Elisha Arnold
ELISHA M. ARNOLD was born in Campbell County, Kentucky,
May 10, 1810. He was the fifth of ten children born to John and Mary (Cherry) Arnold,
both natives of Virginia. Rev. John Arnold moved to Kentucky with his parents, in early manhood. He was a
farmer but began work in the ministry of the Baptist persuasion. In 1835, he moved to Decatur County, Indiana.
He was a man of some means, and soon had a good home - though in a wild country. He continued in the ministry
until old age compelled him to resign. He died at the age of eighty-four, and his wife at the age of eighty-six.
Elisha passed his early years on a farm in Campbell County, Kentucky. He lived with his parents until
he was married, March 8, 1835, to Miss Margaret Powell, who came to Shelby County with her parents, Abraham
and Elizabeth Powell. Soon after his marriage Mr. Arnold rented a small farm, and three years later he
purchased his present home. He served an apprenticeship at the mason trade, which he worked at many years.
He has made a success of life and at was at one time the heaviest tax-payer in the county. He is the father
of ten children: Mary, Eliza, Ripley, Bennett W., Ferris, Laura, Fanny,
James and E. Madison. Eliza died at the age of thirty-four years. Mrs. Arnold
died July 24, 1863, aged forty-one. Mr. Arnold is an honest, upright man, and though identified with no church
has lived a moral, Christian life.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, page 684.
Copied by James R. Baker, Jr.