The Biographical Dictionary of America/Arnold, Lemuel Hastings

ARNOLD, Lemuel Hastings, governor of Rhode Island, was born at St. Johnsbury, Vt., Jan. 29, 1792, son of Jonathan Arnold, a surgeon in the Revolutionary war. After his graduation from Dartmouth college in 1811 he devoted three years to the study of law, going then to Providence, R. I., where he practised for seven years. In 1821 he entered a manufacturing business, in which he was quite successful. He represented Providence in the general assembly from 1826 to 1831, when he was elected governor of Rhode Island, serving a second term by re-election. During the Dorr rebellion of 1842-'43 he was a member of the executive council, and in 1844 he was elected to represent his state in the 29th Congress, where he served throughout his term. He died June 27, 1852.