John J. Arndt

John J. Arndt, one of the first settlers and most widely known citizens of Osceola Township, is a resident on section 23, and is the proprietor of 260 acres of land. He was born Oct. 21, 1824, in Prussia. He was a pupil in the schools of his native country until he set out alone without money to make his way to America. He shipped on a sailing vessel as a deck hand, and worked his passage, which consumed eight weeks. This was in 1837, and he landed at the port of New York. He proceeded soon after to Waterloo, Ont., where he found occupation as a farm assistant on the estate of John Eyte, and continued in that genteleman's employment eight years.

After leaving his service he bought 100 acres of forest land in Perth County, on which he began operations in his own behalf, and placed the entire acreage uner improvements. In 1873 he sold the place and came to Osceola Township, buying 340 acres of land on section 23. He has sold 80 acres and placed nearly all the remainder under improvements. The farm is justly ranked among the most valuable in this section of the county. It is supplied with three flowing wells. He is a Republican of unmistakeable and inflexible stamp, and has held local official positions for 12 years. In 1858 he connected himself with the Evangelical Chrch, in whose interests he has been an unremitting and zealous laborer. He has discharged the duties of all its offices and has been for many years Superintendent of the Sunday school, for whose welfare he has labored untiringly.

He was first married in Perth Co., Ont., in 1849, to Barbara Riffer. She was born about 1828, in Germany, where her parents passed their entire lives. She came in youth to Perth Co., Ont., where she died Jan. 13, 1863. Of six children of whom she became the mother of three are deceased - Elizabeth, Maggie and Lizzie. Henry, Christina and Mollie survive. Mr. Arndt was a second time married in 1864, in Perth Co., Ont., to Rebecca Leibert. She was born i Ontario, of German parentage, and died in October, 1868, in Osceola Township, aged 33 years. Of her six children, two preceded her to the land of the hereafter, - William and Betsey. John, Katie, Mary and Simon are living. The wives of Mr. Arndt were both members of the Evangelical Church.

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