The Arnold brothers were born to Samuel Arnold and Hope Shailer Arnold in the town of Haddam in Middlesex County, Connecticut and were part of the sixth generation of Arnolds to be born in that community.

Local historian Frank Johnson noted in a history of the Arnold family, it is uncertain why two prominent citizens of New England such as E. J. and E. L. Arnold would make their way to the untamed frontier of the Republic of Texas but they carried on the Arnold family tradition as pioneers of Montgomery County.

According to Johnson’s research, Dr. E. J. Arnold was a well-loved citizen of Montgomery. He was active in politics, served on the board of Medical Censors for the Republic of Texas and donated land for the Montgomery Academy and served on the board of directors for the school after it was chartered in 1848 and was also a Justice of the Peace.

Soon after his arrival in Montgomery, Johnson said Dr. Arnold built a small log home but replaced it in 1845 with a lavish Greek-Revival style home and used his old home for his office.

Dr. Arnold’s headstone in Willis Cemetery indicates that he died on Sept. 12, 1858. His wife, Rhoda Ann, is believed to have died in 1876. Family histories tell that Dr. Arnold was originally buried in Montgomery but was re-interred at Willis Cemetery in the 1880s next to his wife, Johnson noted.

The couple had four children, Frances Ann “Fannie,” Evelynn Pratt Arnold, Epaphra Arnold Jr., who is believed to have died as a baby, and Louisa “Ludie” Davis.

Dr. Arnold’s youngest daughter Louisa, married Reuben Davis Simonton on Dec. 7, 1865. During the War Between the States, Reuben had served as a Sergeant in the 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment, a unit more popularly referred to as “Terry’s Texas Rangers.”

Dr. Arnold’s house, now known as the Arnold-Simonton House, became the home of Reuben and Ludie Simonton after the war. The Simonton family retained ownership of the Arnold-Simonton house for many years.

In 1977, the house was given to the Montgomery Historical Society, moved to a different place on the property, and became the Montgomery City Hall.

It was later moved to its present location at Fernland Park in the town of Montgomery.

Now situated as the focal point within Fernland Historical Park, the white house with its dentil trim features a pair of rooms on either side of an enclosed central hall. The rooms share interior double fireplaces, reflecting a Connecticut influence.

Courtesy Photo / Fernland Park
The Arnold-Simonton home was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1964 and entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The Arnold-Simonton home was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1964 and entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.