Charles C. P. Arndt

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Arndt (October 31, 1811 – February 11, 1842) was an American lawyer, Whig politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. While serving as a member of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory, he was shot and killed by fellow councillor, James Russell Vineyard.

Early life and education Charles Arndt was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the fifth child of John Penn Arndt and his wife Elizabeth ( Carpenter). Charles moved with his parents to the Michigan Territory in 1822, first settling at Mackinac Island, and then continuing west in 1824 to Green Bay, in the territory that would later become Wisconsin. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1832, and went on to study law under Joel Jones at Easton, Pennsylvania, for the next three years.

During the debate, Arndt produced a number of testimonials from Grant County voters attesting to the quality of Baker's character, which Vineyard declared to be false. Arndt and Vineyard exchanged heated words. A few minutes later, the session was adjourned. Arndt approached Vineyard and asked him directly if he had imputed that his remarks had been false. Vineyard confirmed, and Arndt struck him in the head. Vineyard pulled out a revolver and fired one shot into Arndt's chest. He died in less than five minutes. Vineyard attempted to submit his resignation to the Council on February 14, 1842, but his resignation was rejected, and the Council instead voted 10–1 in favor of expelling him.

Personal life and family Arndt was a descendant of Bernhard Arndt, an early settler of the Province of Pennsylvania.

He married Catharine Ann Marsh on May 5, 1835. They had one son and two daughters.