Womelsdorf, Dec. 15 (Special). - William Arnold, Sr., a Civil War veteran with a splendid record and the oldest undertaker in Berks County, if not Pennsylvania, died of general debility at 10 a. m. today at his home on East High Street, this borough. His age was 91 years, 1 month and 13 days. Deceased had been failing for about a year and bedfast a few days. He was born in Womelsdorf Nov 2, 1822, and attended the local schools for a limited period. His teachers were Walter Stevens and Francis Vessel, both of Ireland. He learned cabinet-making and undertaking with Samuel Burkholder, of Stouchsburg. In 1860 he began business for himself in Womelsdorf and, with the exception of the time spent in war, he continued the business uninterruptedly until 1896, when his son, Fred. D., took charge. The elder Mr. Arnold buried more than 1,700 people. In 1862 deceased enlisted as a member of Company D, 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served throughout the war. He was twice wounded in the right arm in the battle of Duvall's Bluff. Later he was wounded in the side. He was foreman of the carpenters at Beaufort, S. C., for 18 months, having charge of 30 men. He was mustered out at Richmond, Va., at the close of the war. In 1867, he married to Lizzie, daughter of Francis and Annie (Reinhart) Stettler, of England. The wedding took place in Pottstown. The couple resided in Bernville for a short time. They had six children, of whom the following survive, besdies the widow: Eva Ann, widow of Samuel Kurtz, this place; Mrs. Mary Catharine Fausnacht, Lebanon; William E. and Fred D., this place. Deceased was a member of Zion's Lutheran congregation of this place. Funeral Friday, Dec. 19, at 1:30 p. m. The services will be held at the house. Interment in Zion's Church Cemetery. Rev. D. K. Laudenslager, will officiate. [Reading Eagle, Monday, December 15, 1913, Page 9]
Womelsdorf, Dec. 15 (Special). - William Arnold, Sr., a Civil War veteran with a splendid record and the oldest undertaker in Berks County, if not Pennsylvania, died of general debility at 10 a. m. today at his home on East High Street, this borough. His age was 91 years, 1 month and 13 days. Deceased had been failing for about a year and bedfast a few days. He was born in Womelsdorf Nov 2, 1822, and attended the local schools for a limited period. His teachers were Walter Stevens and Francis Vessel, both of Ireland. He learned cabinet-making and undertaking with Samuel Burkholder, of Stouchsburg. In 1860 he began business for himself in Womelsdorf and, with the exception of the time spent in war, he continued the business uninterruptedly until 1896, when his son, Fred. D., took charge. The elder Mr. Arnold buried more than 1,700 people. In 1862 deceased enlisted as a member of Company D, 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served throughout the war. He was twice wounded in the right arm in the battle of Duvall's Bluff. Later he was wounded in the side. He was foreman of the carpenters at Beaufort, S. C., for 18 months, having charge of 30 men. He was mustered out at Richmond, Va., at the close of the war. In 1867, he married to Lizzie, daughter of Francis and Annie (Reinhart) Stettler, of England. The wedding took place in Pottstown. The couple resided in Bernville for a short time. They had six children, of whom the following survive, besdies the widow: Eva Ann, widow of Samuel Kurtz, this place; Mrs. Mary Catharine Fausnacht, Lebanon; William E. and Fred D., this place. Deceased was a member of Zion's Lutheran congregation of this place. Funeral Friday, Dec. 19, at 1:30 p. m. The services will be held at the house. Interment in Zion's Church Cemetery. Rev. D. K. Laudenslager, will officiate. [Reading Eagle, Monday, December 15, 1913, Page 9]
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