History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, and Dent Counties - 1889 - by Goodspeed Publishing Co.
Dr. W. L. Arnot, merchant and farmer of Dent County, Missouri, was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1830 and is a son of Holbert and Elizabeth (Kirkpatrick) Arnot, both of whom were born in the "Old Dominion." The former was born about 1790 and died about 1845, in Jefferson County, Tenn., being of Scotch-Irish descent and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Arnot was born about 1795, and died about 1842. Eight of their ten children grew to Maturity, Dr. W. L. Arnot being the fifth of the family. After his parents' death he went to North Caroline, where he made his home with a sister for three years, and then returned to Tennessee and worked at the cabinet trade for a short time, but owing to ill health was obliged to give up this trade. He then entered Tuscalum College, and at the end of one year was transferred to Hiwassee College, which institution he attended three years. The following three years were spent in reading medicine under Dr. Drake, of St. Clair, Tenn., and after passing examination under the medical board of that place he was given a diploma. He then moved to Cole County, Missouri, and the first year taught school and practiced his profession, but shortly after gave all his attention to the latter occupation, and became one of the leading physicians of the county. In 1864 he was arrested on a charge of being disloyal to the government, and was taken to St. Louis for trial, and was sentenced to the military prison at Alton, Illinois, for five years at hard labor. He was there from May until November, and was then sent to Polk Island, Illinois, to take charge of the hospital as physician, and there remained until February of the next year, when he succeeded in making his escape (one of the most remarkable as well as notable incidents of the war) and went to Macoupin County, Illinois, where he enlisted in the Union army, and was mustered in at Jacksonville. He served in Company G, twenty-eighty Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteers and at the close of the war was sent to the Rio Grand River with the Thirteenth Army Corps, being mustered out of the service at Brownsville, Texas, May 9, 1866. He then returned to Dent County, Mo., and resumed the practice of his profession and teaching school, following the latter occupation two terms in the town of Salem. he also sold drugs and practiced his profession in Dent County until 1871, when he sold out and purchased his present farm. From that date until 1876 he practiced medicine in Arkansas, but at the latter date he and family moved to the farm, and he has since given the most of his attention to farming, stock raising and merchandising. His farm consists of 480 acres, with 130 under cultivation, and is well improved, with a two-story frame dwelling, and besides this he has two 120 acre farms and 40 acres in another. September 23, 1877, he was married to Lucy J. Brigman, who was born in Dent County, Missouri, in 1846, and is a daughter of Edmond and Nancy Brigman. They have three children. Dr. Arnot is a Republican and is a member of the Second Advent Church.∼W. L. Arnott

Died at his home near Joy post office Monday evening about 5 o’clock. Mr. W. L. Arnott father of Kirby Arnott, of this City, at the ripe old age of 78 years. The funeral services were held at the family home, conducted by Rev. C. Bradford, Wednesday afternoon and the remains were laid to rest in the Johnson Cemetery. Next week we will publish an obituary of Grandpa Arnott.

Source: The Licking News
Published: March 19, 1909
Typed From Microfilm By: K. Nelson

Note: The full obituary did not appear in the Licking News.