Alexander Ahab Arnold

Alexander Ahab Arnold (October 20, 1833 – March 1, 1915) was an American lawyer, livestock breeder, and Republican politician from Galesville, Wisconsin. He was the 33rd speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly and served two years in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Trempealeau County.

Early life and education Arnold was born in Rhinebeck, Duchess County, New York, in 1833. He was raised on his father's farm and attended the Starkey Academy, and then Poughkeepsie College. He taught school for a few years then entered the Ohio Law School, where he graduated in 1855.

Civil War service

Shortly after the death of his first wife and child, Arnold volunteered for service in the Union Army in the American Civil War. The 30th Wisconsin Infantry, unlike the other Wisconsin regiments, operated mostly within the state of Wisconsin enforcing the draft. They were involved in capturing and imprisoning several Ozaukee County draft rioters.

Postbellum career On his return from the war, Arnold decided to engage in agricultural pursuits, rather than continuing in the legal profession. In the first year after his return, he purchased additional land, tripling the size of his farm estate. He did not run for re-election in 1871.

In 1876, he ran for office again and was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from the 29th State Senate district, which then-comprised Buffalo, Pepin, and Trempealeau counties.

He was elected to his final term in the Assembly in 1879 and was elected speaker for the 1880 session.

Personal life and legacy

Alexander Ahab Arnold was the second of seven children born to Archibald H. R. Arnold and his wife Catherine M. E. ( Shultz). His older sister died at age 16.

Alexander Arnold married Hattie Tripp in 1859. Hattie died just two years later in 1861. They had one child together, Blanche, but the child died in 1862. Arnold subsequently married Mary D. Douglas on February 1, 1869. Arnold and his second wife had six more children, though only four survived to adulthood.

Arnold was a prominent mason, and was one of the organizers of the Grand Army of the Republic lodge in Galesville, and was the first commander of the lodge.

Arnold's farmstead estate was described a particularly beautiful, and so still remains today. It is identified as the Capt. Alexander A. Arnold Farm in the National Register of Historic Places.

Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (1870)

Wisconsin Senate (1876)

Wisconsin Assembly (1879)