BIO: Benjamin F. ARNEY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ B. H. ARNEY, a well-known and popular citizen of Centre Hall, Centre county, is a worthy representative of one of Potter township's best families. He is a native of the county, born December 5, 1840, in Gregg township, a son of Jacob and Rachel (Meyers) Arney, who when he was thirteen years of age removed to Potter township, where the greater part of his life has been passed. In the Musser school, Gregg township, he began his education under the guidance of Robert Cook, at which time discipline and order were the principal features of the school room. As his father owned and operated a clover-hulling mill, in which business winter is the busiest season, our subject for two years assisted him in his work at the expense of his schooling. In 1856 he entered an academy at Lock Haven, Penn., where he completed his literary studies. Soon after leaving the school room, in the fall of 1857, Mr. Arney began clerking in the store of Arney & Ross, at Centre Hill, his father being a member of the firm. Previous to this time he had lived upon a farm, and had early become familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Following his services as clerk at Centre Hill, he was similarly employed in the general store of William Wolfe, at Centre Hall, and Daniel Hess, at Kinden Hall, both of which stores did a large business at that time. Subsequently he has for two years and a half employed as clerk in the dry-goods establishment of Bisel & Everett, of Lock Haven, Penn., and later by Troxal & Bridgens, of the same place. In 1863, Mr. Arney went west, and entered the employ of what was then the Toledo & Wabash railroad, serving in the capacity of yardmaster at its western terminus-State Line, Ind. While the business was new to him, he readily adapted himself to his duties, and was made ticket agent at Danville, Ill., after the consolidation of that road with another, at which time it became known as the Wabash railroad. Having contracted ague and malaria, he was forced to abandon that section of the country after four years of railroad life, and was compelled to decline an offer of a substantial salary to remain with the company. The business possessed for him the usual fascination, and it was with reluctance that he gave it up. Returning to his native state, the healthy mountain air hastened his recovery, and he was soon able to accept the position of manager of the store belonging to C. C. McClelland, at Round Island, Penn., where he spent one winter. About this time his father removed to a farm near Centre Hall, where, in 1868, was erected the brick house now occupied by our subject, and he returned home in order to assist his father in the improvement and cultivation of the place. On July 24, 1870, in Millheim, Centre county, Mr. Arney was married to Miss Mary A. Ziegler, who was born at that place June 1, 1848, a daughter of Michael and Lydia (Gephart) Ziegler. Her father, a well- known citizen of Millheim, was born in Penn township, Centre county, a son of Peter Ziegler, and belonged to one of the prominent families of the community. During the Civil war he supplied the government with many hundred horses. He died in October, 1894, at the age of seventy- four years; his wife in May, 1877, at the age of fifty-six, and both were interred in the cemetery at Millheim. In their family were the following children: Daniel, a saddler, of Millheim; John, postmaster at Swengal, Union Co., Penn.; Sarah, now Mrs. J. A. Reeseman, of Centre Hall; Emma, wife of Geary Van Pelt, of Ithaca, N.Y.; James, of Union county, Penn.; Mrs. Lydia Smith, of Tyrone Penn., and Mary A., wife of our subject. In 1871 Mr. Arney removed to a part of the Philip Foster farm, where he continued to live until 1893, when he located upon his present place. It is the old home of his father, comprising 135 acres of rich and arable land, which he and his brother, Dr. G. F. Arney, now own. A great reader, he keeps himself well informed on the leading questions and topics of the day, and is numbered among the best and most popular citizens of Centre Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Arney have one son, A. Miles, one of the brightest young men of the neighborhood, who was born August 22, 1878, and is now a student in Pennsylvania State College, taking a four-years' course in electric engineering. The parents are devout members of the Reformed Church, in which Mr. Arney has served as deacon. At State and National elections his unwavering support is given the Democratic party, but on local affairs he votes independently, endeavoring to support the best men regardless COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 349 of party ties. At present he is acceptable serving as treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Centre County, also as township auditor, and has held other official positions, including those of school director and election officer. He is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, one who has the good will and high regard of all who know him. 1880 Potter Township, Centre County census - Benjamin F. Arney, 38 Mary A. Arney, 31 A. Miles Arney, 2