Obituary for Francis S. Arnold

June 1, 1937

Source: The Bemidji Daily Pioneer

Francis S. Arnold, 70, a resident of Bemidji since 1900, passed away at the Bemidji Lutheran Hospital at 4:45 Monday afternoon, May 31, after an extended illness.

He had been confined to the hospital for the past 18 weeks following a light stroke at his home. Despite his months of illness, Mr. Arnold never complained and in fact was declared a model patient by hospital attendants. He passed away peacefully late Monday after lapses of consciousness which were first apparent Sunday.

Funeral services are to be held at the M.E. Ibertson Funeral home at 10 am Thursday morning with Rev. Lester P. Warford, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood cemetery.

Surviving Mr. Arnold are his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Arnold and a daughter, Miss Hazel Arnold, residing at the family residence where the Arnolds had made their home since 1907. Two sisters also survive, Mrs. Josephine Rich and Mrs. Florence Arnold, both of Washington D.C. The latter is an invalid as a result of a fall two years ago and the former is caring for her, so neither will be able to attend the funeral services.

Mr. Arnold was born March 1, 1867 in Washington D.C. where he attended school, graduating from the law school of Georgetown University in 1892. He was a member of the bar in the District of Columbia and was associated with the U.S. Court of Claims and the U.S. Court of Prior Land Claims for a number of years, during which time he served as a government representative in Cuba for about a year. He continued a successful law practice in Washington until 1900 when he came to Bemidji and entered a law partnership with the late L.H. Bailey under the firm name of Bailey and Arnold.

For a number of years he was engaged in the abstract business with the Beltrami County Abstract Co., dealing mostly in title work and was well known among the court house employees as a 'walking dictionary,' being conversant on current events as well as matters of law and title.

Because of illness he retired from active work 3 years ago last May but continued reasonably active about his home at times when his health permitted until suffering a light stroke a little over 4 months ago which confined him to the hospital until his death.

Mr. Arnold belonged to few organizations outside of the bar association but was active in civic affairs and politics during the earlier days although never seeking office or honors for himself.

Being of a retiring nature, he spent much of his spare time in reading and was an exceptionally well versed conversationalist.

Mrs. Arnold was formerly Miss Elizabeth M. Ridenour of Bemidji, who was united in marriage to Mr. Arnold January 10, 1905 in Minneapolis where she was then employed.

She and her daughter Hazel have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community during their bereavement.