Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-05-12
BIOGRAPHY.

John Baptist Arp1n was born in st.
Ours, Canada, March Goth, 1926, being
in the siXty-seventh year of his age at
the time of his demise. He came to
Grand Rapids, Wis, via Galena, in 1913,
then % years of age. In 1851 he went
to California but returned in 1858. He
made trip to Canada in 1859, where
he was married to Miss Clarise Cotey
| on the 5th of September of the same
year. They soon after returned to this
city where he has since resided. This
union has been happy one, and was
blessed with sixteen children, nine of
whom survive him and were about his
bedside to console and comfort him and
their aged mother during the last sad
hours. They are Daniel j., Edmund P,
Georgianna NJ, Mary Della, Joseph T.,
Arsin L., John, Arthur and Emma. A
twin brother Antoine, now at the bed
side of a sick daughter in Dubuque, Ia,
and two sisters, Mrs. Paul Parodeau, of
st. Ours, Canada, and Mrs. Augustin
Gurnon, ST. Simon, Canada, still survive
him.
Mr.. Arpin is type Of the self made
man peculiar to this land of the free.
\ man with limited chance for educa-
| ton and few opportunities, but with
good natural ability he commenced his
business career as a chopper in the
woods at the age of 16 years. From
this time he has always been identi
fed with numbering interests, and
proved himself to be thorough lum-
herman and an able fnancier In the
bright lexicon Of John Arpin's life there
was no such word as fail. His kindly
consideration of others, his calm and
resolute bearing, amicable disposition
and firm business qualities made
staunch friends for him wherever he
! went. His thoughts were direct because
his actions were upright. With these
qualities working in unison his interests
in lumber and lands gradually extended
until in June, 1891, in company with his
| Lumber Co., who since built large saw
mill and now own 100 900 feet of
| choice timber. The sons have been
successfully carrying on this business
during his sickness. The company now
| has paid up capital of $120,000.
A little more than one year ago he
erected beautiful and costly home
| which stands in our city to day as a
monument of his taste, thrift and
enterprise. Here, surrounded by a
loving family and all the comforts of
life he passed his last year on earth.
He was loving and indulgent husband
and a true father, and his refined
nature and kind consideration for the
family have conveyed to them inspiring
| tokens of character not soon to be
forgotten. Thus from being poor
boy, energy, pluck and perseverance
brought John Arpin to success and
affiuence, until at the time of his death
he was the president of one of the
richest corporations in Central Wiscon-
sin and a man widely known and
universally respected.
FUNERAL.
| The funeral services were held this
morning at 1880 O. CLOCK at the residence
and in the Catholic church, of which
he was devoted member, at II O'Clock
| The bereaved widow, whose life has
been one of loving devotion and sacri-
flee is nearly postrate from grief and
fatigue. The following old settlers and
friends of the deceased acted as pail
| bearers:
Capt. E. Mennett, of Port Edwards;
Robt. Parrish and Frank Pomainville,
of Grand Rapids; j. w. Cameron, of
Vesper; Patrick Conway, of Rudolph;
Julian Biron, of Merrill.
Peacefully tue remains lay in a bed
of flowers with beautiful floral emblems
dotting the dark green foliage. The