker, and after spending two years in learning the trade, he opened a shop of his own in Luthersburg, Clearfield county. He prospered, and in five years had saved enough money to enable him to engage in mercantile business, which he followed profitably for seventeen years. In 1871 he began his career as a banker, taking half of the capital stock, $40,000, of the F. K. Arnold & Co.'s Bank at Luthersburg. In this, as in other enterprises, he was successful from the time he devoted his attention to banking. After having passed three years in Luthersburg he sold his interests there and removed to Reynoldsville, where for ten years he was connected with F. K. Arnold & Co.'s Bank. In 1884 he was the prime mover in the establishment of the First National Bank at Du Bois, Penn., with a capital stock of $50,000, and for the first four years he was its president. He then resigned, and, returning to Reynoldsville, he opened a private bank, which he conducted two years before disposing of it to Seely, Alexander & Co. Failing health made it necessary for him to retire from active business several years ago. During Mr. Arnold's active business life he was interested in many lines of enterprise, public and private, aside from his regular business. He was one of the chief promoters of the Reynoldsville Water Works, and his influence was the main factor in the establishment, July 26, 1894, of the Reynoldsville Woolen Mills, which are now in successful operation and employ about forty hands, manufacturing flannels, blankets and jeans, and consuming some 200,000 pounds of wool per annum. He also invested to some extent in the Colorado gold fields, especially at Cripple Creek. In 1880 he built the Arnold block at the corner of Main and Fifth streets, which to-day stands as a monument to his enterprise. On May 9, 1848, the twenty-fourth anniversary of his birth, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Elizabeth Goodlander, a native of Lycoming county, Penn., born October 10, 1828, a daughter of Henry Goodlander, a well-known citizen of that section.. Three children of this union are now living: Clara E., wife of William B. Alexander, a prominent banker of Reynoldsville; James B., a sketch of whom follows; and Isabel R., who is at home. The father was a member of the English Lutheran Church, to which Mrs. Arnold also belongs, but their children are all Presbyterians in faith. Mrs. Arnold, at the age of sixty-eight, is blessed with the vigorous health which was so noticeable in her husband, and no one would have taken them for great-grandparents, although they attained that dignity some years ago. Mrs. Arnold's mother is still living aged eighty-eight years, making five generations now in existence. Mr. Arnold was never active in politics, but like all good citizens he took a keen interest in public affairs, and from 1860 until his death he affiliated with the Republican party. When eighteen years of age he joined the Lutheran Church in Luthersburg, in which he ever afterward kept his membership. For twenty years he was faithful in his attendance at and the support of the Presbyterian Church at Reynoldsville, although never a member of that society. His successful and well spent life closed April 19, 1897, and in his death Reynoldsville lost one of her best business men and most popular citizens, while his family were bereft of a loving husband and devoted father. James B. Arnold, only son of the late Frederick Klugh Arnold, was born July 26, 1856, in Clearfield county, Penn., and received his education at the common schools of his native place, and at the Commercial College, Pittsburg. From the age of fourteen years he was with his father in business until the latter's death, since when he has been secretary and treasurer of the Reynoldsville Woolen Mills, established by his father as above recorded. On November 1, 1877, he was married to Miss Emma L. Smith, of Candor, Washington Co., Penn., and they have one son, Harold E. Politically, Mr. Arnold is a Republican; in religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.