Ventura County
Biographies
Leroy Arnold
Leroy Arnold is a pioneer of California, having come to this coast in 1852, when a boy ten years of age. He was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, January 22, 1842. His father, Cullar Arnold, is a native of Ohio, born in 1818, and now resides in Orange, Orange County, California. The Arnolds were among the early settlers of America. Mr. Arnold's mother, Emily (Hough) Arnold, was born in the State of Illinois. For a number of generations her ancestors were residents of the United States. Leroy Arnold is one of a family of nine children, six sons and two daughters now being residents of California, and one child having died in infancy. His father, on coming to California with his family, settled in Marysville, and opened two stores of miners' supplies, one at Nelson Creek and the other at Goodyear's Bar. He was there for three years, and then moved to Martinez, Contra Costa County, where he farmed two years. After this he kept hotel in Sierra County. In 1857 they went to Lassen County, engaged in farming and stock-raising, and remained there until 1868, when they came to Ventura County and located on 320 acres of land, where the Arnold brothers now reside. After finding that it was not Government land they bought the property, and later added 900 acres more. It is a splendid tract of land, three miles east of Hueneme. The brothers have bought and sold among themselves, and Leroy Arnold now owns 160 acres of it. He has improved this by building, tree-planting, etc. He has an artesian well, with seven and a half pipe, in which the water rises sixteen feet above the level of the ground. He has remodeled the house, built the barns, and, under his judicious management, the place presents an attractive appearance.
Mr. Arnold was married September 19, 1875, to Miss Carrie F. Hill, a native of Indiana, and daughter of William Hill. They have had seven children, all natives of the Golden State, and all living, viz.: Effie F. is the wife of A.D. Smith, and resides in San Buenaventura; Mary L. married S. G. Sheppard, and resides at Hueneme; and the following are at home with their parents, - Martha E., Oliver B., Royston C., Alton E., and Ida L. Mr. Arnold is a Master Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics, he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 578 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Matthew H. Arnold
Matthew H. Arnold is a prominent rancher of Ventura County, and a pioneer of California. A brief sketch of his life is as follows: He was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, February 16, 1844. His father, Cullar Arnold, is a native of Ohio, born in 1818; has been a pioneer of California since 1849, and is now a resident of Orange, Orange, County. The ancestors of the Arnold family came from Connecticut and Vermont. The grandfather's name was Nathan Arnold, and grandmother's name on father's side was Cutler. His mother's name was Hough. She was born in New York State, of ancestors who were from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Burage Hough was her father's name and Alexander her mother's name. Cullar Arnold had nine children, of whom eight are living in California. Mr. Arnold, whose name heads this sketch, received his education in the public schools and at Oakland College, California, and, since leaving school, his time has been principally devoted to agricultural pursuits. He came to California in 1852, and to Ventura County in November, 1868, and his present location December, 1878. In November, 1869, they settled on what they supposed was Government land; but, on finding their mistake, his father and two of the sons bought 480 acres, and afterward 160 acres more. Matthew H. purchased 320 acres, and to it has since added eighty acres. The first purchase was at $10.50 per acres and the last at $8.50. This land is now worth from $100 to $125 per acre. Mr. Arnold's principal crop has been barley, but the land is well adapted to the cultivation of other grains, and without irrigation. He derives a good income from the hogs, Poland-China and Berkshire, kept on this place.
In 1877 Mr. Arnold wedded Miss Eliza Perkins, a native of Maine, daughter of T. E. Perkins, now of Los Angeles County. They have four children, all born at their present home: Ralph, Chester, Jo and Alice. In politics Mr. Arnold is a Republican. He was elected School Trustee when the district was formed, and held the office twelve years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
When Mr. Arnold came to this ranch it was a wilderness of mustard, and there were only three or four board houses between there and the river, a distance of six miles. Since that time the settlement has been rapid and the improvement wonderful. The people who had faith in the future of the county and the courage to settle in it then, are now amply repaid.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 329 Transcribed by Sandy Neder