James Arnold, was the son of Thomas Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island, a prominent member of the Society of Friends. By his birthright, he too, was a member of that religious denomination, and whatever may be thought of the peculiarities of this religious body, one fact is beyond controversy, that, in proportion to its numbers, no sect of Christians has blessed the world with a larger proportion of noble men and women who have exemplified in their lives that personal purity and devotedness to the welfare of humanity, which are the foundation of the gospel of peace and good will.
In early life Mr. Arnold gave a direction to an intellect subtle and vigorous beyond the average of his fellowman, by a careful perusal and study of -the classical literature of our language. None but those who were favored with his intimacy in the most vigorous period of his life can be aware of the extent and richness of his knowledge of our best authors, and of the keen and exhaustive appreciation of their powers and beauties with which he was endowed.
During his long and active life, Mr. Arnold felt and enjoyed the adventures of this extensive acquaintance with the best portion of English literature, and of this richness and fullness all were made partakers who were favored and of this richness and fullness.
Arnold held a 'place prominence and honor'. He was among the last of that successful and high-minded race of men who, in the last quarter of the 19th century, were the merchant princes of New Bedford.
He took his place while yet a young man, as the son-in-law of William Rotch, Jr., and as his partner in business, among those who were known throughout the mercantile world as enlightened and successful men of business; and while the success of his devotion, skill, and enterprise demonstrated his right to share with them their elevated position, no act of his ever sullied the purity of the reputation they had won.
Mr. Arnold was but little in public life. In the days when the good old plan of town meetings allowed men to be somewhat active in our town affairs, he gave a fair portion of his time to our municipal business. For a short period he was a member of the Governor's Council while the governor's chair was occupied by George N. Briggs. He filled the office of councilor with much credit and usefulness. The good governor said that at no period during his long term of office did he have more efficient assistance from any member of his council than from Mr. Arnold. His was a well-trained, well disciplined, and a well-informed mind, fitted for usefulness in any direction to which its energies were given.
No man understood better than he the obligations which rested upon him, as one who had been blessed by a bountiful Providence with ample means for the alleviation of human suffering and want.
He was a strong man, strong in means and strong in the ability to judge as to the most efficient manner of dispensing his bounties. "The cause which he knew not he searched out." Never, from his princely abode on County Street, did the stream of benevolence cease to flow. The exercise of the charities of which that was the fountain was one of the institutions of the city. Steadily, clearly, widely, always full and always overflowing, year after year the stream flowed on, diffusing throughout our city its healing, refreshing and encouraging influence. One of the special objects of his philanthropy to which he felt himself called, was to befriend and aid the colored race.
Few, if any, of this class were ever turned away unhelped. Aid has gone from his house to help many a fugitive slave on to liberty. During the days of the anti-slavery agitation and struggle he was a regular and large contributor to the funds of the anti-slavery societies. Mr. Arnold died December 3, 1868 at the age of eighty-seven years. Among other generous bequests in his will, he left in trust "the sum of $100,000 for the benefit of the poor and needy in New Bedford who may be deserving."
A wealthy whaling merchant with a keen interest in botanicals. He and his wife traveled extensively seeking plant specimens. He was known to have a very large garden at his home on County Street in New Bedford. The attached photo was his home, at 427 County Street, New Bedford Massachusetts which is today known as the Wamsutta Club.
Arnold left part of his fortune to Harvard University for the study of botanicals. This resulted in the establishment of Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Husband of Sarah Arnold from another prominent whaling family, the Rotch family.
.. His house bio taken from the New Bedford walking tour of County Street.
In early life Mr. Arnold gave a direction to an intellect subtle and vigorous beyond the average of his fellowman, by a careful perusal and study of -the classical literature of our language. None but those who were favored with his intimacy in the most vigorous period of his life can be aware of the extent and richness of his knowledge of our best authors, and of the keen and exhaustive appreciation of their powers and beauties with which he was endowed.
During his long and active life, Mr. Arnold felt and enjoyed the adventures of this extensive acquaintance with the best portion of English literature, and of this richness and fullness all were made partakers who were favored and of this richness and fullness.
Arnold held a 'place prominence and honor'. He was among the last of that successful and high-minded race of men who, in the last quarter of the 19th century, were the merchant princes of New Bedford.
He took his place while yet a young man, as the son-in-law of William Rotch, Jr., and as his partner in business, among those who were known throughout the mercantile world as enlightened and successful men of business; and while the success of his devotion, skill, and enterprise demonstrated his right to share with them their elevated position, no act of his ever sullied the purity of the reputation they had won.
Mr. Arnold was but little in public life. In the days when the good old plan of town meetings allowed men to be somewhat active in our town affairs, he gave a fair portion of his time to our municipal business. For a short period he was a member of the Governor's Council while the governor's chair was occupied by George N. Briggs. He filled the office of councilor with much credit and usefulness. The good governor said that at no period during his long term of office did he have more efficient assistance from any member of his council than from Mr. Arnold. His was a well-trained, well disciplined, and a well-informed mind, fitted for usefulness in any direction to which its energies were given.
No man understood better than he the obligations which rested upon him, as one who had been blessed by a bountiful Providence with ample means for the alleviation of human suffering and want.
He was a strong man, strong in means and strong in the ability to judge as to the most efficient manner of dispensing his bounties. "The cause which he knew not he searched out." Never, from his princely abode on County Street, did the stream of benevolence cease to flow. The exercise of the charities of which that was the fountain was one of the institutions of the city. Steadily, clearly, widely, always full and always overflowing, year after year the stream flowed on, diffusing throughout our city its healing, refreshing and encouraging influence. One of the special objects of his philanthropy to which he felt himself called, was to befriend and aid the colored race.
Few, if any, of this class were ever turned away unhelped. Aid has gone from his house to help many a fugitive slave on to liberty. During the days of the anti-slavery agitation and struggle he was a regular and large contributor to the funds of the anti-slavery societies. Mr. Arnold died December 3, 1868 at the age of eighty-seven years. Among other generous bequests in his will, he left in trust "the sum of $100,000 for the benefit of the poor and needy in New Bedford who may be deserving."
A wealthy whaling merchant with a keen interest in botanicals. He and his wife traveled extensively seeking plant specimens. He was known to have a very large garden at his home on County Street in New Bedford. The attached photo was his home, at 427 County Street, New Bedford Massachusetts which is today known as the Wamsutta Club.
Arnold left part of his fortune to Harvard University for the study of botanicals. This resulted in the establishment of Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Husband of Sarah Arnold from another prominent whaling family, the Rotch family.
.. His house bio taken from the New Bedford walking tour of County Street.
James Arnold, was the son of Thomas Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island, a prominent member of the Society of Friends. By his birthright, he too, was a member of that religious denomination, and whatever may be thought of the peculiarities of this religious body, one fact is beyond controversy, that, in proportion to its numbers, no sect of Christians has blessed the world with a larger proportion of noble men and women who have exemplified in their lives that personal purity and devotedness to the welfare of humanity, which are the foundation of the gospel of peace and good will.
In early life Mr. Arnold gave a direction to an intellect subtle and vigorous beyond the average of his fellowman, by a careful perusal and study of -the classical literature of our language. None but those who were favored with his intimacy in the most vigorous period of his life can be aware of the extent and richness of his knowledge of our best authors, and of the keen and exhaustive appreciation of their powers and beauties with which he was endowed.
During his long and active life, Mr. Arnold felt and enjoyed the adventures of this extensive acquaintance with the best portion of English literature, and of this richness and fullness all were made partakers who were favored and of this richness and fullness.
Arnold held a 'place prominence and honor'. He was among the last of that successful and high-minded race of men who, in the last quarter of the 19th century, were the merchant princes of New Bedford.
He took his place while yet a young man, as the son-in-law of William Rotch, Jr., and as his partner in business, among those who were known throughout the mercantile world as enlightened and successful men of business; and while the success of his devotion, skill, and enterprise demonstrated his right to share with them their elevated position, no act of his ever sullied the purity of the reputation they had won.
Mr. Arnold was but little in public life. In the days when the good old plan of town meetings allowed men to be somewhat active in our town affairs, he gave a fair portion of his time to our municipal business. For a short period he was a member of the Governor's Council while the governor's chair was occupied by George N. Briggs. He filled the office of councilor with much credit and usefulness. The good governor said that at no period during his long term of office did he have more efficient assistance from any member of his council than from Mr. Arnold. His was a well-trained, well disciplined, and a well-informed mind, fitted for usefulness in any direction to which its energies were given.
No man understood better than he the obligations which rested upon him, as one who had been blessed by a bountiful Providence with ample means for the alleviation of human suffering and want.
He was a strong man, strong in means and strong in the ability to judge as to the most efficient manner of dispensing his bounties. "The cause which he knew not he searched out." Never, from his princely abode on County Street, did the stream of benevolence cease to flow. The exercise of the charities of which that was the fountain was one of the institutions of the city. Steadily, clearly, widely, always full and always overflowing, year after year the stream flowed on, diffusing throughout our city its healing, refreshing and encouraging influence. One of the special objects of his philanthropy to which he felt himself called, was to befriend and aid the colored race.
Few, if any, of this class were ever turned away unhelped. Aid has gone from his house to help many a fugitive slave on to liberty. During the days of the anti-slavery agitation and struggle he was a regular and large contributor to the funds of the anti-slavery societies. Mr. Arnold died December 3, 1868 at the age of eighty-seven years. Among other generous bequests in his will, he left in trust "the sum of $100,000 for the benefit of the poor and needy in New Bedford who may be deserving."
A wealthy whaling merchant with a keen interest in botanicals. He and his wife traveled extensively seeking plant specimens. He was known to have a very large garden at his home on County Street in New Bedford. The attached photo was his home, at 427 County Street, New Bedford Massachusetts which is today known as the Wamsutta Club.
Arnold left part of his fortune to Harvard University for the study of botanicals. This resulted in the establishment of Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Husband of Sarah Arnold from another prominent whaling family, the Rotch family.
.. His house bio taken from the New Bedford walking tour of County Street.
In early life Mr. Arnold gave a direction to an intellect subtle and vigorous beyond the average of his fellowman, by a careful perusal and study of -the classical literature of our language. None but those who were favored with his intimacy in the most vigorous period of his life can be aware of the extent and richness of his knowledge of our best authors, and of the keen and exhaustive appreciation of their powers and beauties with which he was endowed.
During his long and active life, Mr. Arnold felt and enjoyed the adventures of this extensive acquaintance with the best portion of English literature, and of this richness and fullness all were made partakers who were favored and of this richness and fullness.
Arnold held a 'place prominence and honor'. He was among the last of that successful and high-minded race of men who, in the last quarter of the 19th century, were the merchant princes of New Bedford.
He took his place while yet a young man, as the son-in-law of William Rotch, Jr., and as his partner in business, among those who were known throughout the mercantile world as enlightened and successful men of business; and while the success of his devotion, skill, and enterprise demonstrated his right to share with them their elevated position, no act of his ever sullied the purity of the reputation they had won.
Mr. Arnold was but little in public life. In the days when the good old plan of town meetings allowed men to be somewhat active in our town affairs, he gave a fair portion of his time to our municipal business. For a short period he was a member of the Governor's Council while the governor's chair was occupied by George N. Briggs. He filled the office of councilor with much credit and usefulness. The good governor said that at no period during his long term of office did he have more efficient assistance from any member of his council than from Mr. Arnold. His was a well-trained, well disciplined, and a well-informed mind, fitted for usefulness in any direction to which its energies were given.
No man understood better than he the obligations which rested upon him, as one who had been blessed by a bountiful Providence with ample means for the alleviation of human suffering and want.
He was a strong man, strong in means and strong in the ability to judge as to the most efficient manner of dispensing his bounties. "The cause which he knew not he searched out." Never, from his princely abode on County Street, did the stream of benevolence cease to flow. The exercise of the charities of which that was the fountain was one of the institutions of the city. Steadily, clearly, widely, always full and always overflowing, year after year the stream flowed on, diffusing throughout our city its healing, refreshing and encouraging influence. One of the special objects of his philanthropy to which he felt himself called, was to befriend and aid the colored race.
Few, if any, of this class were ever turned away unhelped. Aid has gone from his house to help many a fugitive slave on to liberty. During the days of the anti-slavery agitation and struggle he was a regular and large contributor to the funds of the anti-slavery societies. Mr. Arnold died December 3, 1868 at the age of eighty-seven years. Among other generous bequests in his will, he left in trust "the sum of $100,000 for the benefit of the poor and needy in New Bedford who may be deserving."
A wealthy whaling merchant with a keen interest in botanicals. He and his wife traveled extensively seeking plant specimens. He was known to have a very large garden at his home on County Street in New Bedford. The attached photo was his home, at 427 County Street, New Bedford Massachusetts which is today known as the Wamsutta Club.
Arnold left part of his fortune to Harvard University for the study of botanicals. This resulted in the establishment of Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Husband of Sarah Arnold from another prominent whaling family, the Rotch family.
.. His house bio taken from the New Bedford walking tour of County Street.
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