JAMES MADISON ABBOTT, a resident of Golconda, was one of the noble army of citizen-soldiers who did such grand service for the Union during the late war, and to which he devoted the opening years of manhood, sacrificing health, which is dearer than life itself, for his country. He was born in Lynchburgh, Tenn., April 23, 1813. His father, James M. Abbott, who was also a solder in the late war and died while fighting for the Stars and Stripes, was born in North Carolina in 1814, (sic must be an error in year), and was a son of Sterling Abbott, who was a native of the same State, whence he removed to Tennessee and cast in his lot with its pioneers. he selected a tract of Government land near Lynchburgh, and on the farm that he reclaimed from the wilderness he died during the late war at a ripe old age. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan Merrill, and was likewise a native of North Carolina. Her father, Evans Merrill, is thought to have been born in Pennsylvania and was a Revolutionary solder. After that war he settled in North Carolina and died there. The grandmother of our subject died on the home farm in Tennessee.

Transcribed to ASCII Text format by Lyman S. Devin (asper@thuntek.net) - July 1997 Transcriber's Comments: This appears to be a vanity type of publication with most of the information provided by the "reviewed person". The narrative was probably based on either the completion of a form by the reviewed person or brief interview, recorded to a standard format. The basis for this conclusion is the redundant information and the manner of presentation. The genealogical information in this biography is rich and valuable. The personal touches indicate the information could have only come directly from James R. Steagall. No changes were made in this narrative.

Extract begins on page 334 and continues on page 335 Portrait and Biographical Review.

MRS. MARTHA ARNOLD, widow of Andrew J. Arnold, controls and manages the farm on section 9, Vienna Township, of which she is joint owner with her mother, and is an intelligent factor in promoting the agricultural interests of Johnson County. She was born in England, March 19, 1845, and accompanied her father to this country when a young girl, her mother following them in April 1861

Mr. Smith, our subject's father, had worked in a woolen factor in the Old country, and was poor when he came here. He was, however, industrious and thrifty, and was prospered as a farmer, which calling he adopted after coming to the United States, and at his death left a comfortable property, the old homestead upon which his last years were passed falling to this wife and daughter Martha. Mrs. Smith married again after the death of her husband, becoming the wife of Thomas Goddard, and is now a resident of Du Quoin. She is the mother of three children by her first marriage: Martha; Emma, wife of John Miller, of Hamilton County; and Clara, wife of R. M. King, of Vienna.

Our subject was married July 10, 1865, to Andrew Jackson Arnold, and her wifely devotion to his interests contributed much to his success in life. Mr. Arnold was born in Kentucky, March 13, 1838. His father was Elijah Arnold, who was a native of North Carolina, whence he went to Henderson County, Ky., where he engaged in farming until his demise. Our subject's husband had to work hard when a boy, as did all farmers' sons brought up under pioneer restrictions, and only had an occasional chance to attend school. In January, 1854, when he was nearly sixteen years old, he started out in the world to see Fortune's favors, setting out in the world to seek Fortune's favors, setting out on his momentous journey on foot, with a light purse, but with the steadfast intention of making the best of his life. He at length arrived in northern Illinois, found employment on a farm, went to work with a will, and was thus engaged when the war broke out. He was then in the full flush and vigor of the opening years of a promising manhood, and as he was imbued with the ardetn patriotism that characterizes every loyal citizen, while doing his duty at home he watched teh course of the rebellion with intense interest, and was ready when more men were needed at the front to volunteer his services, enlisting in Company D, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in August, 1862. He took part in a number of engagements, including the hotly contested battle of Stone River. His naturally strong constitution broke down under the ravages of army life, and he was remanded to the hospital, but did not rally so as to be fit for further service, and accordingly was honorably discharged at Indianapolis.

After his retirement from the service Mr. Arnold went to work again at farming, still desirous to make a home for himself. In 1870 he came to Johnson County, and for a number of years rented a place for agricultrual purposes, and also engaged in the grocery trade at Vienna for a time, living in the village about five years. He bought some land in Bloomfield Township, which was subsequently sold. After his army service he had never regained his former strength and health, an insidious disease, contracted while he was in the South, finally cuasing his death. His last years were spent on the farm in Vienna Township on which his family is living. He devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, conducting his operations with good financial success, showing himself to be a sagacious, capable farmer, with a clear understand of his vocation in all its branches. When scarely past the prime of life his labors were brought to an end by death, January 11, 1887, and the township was thus deprived of one of its worthiest citizens, one who had been true to himself and others in every relation - in his family a kind and considerate father; to his neighbors friendly and obliging; and always faithful in the discharge of the duties of citizenship. His burial, which took place in Odd Fellows' Cemetery, was conducted with due solemnity.

Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, namely: Mary Ellen, at home with her mother; Joshua, who is married and lives at Anna; Martha Elizabeth, who also resides at home; Rufus Monroe, who died in Viennta, September 181, 1875; Emma Edith, who died July 26, 1870; and George, at home with his mother.Since her husband's death Mrs. Arnold has taken entire charge of the farm, which comprises eighty acres of exceedingly fertile land, and under her energetic and clear-sighted management it is made to yield to the utmost, and good order prevails on every side. She display excellent qualifications as a farmer, and is a business woman of more than ordinary capacity. She and her family have a pleasant home, over which she rules as a wise mother. She has her children's interests at heart and is giving them the best educational advantages that she can afford.

Send updates for Pope County Biography Abstracts to County Coordinator