Capt. E. E. Arnold

from the research of John David Arnold

E. E. Arnold, a well known resident of Decaturville, and sheriff of the county, is a member of one of the oldest families in the section. His grandfather, Ephraim Arnold, located in the county at a very early day; the exact date is not known, but is thought to have been no later than 1814, as James E. was born in 1824, and was the youngest of six children, born to them after coming to the county. Uncle James Harris was the only other settler at that time. They were subjected to all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and were greatly troubled with panthers, they being so bold and vicious as to make it necessary to fasten the doors and windows with iron bars. James B., the father, was a farmer; he died in 1866; the mother is still living, they were the parent of eleven children, ten of whom still live. Our subject worked on a farm until he was sixteen years of ago, when he became a pilot on a raft, which occupation he continued until 1882; was then elected sheriff of the, county, holding that office up to the present time. April 2, 1874, he married Miss Mary B. Crowder, who died March 22, 1883, leaving a family of five children: Melissa A., Ida M., James B., Mary G. and William G. Mr. Arnold married again to Miss Medora Crowder, January 7. 1885; to this union one child has been born, Carry F. Mr. Arnold is prominently connected with the Masons; he been a member since 1872, also belongs to the I.O.O.F. He was one of the Grangers; was master of the county when that organization went down. He is a Democrat and a man who has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, esteemed by all.

• Goodspeed’s History of Decatur County