Finnestad Ancestry

Arthur LeRoy Arndt took his own life on January 12, 1955 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan.  His suicide was reported on page 2 in the South Haven Daily Tribune on January 13, 1955.    His death occurred a year following that of his mother .     Arthur LeRoy Arndt was the son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and great-grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.

Here is the 1940 US Census for Arthur LeRoy Arndt living with his aunt and uncle,  Mary (Arndt) and Wallace L. Toole and their daughter Alfa and son Neil.    The census incorrectly lists Arthur's last name as Toole.    He is also listed as a ward on this census as opposed to the previous census in which he was listed as the Toole's nephew. Arthur LeRoy Arndt was living in South Haven township, Van Buren county, Michigan.  He was employed as a clerk for a grocery store.      Arthur was the son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and great-grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.

The 1930 US Census lists David Andrew Arndt on a 'Crew of Vessels'.     The ship named S.S. Tulsagas was based in San Francisco and owned by Associated Oil Company .    Andrew can be found at line #26.  Error:   David Andrew Arndt.   Census lists Arndt, Andrew C.    The last column states "Address of wife or next of kin": Rochille (sic), Illinois.     Wife Linnie (Vallem) Arndt was living in Dement township adjoining Rochelle located in Flagg township, Ogle county, Illinois in 1930 with her mother Rachel and brother Elmer so this is the correct Andrew Arndt. Here is the 1930 US census for Leonard A Arndt, the eldest son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt. Here is the 1930 US census for their second eldest son, Arthur LeRoy Arndt. Their  youngest son, Russell Burdett Arndt died a few years earlier on May 30, 1926.        According to 'Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index,...

The 1930 US Census lists Arthur LeRoy Arndt living with his aunt and uncle, Mary (Arndt) and Wallace L. Toole and their daughter Alfa.        They are listed on lines 65 - 68 of the census. The Toole family were living in South Haven township, Van Buren county, Michigan.    I do not know why Arthur didn't live with his mother though it may have had to do with economics.   This census was taken the year following the Great Depression of 1929. Arthur was the son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and great-grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.