During the forty-seven years that have passed over the head of E. D. Arnold in Searcy County, he has thoroughly identified himself with every interest of the same, and has been very public spirited and progressive. He was born in this county February 20, 1847, to William and Elizabeth (Dean) Arnold, the former of whom is now living on Buffalo River in this county. He came thither about 1840, from Wabash County, Illinois, where he was born, whose father, Jacob Arnold, came with him to this section, having been a soldier in the War of 1812. William Arnold was a Union soldier during the great Civil War, and is now living in Searcy County, Arkansas, quite advanced in years. He was married here and here reared his family of seven children: Martha (Hodges); E. D.; Jacob, who is living on Richland Creek in this county; Andrew J., who is living on Buffalo Creek in this county; Jasper, a farmer also on Buffalo Creek; William J. also farms there, and Martin G., a farmer of the county. Three children died young: Mary J., Member and John. The mother of these children was called to 'that bourne whence no traveler returns' in 1874, having lived the life of a true and earnest Christian. William Arnold is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a prominent citizen of Searcy County and is looked up to by every one who has the honor of his acquaintance.

The early life of E. D. Arnold was spent on his father's farm and from there he enlisted, at the age of seventeen years in the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and the most of the time was stationed at Little Rock, but was also for some time at Louisburg. At the close of the war he returned home and at once set energetically to work to till the soil and also engaged in the sale of merchandise, being connected in the latter enterprise with Mr. McBride. Being a man of sound, good sense, practical ideas and of an energetic disposition, his efforts have been attended with excellent results and he is the owner of several good farms in Searcy County, one of his farms of 200 acres being in an excellent state of cultivation. Stockraising, that most profitable branch of agriculture, has also received much attention at his hands, and in addition to raising, he is also a dealer.

He has always been active in political matters, has been a delegate to State conventions and in numerous other ways has manifested much public spirit. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Marshall Lodge, and of the G. A. R. post at that place.

He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Hensley, daughter of John and Mary (May) Hensley, Tennesseeans, but emigrants to Arkansas in 1840, the journey thither being made overland. The father died in St. Louis during the war, a prisoner of the Federals, having been captured while serving in the Confederate Army. He was clerk of the county at an early day and in politics was an Old Line Whig. His widow survives him at the age of eighty-four years and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Arnold. The latter was born in this county December 8, 1847, and is one of two surviving members of a family of seven children born to her parents, the other member being Louisa (Wyatt), of Richland, Arkansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have five children: Eugene C., who is engaged in farming on his father's place, is married and the father of three children, Bert, Virgie and Jennie; William H. L.; Albert D.; Maude and Minnie. As a substantial, law abiding citizen, Mr. Arnold has no superior and the many friends that he has gathered about him testifies to his popularity.

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