Biographies:  Ralph E. ARNOLD, Fairchild, Eau Claire Co., WI 

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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 Corning, 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 educaiton, 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.

--Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present",
pages 637-638.