Family Information for John Greer Arnold and Henrietta I. Patty

Contributed by Sharon McKeen

John Greer Arnold is my great-great grandfather. My Aunt Ruby was raised by her paternal grandparents and as a young child lived next door to her great grandfather, John Greer Arnold. She has been the keeper of the family history. However, she and other family members knew very little about this man. Even on his death certificate his parents are listed as unknown by the family. The information I have is a combination of her records and my own research.

John Greer Arnold was born January 11, 1847 in Indiana and died January 29, 1935 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio while visiting family. He was buried in Boggstown, Shelby County, Indiana.

John married Henrietta I. Patty on April 5, 1870 in Brown County, Indiana and they had six children:

1. Charles William b. 3-26-1871, Marion County Indiana, d. 2-5-1948, Shelby County Indiana, m. Lillie Gertrude Patterson
2. Bert E. b. 11-18-1872 Indiana
3. Harry O. b. 5-9-1875 Indiana
4. Johnie H. b. 10-18-1878 Indiana d. 2-14-1879
5. Rollie L. b. 6-13-1882 Indiana
6. Jessie M. b. 2-3-1890 Indiana d. 11-14-1918

The only clue to John's parents are in the US censuses. In 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 & 1930 John & Henrietta are living in Sugar Creek Township, Shelby County, Indiana. He consistently states that he was born in Indiana, his father was born in Kentucky & his mother was born in Maryland. In the 1870 census John & Henrietta are living in the 8th ward Indianpolis, Marion County, Indiana. The census date was 25th of July, 1870. They had only been married 2 months & the census states they were married in April.

When I've done searches for a John or John G Arnold with parents from Kentucky & Maryland in Indiana in 1850, the only match I have is a family in Marion County Indiana. Based on circumstantial evidence I believe John's father is Willis Arnold b. 1820-1826. I will try to add more info under Willis Arnold's name.