Ventura County
Biographies
J. A. Argabrite
J. L. Argabrite, formerly of the firm of Argabrite & Cannon, grocers of San Buenaventura, was born in West Virginia, April 8, 1856. His father, Pharis Argabrite, was of German descent, and his mother, nee Rosana Jerrett, was a native of West Virginia. The subject of this brief notice, the youngest of twelve children, was educated at Roanoke College, Virginia. When he became of age he was appointed conductor on the Ashland Coal and Iron Railway, and had that position five years. He is a member of the Masonic Order, a young business man of energy and integrity, and a good citizen.
He was married in 1879 to Miss Dora, daughter of Captain J. P. Mail, born in Augusta County, Virginia. They have three children: Newton M., Joseph M., and William Wade. Mrs. Argabrite was in poor health, and he came to California with her for a change of climate; but she did not recover, her death occurring February 20, 1887; and in April, 1889, he married Miss Clara Cannon, who was born in Nevada City, this State, and came to Ventura in 1875 with her parents. By this marriage there is one son, named Clarence C.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 663 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Edward F. Arnold
Edward F. Arnold was born in Martinez, Contra Costa County, California, November 4, 1853. His father, Cutler Arnold, came to California in 1849. (See sketch of the family in the history of Mr. Mathew Arnold, a brother of Edward F.) Mr. Arnold was reared and educated in the county of Lassen and in Sacramento, and came to Ventura County before he was twenty-one years old. When he reached his majority he owned 120 acres of land near Hueneme. In 1886, being in poor health, he sold this property to his brother and came to Nordhoff. He purchased 100 acres of land, improved it in part, and sold it in 1887. He then engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being Arnold & Van Curen. A year later he sold out and built his present drug store. The firm of Arnold & Sager have the only drug house in Nordhoff. It is well fitted and stocked with everything in the drug line. These gentlemen, being courteous and obliging, have established a fine trade and enjoy the good-will of the entire community.
Mr. Arnold has built for himself and family a comfortable residence, has regained his heatlh, and is now in a fair situation to enjoy life. He was married in 1878 to Miss Lou Trotter, a native of Illinois, and a resident of California since 1877. They have three children, two born at Hueneme and one at Nordhoff, viz.: Albert Walter, Lora L. and Frank. Mr. Arnold is a Republican; was elected Justice of the Peace, but, not desiring office, resigned.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 454 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Henry H. Arnold
Henry H. Arnold, the oldest of the Arnold brothers, who came to California in 1852, and settled in Ventura County, two miles east of Hueneme, in 1871, was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, November 10, 1837. (For the father's history, see the sketch of Mathew H. Arnold, in this book.) Henry H. left his native State when fourteen years of age, and came across the Isthmus of Nicaragua to California, with the family, and settled in Marysville, in 1857. He located 160 acres of land in Lassen County, built a house and made it his home for fourteen years, being engaged in raising grain and stock. He sold out and came to Ventura County in 1871, as already stated, his father having come to this county two years previous to that time, thinking he had found the finest tract of Government land. They were more than a month coming from Lassen County, and their outfit consisted of four wagons drawn by horses, the party numbering Henry H. and Leroy Arnold, B. J. Robertson (father-in-law of the subject of this sketch), his son Frank, and their wives and children - eleven in all. They camped out every night, and as there was plenty of deer, antelope, and quails, they had all the meat they wanted. In their journey across the plains and in their pioneer life in the far West they had become accustomed to that kind of life, and enjoyed it. When they arrived at their destination they found a squatter's board shanty on nearly every quarter-section of land. Mr. Arnold went up the Sespe River to look for a place, but returned and settled in his present locality. This land proved to belong to Thomas Scott, and Mr. Arnold bought 160 acres, on which they camped for three months, or until he got a house built. In 1881 he built a better house, and in 1889 he added to it and remodeled it, until he now has a commodious home. Mr. Arnold's principal crop has been barley, and he has farmed from 300 to 1,200 acres of land. He is also engaged in raising horses, Belgium stock, and is the owner of Dandy Dick, a fine thoroughbred, seventeen and a half hands high, weight 1,720 pounds.
Mr. Arnold was married in 1866 to Miss Permilia Robertson, a native of Illinois. They have five children, Charles R. and Annie G., born in Lassen County, and the three younger, Lizzie, Nellie and Eliza, born in Ventura County. Charles R. married Miss Helen Hodge, a native of California. They have a little daughter, Hazel. This son also has a nice house on the ranch.
The subject of this sketch belongs to the A.O.U.W., and has been a life-long Republican. His first vote was cast for that great, good man Abraham Lincoln. The Arnold brothers own large tracts of land adjoining each other, and are all prominent ranchers of this county.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 332 Transcribed by Sandy Neder