The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-01-20
David Arnold.

| Our quiet community was startled last
Saturday evening by receiving despatch
announcing the death Of the person whose
nAine heads this article Having for forty
wears occupied place second TO none in
the attention Of the people OF this com.
munity q sketch Of his life and character
can 10 no respect be inappropriate.
lie was born in Londonderry, March IL.
| 1871 His father was a siaid old farmer.
aud one Of those life.holding justices Of
the peace who used 10 exercise well nigh
lordly influence in the community. Ii is
said that hc was elected 10 the State legis-
lAture for twenty eight years in succession,
either rs representative or senator. His
children received their education at the
district school, DAVID spending term or
two at Chester Academy.
AT twenty-three the son David married
Lydia Dudley, OF Peru, a member Of a
family Of which that town has ever felt
Justly proud For the following eighteen
years he lived upon what has been long
known as Arnold hill, about one mile from
the Villages farmer by profession but
more OF lawyer by occupation, 10 which
pursuit his home surroundings naturally
led him.
In ls4s, while living here, lac was
elected TO represent his town in the leg
islature, nm Office which he repeatedly held.
This same year Witnessed his admission TO
tho bar and bis selection as a side Judge Of
the County court. He WAS also elected a
member Of the council Of censors next sit
ting.
In 1852 be moved down TO the village
for the purpose Of more fully practicing
the legal profession, occupying the house
where he has ever since resided. One year
before the war broke out he obtained an
interest in the store which has so long
borne his name, the control Of which re-
manned in his hands up to the time Of his
decease, although his own individual time
was largely devoted to legal and outside
pursuits.
Although decidedly opposed to any per-
sonal preierment he has ever taken an ac-
tive part in the politics of the country,
being well nigh the only man in his village
who, during the dark period OF the re-
bellion, was outspoken in the defence
OF the honor of his countrys flag. He
lived in the very hot bed of copperhead-
ism, and long viii men remember the
scath@g blows which Judge Arnold adj
ministered to il, entirely regardless OF self
or personal interest He had manner of
conversation, especially in those times,
which was very Ineligible, never shrink
ing from calling things by their right
names. Indeed one OF tho strong points
in his character has ever been firm and de-
cided conviction and entire fearlessness in
the expression OF them.
With no profession of perfection upon
his own part, he utterly despised any show
OF cant or hypocrisy upon the part Of
others, In many things rough and severe
yet 10 those whom he respected he was the
very pattern OF dignity and gentleman
illness. No words were too severe for one
who endeavored to cheat or defraud him,
for whenever he struck he struck hard and
made the steel ring. He was entirely
unique as well as strong in all of his traits.
And his physical appearance was in full
correspondence; of full bold countenance,
portly figure and firm, heavy step. His
words and acts were, consequently, always
known and felt His manner OF expression
was always forcible for he never dallied or
hesitated in his purpose. Having once
decided upon decided upon his course he
pushed firmly through and would brook
no defeat or compromise
He was man extraordinary in his
merits and extraordinary in his fanlts-one
of those who stamp their character and
personality upon all around them. He
erred In tina, he did not more fully lift
himself above the level OF his surround |
ings, but allowed his life to be shaped too
much by his circumstances, When we
reflect upon what he was and what he
might have been. had he stood solely upon
a platform Of the highest moral principle, |
we confess TO feeling OF regret, for the |
spectacle is so rare that above all we
should have been delighted to have seen
man OF his strength and calibre occupy it, |
His decease leaves wide gap hard to
be filed. Many viii miss him now, and
many more, who miss him but little now,
will miss him more in the years to come |
One OF our great Landmarks has toppled |
over He will occupy little space in the
written history Of our country or State
although political aspiration upon his
par, would undoubtedly have placed him
there--yet his name and the memory Of
many OF his personal traits viii long sur
viye him and be lost only among the dim
traditions OF the past
He was the father Of eight children, two
dying Young and six OUTLYING him, form.
ing group Of which the surviving parent
may we'll feel blessed in her motherhood.
OF the sons George the Oldest, is physi-
clan Of prominence in Boston; Charles is
a practicing lawyer in New York, and
Samuel a skillfnl engravcr in ST. Louis.
Tho daughters are Fannie, married to MIR.
Starbuck Of Washington Co, n. y; Carrie
married 10 j. W. Mellendy, Sheriff OF
windham Co, and Mary, the youngest Of
all, happily situated as the wife OF George
Rnhinson. Of Londonderry.