John J. Arney and Sarah J. Sweetwood

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Husband John J. Arney ¹

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           Born: 10 Feb 1839 - Gregg Twp, Centre Co, PA 2
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         Father: Jacob Arney (1808-1886) 3
         Mother: Rachel Meyers (1818-1891) 3

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       Marriage: 15 Oct 1864 - George's Valley, Gregg Twp, Centre Co, PA 2

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Wife Sarah J. Sweetwood ²

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           Born: 12 Mar 1836 - Potter Twp, Centre Co, PA 2
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         Father: John Sweetwood (1800-1887) 4
         Mother: Elizabeth Alexander (1808/1809-1841) 4 5 6

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - John J. Arney

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His education was begun at the Musser school house in Gregg township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. As the eldest son, he found many home duties, his work there often interfering with his attendance at school. From ten to fourteen years of age he was kept at home during the winters to assist in his father's clover mill, four of his best school years being thus lost. When twenty years old he attended a select school in his native township taught by H. Y. Stitzer, and later he studied for a short time at Pine Grove Academy, and in this way he prepared himself for teaching. His first term as teacher was spent at Chapel school house in Haines township, Centre County, in the winter of 1859-60, and he taught the next three winters successfully, two in Potter township and one in Centre Hall.
After his marriage Mr. Arney located on a rented farm in Potter township with the intention of following teaching in addition to his agricultural work, but the plan proved impracticable. After three years as a tenant on the land of strangers, he in 1867 rented his father's farm in Potter township, where he remained until the spring of 1889. He then removed to his own farm adjoining Centre Hall on the west, formerly known as the Christian Hoffer farm. He bought the portion improved by the homestead buildings, and had 135 acres of excellent land, making one of the best farms in the vicinity. His original purchase consisted of 171 acres, of which a portion was held in partnership, and was sold after a time, going to make the Centre Hall picnic grounds and an addition to the town, known as "Hoffer street," and containing a number of building lots. His only son, Isaac M. Arney, later took much of the responsibility of the farm work.
Mr. Arney was an influential supporter of the Democratic party, but at local elections he voted for the "best man." He held office in his school district, and his best efforts were given to educational advancement, his own privations in that regard having emphasized the value of good schools, open to all. Socially, he was a member of the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall, and he and his wife were both members of the Reformed Church, in which he held the office of deacon.

One instance of his foresight could be found in his work in founding a branch of the Patrons of Husbandry in his vicinity. He had read of the usefulness of the order, and desiring to secure its benefits for his community he agitated the question of organization so effectively that soon afterward, February 12, 1873, Progress Grange No. 96 was organized at Centre Hall. He was chosen to the post of master and his interest in the order never flagged, and nothing that he could do to add to its usefulness or prestige was left undone.

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 365.

2 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 366.

3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 348, 365.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 123, 366.

5 John Blair Linn, History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1883), Pg 382.

6 —, Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley (Chambersburg, PA: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897), Pg 661.