The Somerset reporter., 1899-10-05
our town.

'Hs77SM W
Samuel d. Arnold was born in Glou-
cester, Cumberland county, the son of
Benjamin Arnold. His mother died
when he was four years of age, and
when he arrived at the age Of Ii years
he struck out into life for himself aud
entered the store of Mr.. Flagg in Au
gusta. Some years later when about
II years of age, he came TO Skowhegan
and entered the store of Capt. Joseph
Patten, grandfather of X. L. Patten,
now treasurer of Somerset county, also
was clerk in the store of Col. Cyrus
Fletcher. He was then in company
with John Kimball tor a few years in
the general merchandise trade in
Skowhegan, the name of the firm being
kimball & Arnold.
About the year 1910, 5. d. Arnold and
Reuben Kdder bought out Arson p.
Morrill, at East Madison, where they
continued in trade for some 3 years.
when Mr.. Arnold sold out to his partner
and returned to Skowhegan and built
the store now occupied by his son, Geo.
d. Arnold. This store WAS known as
the "Seven by nine" for many years,
and Mr.. Arnold continued in trade there
until 1851, when he pulled up stakes and
went to California, across the Isthmus.
Iu California he was employed in steam
boat navigation on the Sacramento river.
He returned from California in 1854,
built the brick store on Madison avenue,
now occupied by Green & Barnard, and
for many years occupied it, doing a
large business in the dry goods line.
While here the oil cloth factory enter
prise was started in town. and with his
interest in the welfare of the town, took
an active part In it, investing money and
signing papers sufficient to seriously
embarrass and cripple him in his own
business.
Later he erected the store recently
owned and occupied by A. f. Dyer, ad
Joining the brick store above mentioned,
which he occupied in the dry goods bust
ness until failing health compelled him
to relnquish his life long vocation,
few years ago, at which time he had
spent more than fifty full years of his
life, during business hours, "behind the
counter"
S. d. Arnold, in his early days, be.
longed to the Wing party and took an
active part in the log-cabin campaign in
1910, when w. Il. Harrison (Tippa-
canoe) was the successful candidate for
President, and Edward Kent was the
Whig,canddate for governor of Maine.
Later he was Republican, one of the
warm supporters of James q. Blaine,
during his early career In Maine politics,
and acted with that party until the
"Greenback" detection of 1873. He
represented Skowhegan class in the leg
islature at Augusta in 1858.
Mr.. Arnold threw himself into the
Washingtonian cause, when that early
temperance movement swept the State,
aud with others, erected Washington
Hall, the building at the corner of High
and Madison streets, now owned and
occupied by Baker and Marble. He was
always from that time onward, an active
temperance worker and liberal con-
tributer for the good of the cause. He
was also one of the leaders in the organi-
cation of the Somerset Musical Associa-
ton, ard took great pleasure and interest
In the meetings, conventions and con-
certs of that society.
He was one of the charter members of
the first lodge Of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows in Skowhegan, and
maintained his interest and membership
IN the order to the end.
In the year 1897 S. ID. Arnold was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ste
ward Philbrick, daughter of Samuel and
Betsey (White) Philbrick and sister of
William and George Philbrlck. Mrs.
Arnold died In 1893 They are survived
by two children, George D., who is a
merchant in this town, and Belle p,
wife of n. p. Ow en-, also of this town
The son and the daughter have both
ministered to the comfort of the aged
father, during the recent years OF his
severe and protracted Illness.
Mr.. Arnold was public spirited citi-
zen, kind neighbor, warm hearted
friend, and has many sincere mourners
in our town.
Funeral services were held ip the
family home, Wednesday afternoon at
1.30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Fl. w.
Kimball. Carrabasset Lodge |. o. o. F.
attended in body and the burial SER
vices and rites of the order were obser-
we'd. The places of business in town
were closed during the funeral hour in
respect to the memory of the man who
had, for so many years, been actively
and honorably engaged in mercantile
pursuits, here.