Bio: Arnold, Ralph E. (1914)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

----Surnames: Arnold, Kress, Light, Palmer, Levy

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 637-638

Ralph E. Arnold, the popular druggist and postmaster of Fairchild, Eau Claire county, Wis., was born at Corning, N. Y., December 1, 1844, the son of William J. and Harriet N. (Kress) Arnold. His paternal grandfather, Asa Arnold, was born in Smithfield, R. I., February 3, 1770, and his wife, Patience, grandmother of our subject, was born in the same town September 14, 1788. They were the parents of ten children, one of whom, William J., father of our subject, was born August 14, 1810, at Smithfield, R. I. He was educated in his native town and at Providence, finishing with an academic course. He married October 26, 1841, Harriet N., daughter of John K. and Catherine (Light) Kress, of Pennsylvania, and by her had three sons, all of whom were born at Coming, N. Y., viz: John K., Ralph E., and William F. The father came west and in 1857 settled at Wabasha, Minn., where he superintended the lumber and logging business of H. S. Allen & Co., of Chippewa Falls, Wis., of which company he was a member and its treasurer. He served as a member of the first legislature of that state and assisted in framing the charter of the State of Minnesota. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster of Wabasha, Minn., and served in that capacity eight years. In 1886 he moved to Wilson, Wis., where he died March 2, 1889.

Ralph E. attended the public schools at Corning. N. Y., and came to Minnesota with his parents and there finished his education, taking an academic and business course, and also studied pharmacy. In 1864 he located at Wilson, Wis., and in 1876 became connected with the West Wisconsin Manufacturing Company as treasurer of the concern. In 1888 he moved to Fairchild, Wis., and purchased the drug business of the late B. O. Palmer, in which he has since been successfully engaged. In 1897 he married Mary S., daughter of John Levy, of Oshkosh, and has one son — Ralph Levy. In religious belief Mr. Arnold is an Episcopalian, while his wife is a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. A Republican in politics, Mr. Arnold has been many times honored by the citizens of his community. He has held the office of town clerk and supervisor of the town of Fairchild. He has also served as president, treasurer and clerk of the Village of Fairchild, and has continuously held the office of postmaster since 1898.