Early
Memories of
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company;
GEORGE T.
ARNOLD
Born in Allegan county
on a farm near Plainwell, July 12, 1846, George Thomas Arnold was the son of
Dan and Betsy (Foster) Arnold, both of whom were natives of Vermont, whence
they journeyed to Michigan by covered wagon and ox-team and entered government
land near Plainwell where they reared a large family and on this farm George T.
grew to young manhood and in 1860 he and his brother, Levi, bought the
homestead, and for several years managed the farm, later selling it back to the
heirs. He then came to Saugatuck, kept books for the mills and later secured a
position in the Stockbridge and Johnson stores and was appointed post-master,
which office he continued six years.
In 1863 his sister,
Betsey Arnold, was married to F. B. Stockbridge who lived in
Mr. Arnold was married
to Miss Susan Breuckman, daughter of a pioneer, and
the two families were deeply interested in the building of the Episcopal church.
Later Mr. Arnold was a
promoter of the fishing business at Mackinac Island, being in the firm of
Coates and Arnold; this paved the way for an extensive shipping and boat
industry and he became the owner of several boats plying from the Island and
St. Ignace to many lake ports. He died in '1921 and
was buried at Saugatuck, the place where he began his successful career.