David B. Arrell is one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers in Garden
Plain Township. He was born in the
township of Veale in Daviess Co., Ind., Sept.
20, 1821. His parents, James and Sarah (Crab)
Arrell, were natives of the township of Fallowfield, Washington Co., Pa., and emigrated thence to
Indiana about 1817, traveling on flat-boats on the
Monongahela and Ohio Rivers to Evansville on the
latter, whence they went to Daviess County with
teams. They located in Daviess County and were
pioneers, building a log house in the depths of the
timber. The structure was built without nails, covered with clapboards and had a puncheon floor. The
door was furnished with a wooden latch, and the
trite saying that "its string was always out," may
be accepted in all its significations. The family left
Indiana in 1823, returning to Pennsylvania.
So far as can be ascertained the first representatives of the name of Arrell in America were two
brothers, Edward and William Arrell, who came
from County Derry, Ireland, to America in 1774.
They were descendants of the Scotch who went to
the north of the Green Isle to escape the persecutions
of the "kirk " in 1619, and who experienced perplexities scarcely less oppressive from the taxation of
the Established Church, which presented their assimilation in any degree with the people of the country where they first sought refuge, for a long period
of time. Hence the first Scotch-Irish who settled in
America had no mixture of Irish blood in their veins.
They were Scotch who were born in Ireland. Edward Arrell, paternal grandfather of Mr. Arrell of
this sketch, espoused the cause of the Colonists in
their rebellion against British oppression. He was
employed in the commissary department at Bunker
Hill, and while driving his team on the retreat his
wagon tipped over. He restored its equilibrium,
filled it with wounded soldiers and the procession
made good its escape. He located after the war was
done in Fayette Co., Pa. After his marriage he secured a claim of land on Maple Creek, in Fallowfield
Township. He improved a farm on which he lived
until his life's journey closed. His children numbered seven-four sons and three daughters.
James and Sarah Arrell became the parents of
seven children. Following is the record of those of
the number who survive: Matilda is the wife of Wilham Wood, and they reside on a part of the homestead in Daviess Co., Ind. David B. is the oldest
surviving son. Alice married Hon. John B. Scudder, of Daviess Co.,Ind. Nancy is the widow of
Fenwick Alexander. Rachel is the wife of G. McIlvaine, of Washington Co., Pa.
William Arrell, the brother of Edward, settled in
Chambersburg, Pa. He had three sons and one
daughter. Only one of his sons was married. The
son John located near Poland, Ohio, where some of
his descendants yet reside.
Mr. Arrell of this sketch was two years of age when
his parents went to Pennsylvania. After a residence
there of seven years, the family returned to Daviess
Co., Ind., where the son remained until he was 18.
He returned to Pennsylvania in 1839 to live with his
aunts. In 1846 he was married to Margaret J.,
daughter of Baptiste and Nancy (Arrell) Hopper.
The year following they went to Monogahela City, where they resided until 1853. In that year they came to Illinois and fixed their first place of abode near Albany.
Mr. Arrell bought a tract of unimproved land on section 32, of Garden Plain Township, of which he took possession in 1857. On taking up his residence thereon, he at once proceeded to put the place in the best condition for occupation and successful management. The entire property is in advanced cultivation and fitted with the best type of modern farm fixtures.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arrell. Tose now living are as follows:
Effie is the wie of Dr. J.B. Ewing of Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa.
Hopper is married and lives in Newton Township. Gertrude married B.H.
Quick, of Moline, David B., Jr. resides at home.
Portraits and Biographical Pg 193
