Daniel Webster Arnold was born to Daniel Arnold (1st), age 34, and Susan Elisabeth Suttles, age 24, in Adams County, Indiana, USA on Saturday, April 14, 1849.
On April 10, 1930 it was reported that Daniel W. Arnold was born in Indiana.
Source: Entry for his son, Daniel S. Arnold. 1930 Census [1930-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 10-17, Sheet 2B]
Who is Daniel to you? The following is not a complete list of relatives/descendants, but if you recognize any of these names, it may help you answer that question.
- Father of Daniel Simon Arnold.
- Grandfather of Laban Daniel Arnold and Alvin Ernest Arnold.
- Great grandfather of Joyce, Dan, Gloria, Mike, Valerie, Teresa, Sally, Carol, and Roger.
- 2nd great grandfather to Kelly Jean, David Michael, David Daniel, Steven Michael, Gina Joy, Kristen Marie, Bradley Jay, Joseph Michael, Matthew Allen, Daniel Scott, Jennifer Lynn, Jaysson Solomon-Elijah, Job Gabriel-Elisha, Sarah Kaylynn, Kandy Kay, Randy William, Scott Anthony, Joy Ann, Beth Ann, and Anne Marie.
- 3nd great grandfather to Danielle Rose, Dutch Reese, William Henry, Nolan Anthony, Nickolas Anthony, Sydney Kay, Wyatt Anthony, Kari Nikole, Kali Ryann, Brett Mikalary, Samantha Marie, Spencer Jay, Megan Armenia, Dominic Daniel, Tristen Jay, Zachary Todd, Kayla, and 20+ young folks.
- 4th great grandfather to other young folks.
1840’s
When Daniel was born, he already had a nearly three year-old brother, Simon Samuel Arnold who was born on May 28, 1846.
1850’s
When Daniel was nearly two he was joined by a sister, Elisabeth Arnold who was born June 7, 1851.
Three years later he was joined by another sister, Mary Arnold on March 15, 1854.
In another three years, when he was eight, a final sister, Sarah Emeline Arnold was born October 27, 1857.
1860’s
Four years later, on December 20, 1861, brother George Thomas Arnold joined the family.
About four years later, sometime around 1865, when Daniel Webster was around 16, his father Daniel passed away. Sometime in the next three years his mother married Samuel Elijah Cooley, and gave birth to Daniel’s half-brother Samuel Otis Cooley on November 30, 1868 when Daniel was 19.
1870’s
By June of 1870, Daniel Webster Arnold was living in Almira, Benzie County, Michigan and was employed as a general laborer. [1870-US-Census]
Daniel was 24 years old when he married 17-year-old Hannah L. Pettis in Almira, Benzie County, Michigan, USA on May 12, 1873.
Children of Daniel and Hannah include:
- Lillian Francis Arnold 1875–1946 (71)
- Bertin Daniel Arnold 1879–1922 (43)
- Daisy Mae Arnold 1883–1952 (69)
- Daniel Simon Arnold 1890–1974 (83)
- Lottie Mildred Arnold 1897–1918 (21)
Lillian Francis Arnold was born to Hannah (19) and Daniel (25) in Almira on March 7, 1875.
Bertin Daniel Arnold was born to Hannah (23) and Daniel (29) in Frankfort on January 17, 1879.
1880’s
Daisy Mae Arnold was born to Hannah (28) and Daniel (34) in Frankfort on December 23, 1883.
1890’s
Daniel Simon Arnold was born to Hannah (35) and Daniel (41) in Blaine on December 22, 1890. Daniel was a farmer at the time. [Son DSA’s Birth Certificate]
Lottie Mildred Arnold was born to Hannah (42) and Daniel (48) on October 5, 1897.
1900’s
On June 5, 1900 it was reported that Daniel (Census-Name: Daniel Arnold), 51 years of age, was born in Indiana and currently lived in a home they owned without a mortgage in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. His mother and father were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. He was the head of a household of 4, was married with 5 children, all still living, and worked as a “farmer”. Daniel was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. The 1900 census, unlike others, provides month and date-of-birth, in addition to age. Daniel is reported as being born in April of 1849. Based on the age of 51 given to the census official, his birth year is 1848/1849. Given that approximate birth year and the given “years married”, his marriage took place within a couple years of 1872.
Source: 1900 Census [1900-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 8, Sheet 2A]
Daniel and Hannah bought 40 acres of land on Fowler Road in Platte Township from J. M. & M. E. Thurston for $50 in December of 1900. Terms of the indenture/mortgage specified $25 to be paid after one year, and $25 to be paid after two years. Interest rate of seven percent per annum. The land was described as the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 9 of T27N R14W.
We have a plat map of this area from 1915. By then, this parcel was split into three pieces. Daniel Webster retained the easternmost 20, the westernmost 10 was sold off, and Daniel Simon owned the middle 10. Daniel Simon later owned the full 30, and then sold the westernmost 10 of that. What his grandchildren remember as the “Arnold Homestead” (11434 Fowler Road) is within the easternmost half of Daniel Webster’s original 40 acres.
The property description for the current owner (as of 2021) is E 1/2 OF SE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 EXC W 132 FT OF S 330 FT & E 264 FT OF S 330 FT SEC 9 T27N R14W. As you can see from the bolded portion of this description, it starts out with the easternmost half of Daniel Webster’s original 40 acres. The remainder of the description carves out a couple of roadside lot exclusions – leaving 16.7 of the 20 acres.
In case you’re curious, the T27N R14W in the property description refers to a survey township – a six by six square mile area, not to be confused with a civil township such as Platte, though they often coincide. In this case, the 27th survey township north of the state baseline and the 14th west of the state meridian line. The Michigan baseline is a line that extends East/West along the southern border of Ingham county, and the meridian extends North/South through the center of Ingham county.
Daniel’s mother Elisabeth died in February of 1908 at the age of 82 when Daniel was 58 years old.
1910’s
We have a picture of Daniel working in a lumber camp in Wisconsin, circa 1910. His 5th great grandfather, Richard Arnold, was probably the first Arnold in the lumber business in America.
On May 2, 1910 it was reported that Daniel (Census-Name: Daniel Arnold), 61 years of age, was born in Ohio and currently lived on a farm they owned without a mortgage in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. His mother and father were born in Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. He was the head of a household of 4, was married with 5 children, all still living, and worked as a “farmer”. Daniel was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. Based on the age given to the census official, his birth year is 1848/1849. Given that approximate birth year and the given “years married”, that marriage took place within a couple years of 1873.
Source: 1910 Census [1910-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 10, Sheet 5A]
In November of 1918 Daniel lost his 21-year-old daughter Lottie to the flu when he was 69.
1920’s
On January 2, 1920 it was reported that Daniel (Census-Name: Daniel Arnold), 70 years of age, was born in Indiana and currently lived in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. His mother and father were born in Virginia and Ohio, respectively. He was the head of a household of 2, was married, and worked as a “laborer on public roads”. Daniel was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. Based on the age given to the census official, his birth year is 1849/1850.
Source: 1920 Census [1920-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 11, Sheet 1A]
I remember my grandfather and grandmother (on dad’s side) quite well. About 1920 their house burned to the ground and a few days later my dad’s mother (Hannah Pettis Arnold) had a stroke.
Alvin E. Arnold Memoirs
Daniel mourned the passing of his older brother, Simon, and his son, Bert, in 1922.
His wife of 51 years, Hannah, passed in January of 1925, and his half-brother Samuel died in 1928.
I remember her [after her stroke] sitting in a rocking chair and she was able to slide herself across the wood floor. The rockers were worn so there was a flat area that prevented rocking. She was very frail. I realize now that my grandfather had a tremendous task at hand, since she lived until January 22, 1925.
Grandfather lived alone for a while. We lived about a block away on the same 40-acre farmland. I remember going to see him often; he liked us kids. I say kids because my brother Allen came along in July of 1921.
Grandfather had a pony that he gave us rides on and he always had a some kind of coin for us.
My grandfather Arnold died in 1928. It was a great loss to me. I loved him.
Alvin E. Arnold Memoirs
Daniel passed away of “myocarditis (unreadable) with contributory nephritis” in Platte Township, Benzie County, Michigan on Thursday, July 5, 1928 at the age of 79. He was buried in Platte cemetery on July 8, 1928.
Daniel is listed on his death certificate as Daniel Webster Arnold, a white, male, widower, farmer, from Indiana, born to Daniel Arnold of Pennsylvania, and Susan Suttles of Pennsylvania; informed by Daniel Arnold, Jr. of Honor, MI.
From the local newspaper:
Daniel W. Arnold age 75 died last Thursday, July 5th at his home in Platte Township. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home and interment at Platte cemetery with Rev Mr. Merriman officiating.
Two daughters, Mrs. Joe Harwood of Platte, and Mrs. Prouse [sic, Krause] of Iron Mountain and one son, Daniel Arnold, Jr. and one brother of Blaine township survive Mr. Arnold.
Benzie Record, Daniel W. Arnold
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