San Francisco County
Biographies
C. M. ARNOLD
C. M. ARNOLD,
real estate dealer, San Francisco,
was born in Illinois, in
1842. In 1853 he came with his parents
to San Francisco, and soon
afterward entered the German grammar school, well known to all the early
residents of the city, attending this school nearly two years. Afterward he entered the University of the
Pacific, at Santa Clara, where he
completed his education, graduating in 1864.
In 1866 he commenced the study of law, in the office of Judge Nathaniel Bennet, of San Francisco, and while thus prosecuting his
studies he supported himself by teaching in Union College, then located on the
corner of Second and Bryant streets, holding the position of Professor of
Higher Mathematics. He was admitted to
the bar in 1868. The next year he went
to San Diego, where he opened an
office, but, soon becoming convinced of the bright future of that city, he
decided to abandon his profession and engage in the real-estate business. Associating himself with D. Choat, of San Diego,
they opened an office, and for many years the firm did the largest real-estate
business of all agencies in the city.
Mr. Arnold was
instrumental in putting a stop to the work of a large lot of roughs who had
commenced “jumping” the land of others.
At that time there were many vacant lots and blocks belonging to
non-residents. A number of the roughs
commenced to fence a block belonging to the Hon. F. M. Pixley. Foreseeing that such proceedings, if allowed
to continue, would lead to much trouble and probably bloodshed, Mr. Arnold
determined to put a stop to it at once, if possible. With six other citizens he
organized one evening the only vigilance committee ever in existence in San
Diego. It
immediately became known that such a committee had been organized, but none
outside of the organization knew its numbers.
Next morning Mr. Arnold collected a number of law-abiding men and led
them to the land being fenced by a crowd of the roughs. Quickly the fence was demolished, the
material piled in a heap and set on fire, the roughs being too much surprised
to make any_______________________(missing from
script)______attending this school nearly two years. (sic)resistance. Threats were made against Mr. Arnold’s life,
but the boldness and determination shown prevented any further trouble.
Mr. Arnold
returned to San Francisco in 1876,
and opened a money-broker’s office on Kearny street, where he remained about
two years; but in 1878 he again engaged in real-estate business. In 1886 he put on the market a large tract of
land south of the park. This property
has greatly appreciated in value, much of it being now worth ten times the
amount it then sold for. He has dealt
largely in Tehama county and Fresno
county lands, and is paying especial attention to country property. Mr. Arnold is a member of San Francisco
Chapter, R. A. M.; Pacific Lodge, F. & A. M.; Sotoyome
Tribe of Red Men; Social Council Order of Chosen Friends, and the sitting past
Grand Councillor, and is Vice Councillor
of the Supreme Council of the last named order.
Mr. Arnold is married, and has one son.
Transcribed 12-6-05 Marilyn R. Pankey. Note:
If one just forgot the phrase “attending this school nearly two years”
and completed the sentence with “surprised to make any resistance” it makes sense. First time I’ve come across something like
this. mrp
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 278-279,
Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2005 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library