Frank W. Arnold

Frank W. Arnold (1851–1917) was an American trade union functionary, lawyer, businessman, and government employee. He is best remembered as a Grand Master and Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen (B of LF).

Arnold headed the B of LF from 1879 to 1885, leaving to enter a career in business and law. He would return as Secretary-Treasurer of the B of LF in 1892, holding the post until the end of 1903. At the time of his death, Arnold worked as an Examiner for the United States Interstate Commerce Commission.

Biography Early years

Frank W. Arnold was born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 5, 1851. He was educated in the public schools of that community. Arnold graduated from Columbus High School in 1866, when he was 15 years old.

Railway career

Following Frank's graduation in Columbus, the Arnold family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where Arnold gained an entry-level position with the Louisville City Railway Company as an engine starter.

Arnold attended the 1879 national convention of the organization in Chicago and was here elected Grand Master (President) of the organization, a position which he held until 1885. During his tenure as secretary-treasurer, Arnold helped the union move its headquarters in 1894 to Peoria, Illinois, where he oversaw an increase in the union's membership from less than 21,000 members in 1894 to nearly 41,000 members in 1902. Arnold would remain at this post until his resignation in November 1903, which took effect January 1, 1904.

Later years

After leaving his well-paid position as a functionary of the B of LF, Arnold took a job as a representative of a large jewelry firm, eventually leaving Chicago to return to Peoria, Illinois, where he took a position as Secretary of the town's Commercial Club.

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