William E. Arnold M.D. was a native of Autauga County, Alabama, was born November 14, 1838. His parents, William B. and L.B (Hardin) Arnold, reared a large family of children, of whom our subject is the third to the youngest. When he was two years of age, his parents migrated to Nevada County in Arkansas. His father, who was a Methodist minister, engaged in farming and, at times preached the gospel.

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     William was reared on a farm, attending the common schools of this county. When he was twenty years of age, he began the study of medicine at Atlanta, Georgia Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1861. He enlisted in Company “A” First Arkansas Regiment, soon after the War between the states began, in the capacity of “E” private. He was subsequently made assistant surgeon of the same regiment and in this rank, he served until the surrender. While in the front at Atlanta, dressing a wound on the field, he was wounded by being struck by a piece of shell, and was thus disabled for a short time.

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     At the close of the war, he returned to Prescott, and resumed his practice. He built up a large practice, and was a citizen highly respected by the entire community. Dr. Arnold was married in the year 1868 to Mary McCollum, by whom he had five children: Elle, Pattie, Lottie, Robert and Clifton. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Dr. William H, Arnold died in Prescott and was buried in DeAnne Cemetery. On his tombstone (Confederate marker) is inscribed the following:

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W.E. Arnold, Surgeon 0.S.A.

1837-1923.