JAMES H. VANARSDALE was born in Mercer county, Ky., June 28, 1816. He came with his parents, who were of Holland Dutch descent, to this state, in 1836, arriving at Carrollton, Oct. 6, the same year. He received a fair common school education in his native state, and the home training and associations were such as ever guided and controlled his future course, in the active duties of life. His father, Peter VanArsdale, was a blacksmith by trade, and in connection with that business, owned and cultivated a good farm of 230 acres, upon which his son J. H. grew up to manhood. His father was a close student of books, and a reader of the newspapers of that day, and kept himself well posted upon all the important events of the times, both from a moral and political standpoint. In politics, he was decidedly democratic, until towards the latter part of Jackson's administration, when, from moral principles, he zealously espoused the anti-slavery cause, and was known as a conscientious, intelligent voting abolitionist until his death, which occurred in 1857. He was also, from early manhood, a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and taught his children to think for themselves, and ever dare to do right. J. H. V., his only son, was married Dec. 9, 1839, to Susan Demaree, of Park county, Ind. She departed this life, April 8, 1854, leaving two sons - Alfred D. and James M. The first is now a resident of Colorado. The second lost his life in the service of his country, at the age of 21 years and six months. May 9, 1855, Mr. VanArsdale was united in marriage, with Mrs. Sarah S. Batchelder, of Chesterfield, Ill., and by this union there were five children, three daughters and two sons. They are all living, and qualified, by education and association, to act well their part in the drama of life, if they choose thus to do. He has been, from early boyhood, an earnest advocate of teetotal temperance principles, and now, in the 70th year of his age, never has received, or given, a treat of intoxicating liquor to any person. He has been a resident of this county, since Oct., 1836, and has lived at his present place of residence, on Sec. 30, T. 10, R. 10, since the spring of 1845. In religious belief and practice, Mr. and Mrs. VanArsdale are Presbyterian, and most of their family are of the same faith. They have ever done what they could to advance the educational, and all other elevating interests, tending to the elevation of the community where they reside. Mr. VanArsdale's first vote for president, was cast for Van Buren, in 1836; for Harrison, in 1840; James G. Binney, 1844; Martin Van Buren, in1848; John P. Hale, 1852; Col. J. C. Freemont, 1856; Abraham Lincoln, 1869; and for every nominee of the Republican party, since. He has held some public offices of trust and honor. He was elected justice of the peace, in 1849, and held the office continuously until Sept., 1862, when he resigned, to accept the office of assistant assessor of this county, which he held until Oct., 1866. He was, by an appointment of Governor R. J. Oglesby, a member of the State Board of Equalization, for the term of 1867-68. He was appointed marshal, in 1870, to take the national census, for the east half of this county. He was brought up on a farm, and the principal business of his life, has been in agricultural pursuits.