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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of the Old Town of Derby,
Connecticut, 1642 - 1880
with Biographies and Genealogies
by
Samuel Orcutt & Ambrose Beardsley, M. D. -
Publ. Press of
Springfield Printing Company, Springfield, Mass.
1880
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JOSEPH
ARNOLD
was born at Hadham, Middlesex county, Conn., Sep. 16, 1811.
He descended from Joseph Arnold and Daniel Brainard, two of
the original twenty-eight who settled the town of Haddam.
Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was son of Jared
and Susan (Brainard) Arnold; received his education at the
common and high schools of his native town; made a sea
voyage with his father when only fourteen years of age; was
placed as clerk in a county store when fifteen, and at
nineteen opened a dry goods store in Middletown in company
with the old firm of Pease and Hayden. The next year he
bought out the other partners; took another partner, and
added the clothing business under the name of Arnold and
Buckingham. Their business was highly prosperous until
1838, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Arnold
remaining at the old store and Mr. Buckingham going to
Portland, Me.
Finding himself threatened with serious pulmonary difficulty
in 1844, Mr. Arnold sold his business at Middletown and
spent the next four winters in the West Indies, the Southern
states and New York city.
His health being restored he accepted a position in the
American Exchange Bank, New York city, but a few months
after, being elected cashier of the Meriden Bank at Meriden,
Conn., he removed to that place in 1849. In 1853 he was
elected cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank of Birmingham,
which was reorganized in 1865 as the Birmingham National
Bank. This office he accepted, and from that day to this
has retained it with great credit to himself and
satisfaction to the company and community.
In 1841 he married an estimable lady, Mary L., daughter
of Hon. Noah A. Phelps. She died in 1851.
Mr. Arnold may be classed among the self-made men.
Being little aided by his primary education, but possessing
an active, vigorous mind, which he has well stored with
useful knowledge by reading, he has, by his own exertions,
worked out thus far his successful career in life. In
addition to his present responsible position in the bank he
has occupied others, such as treasurer of school district,
borough and town, and for a long time has been president of
the Derby Savings Bank, the people having never found him
confidence misplaced. In his habits he is a model for
imitation. Strictly temperate in all things, although
physically infirm, he has been his own physician, discarding
generally all drug medication. For twenty-six years he has
scarcely been absent a day from his post of duty in the
bank. Independent in his principles, circumspect in his
daily walk, liberal without ostentation, faithful to his
word in financial dealings with all persons, he has won for
himself a most enviable reputation.
(Source: History of the Old Town of Derby,
Connecticut, 1642 - 1880 with Biographies and Genealogies by
Samuel Orcutt & Ambrose Beardsley, M. D. - Publ. Press of
Springfield Printing Company, Springfield, Mass.
1880.) |
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