from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)----pages 691-693
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. This everyday life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement. The fact having been recognized early in life by the subject of this sketch, he has seized the opportunities that he encountered on the rugged hill that leads to life's lofy summit where lies the ultimate goal of success, never attained by the weak, ambitionless and inactive. Mr. Arnold is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise in Hendricks County, Indiana, with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success, and in such a man there is particular satisfaction in offering in his life history justification for the compilation of works of this character—not necessarily that the careers of men of Mr. Arnold's type have been such as to gain them wide reputation or the admiring plaudits of men, but they have been true to the trusts reposed in them, have shown such attributes of character as entitled them to the regard of all and have been useful each in his respective sphere of action, while at the same time he has won and retained the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact as a result of his industrious and upright career.
William Henry Arnold was born on September 15, 1852, in Putnam County, this state, the son of Richard and Levina (Potts) Arnold, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and came to Harrison County, this state, with his parents, Richard, Sr., and Rebecca Arnold, being but five years of age at that time. Richard, Sr., was born in Kentucky on March 15, 1765, and Rebecca was born in the same state in July, 1773. Their marriage took place in 1790 and Richard, Jr., was born August 1, 1805. He grew to manhood in Harrison County, this state, and was there married on November 10, 1825, to Levina Potts. His life-long vocation was that of farming and at an early date in the history of this section he came to this county, settling on what is now known as the old Bowen farm. Here he probably entered about a quarter section of government land. He was a hard working man and cleared up his land, nicely fencing it and preparing it for cultivation. He remained on this farm for several years and then sold out and moved to Arkansas. He made the trip overland in a covered wagon, but so disappointed was he with the prospects upon arriving there that he did not even unload his wagon, but after a short rest started back to the good old Hoosier state. He went to Putnam County, where he obtained a farm and where he remained for several years and reared his family. He later disposed of this property and returned to this county, taking up his residence in Franklin Township. Near the close of his life he retired from active farm work and went to Stilesville to live, his death occurring there. Levina Potts, his wife, who was a Kentuckian by birth, also died at their home in Stilesville. They were the parents of fifteen children, Jacob, Beckie, Margaret, Nancy, Maria, Rebecca, Richard, Malinda, John, Vina Ann, Columbus, and an infant, all deceased. These living, besides the subject, are George and Alonzo.
William Henry Arnold spent his boyhood days in this county, coming with his parents from Putnam County when fourteen years of age. When a youth he attended the early schools of the township, acquiring the best education the opportunities of that day afforded in this community. On September 22, 1876, he was united in marriage with Sarah Cosner, daughter of John and Louisa (Rolla) Cosner. She is a native of this county, having been born in Stilesville. John Cosner was a native of North Carolina, born there on May 9, 1822, and died at Stilesville on January 31, 1893. He was a farmer all his life, a man of excellent character and ability. He was twice married, his first wife being Eliza Wicker, to whom he was united in marriage in 1846. Her death occurred on November 1, 1848, and she left one child, a son, Alfred. In 1851 John Cosner was again married, this time to Louisa Rolla, and by this marriage became the father of six children. Besides Sarah, wife of the subject of this sketch, there are Miranda, Elizabeth, Leander, Lafayette and Margaret. Louisa (Rolla) Cosner was a native of Ohio, born February 16, 1834, and died at Stilesville, this state, on October 24, 1883. To the subject and his wife have been born three children, Glenn, Earle and Irvin. All his life Mr. Arnold has been engaged in farming and kindred pursuits. Shortly after his marriage he came to reside on his present farm, containing one hundred and sixty acres. He is one of the best farmers of the county, progressive in all his methods. He is thorough and systematic in his work, makes a careful study of his soil and determines by scientific methods what it is best adapted for and then proceeds to carry oout his theories with energy and ability. The soil with which he has to deal is exceptionally fine and for the last five years he has put a great deal of thought and labor on the nursery business, devoting particular attention to fruit trees, etc. He is the originator of an excellent pear known as the “Arnold” pear, which has acquired a wide reputation and is highly advertised by nurserymen. Mr. Arnold has been highly complimented on his success in this lien of endeavor by men who have devoted a life of study and experiment to the same line. In addition to this line of work, he has considerable reputation as a raiser and breeder of cattle and at all times feeds considerable stock. He is an eminently successful man and has won his enviable position through tireless endeavor and well directed energy. He is a great reader, a deep thinker, a thoroughly sound and sane man and, as may be expected, is a delightful companion.
Mr. Arnold's political affiliation is with the Democratic Party in the affairs of which he takes a quiet, though keen, interest. He is too busy with his own affairs to desire public office of any sort, but at one time was induced to serve as township supervisor, which place he held for four years. Mrs. Arnold is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church at Stilesville, and while Mr. Arnold is not connected with any church society, he is interested in the progress of all. The family is one of the best known and most highly respected in the county, with a strong influence for right in all phases of life. Mr. Arnold can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what he has accomplished, for he started in life with practically nothing, but is now one of the substantial men of his community as a result of his close application to business and his persistency. He has a host of friends, for his life has been honorable in every respect.