Walter Julian Arbenger ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8}

  General Notes:

"History of the Lake Champlain and Lake George Valleys", p. 255

WALTER J. ARBENGER
High qualities of civic service and business activities characterize the career of Walter J. Arbenger, city clerk of Plattsburgh, New York. Like many of the citizens of this city, he is native of another section of the country, having been born at Fort Totten, North Dakota, 11 Nov 1888, son of Phillip and Lena (Hansen) Arbenger. His father, however, came originally from Jamaica, Long Island, and his mother was born in Norway. The older man was engaged in mechanical pursuits until his death. The mother is living.

Walter J. Arbenger began his elementary education at Fort Sidney, Nebraska, but was graduated from Plattsburgh High School. He supplemented his academic education with studies in the Albany Business College and the Alexander Hamilton Institute, and entered the employ of the Ludlum Steel Company in a clerical capacity. After about eighteen months he went with Armour and Company, remaining with this immense corporation until 12 Jun 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in this famous unit throughout the World War and after to 10 Jul 1922 when he received his honorable discharge as a master sergeant in the Paymaster's Department.

Upon his return to civilian life, in 1922, Mr. Arbenger went to Plattsburgh, which has retained its hold upon him as it has upon so many others. Until 1928 he was associated with the I. Crete Company, active in general merchandising, and of which he is still the secretary.
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CITY CLERK LEAVING TO VISIT HIS MOTHER
City Clerk Walter J. Arbenger, Mrs. Arbenger, son Richard S., daughter Doris N., accompanied by Mrs. John Gilmore leave this morning by motor for Fort Snelling, Minn. where Mr. Arbenger will visit his mother whom he has not seen in more than 12 years. The party hope to visit the Century of Progress in Chicago before returning to Plattsburgh about September 15.

Mr. Arbenger's mother, who is 82 years of age, and her sister, Mrs. Martha Egland, 95 years old, are now residing at the home of Warrant Officer and Mrs. Olaf N. Nord. Mrs. Nord is Mr. Arbenger's sister. Warrant Officer Nord is well known here having served with the Fifth U. S. infantry band when that regiment was stationed at Plattsburgh Barracks. At present he is bandleader of the Third Infantry band, stationed at Fort Snelling.
(Source: Plattsburgh Daily Press, Plattsburgh, NY, 1 Sep 1934, page 1)
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World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Walter J. Arbenger
City: North Adams
County: Berkshire
State: Massachusetts
Birthplace: North Dakota; United States of America
Birth Date: 11 Nov 1888
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1684875
Draft Board: 1
Age: 28
Occupation: Cashier
Registration Place: North Adams, MA
Height: Tall
Color of Eyes: Gray
Color of Hair: Lt. Brown

U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1940
Name: Walter Arbenger
Muster Date: Dec 1920
Enlistment Date: 12 Jun 1917
Rank: Quartermaster Sergeant
Station: Office Of The Assistant Paymaster, 1415 Locust St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1940
Name: Walter C Arbenger
Muster Date: Jun 1920
Enlistment Date: 12 Jun 1917
Rank: Quartermaster Sergeant
Station: Depot Of Supplies, U S Marine Corps, Charleston, SC
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  Noted events in his life were:

• He has alternate birth date of 11 November 1889 and a birth location of Fort Totten, ND.

^{2 3 4 5 7}

• He appeared on the 1900 US Census in Plattsburgh Township, Clinton County, NY on 7 June 1900. ⁴

1900 US Census
Sheet 8A, District 26, Dwelling 137, Family 158
Plattsburgh Township, Clinton County, New York
37 South Platt Street; home rented
Walter Arbinger..Son..Nov 1889..11..ND..At School
(Living with widowed mother.)
.

• 1905 New York State Census: June 1905, in Plattsburgh, NY. ⁵ 1905 New York State Census
Page 27, line 32, District 6
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
Johnson Avenue
Walter Arbenger..Son..16..US
(Living with widowed mother.)

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• He appeared on the 1910 US Census in Plattsburgh, NY on 21 April 1910. ⁶

1910 US Census
Sheet 11A, District 35, Family 230, Roll 932
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
12 Johnson Avenue; Home rented
Walter Arbinger..Son..21..ND..Salesman, Retail Groceries
(Living with his widowed mother.)
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• He resided at 82 Johnson Avenue in 1913 in Plattsburgh, NY.
1913 City Directory Plattsburgh, New York
Lena Arbenger...widow of Philip, h 82 Johnson Ave.
Walter Arbenger...Clerk, res 82 Johnson Ave
Olof Nord...Musician, U.S.A., res 82 Johnson Ave.
.

• He appeared on the 1920 US Census in Brooklyn, NY on 2 January 1920. ⁷

1920 US Census
Sheet 1B, District 492, Family 25, Roll 1157
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
515 - 88th Street; Home rented
Walter J. Arbenger..Brother..30..ND..Statistician, Marine Corps.
(Living with married sister, her children, and his widowed mother.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 11 Nov 1888, then his age should have been 31 instead of 30.
.

• His occupation from 1928 to 1948 was a City Clerk in Plattsburgh, NY.

• He appeared on the 1930 US Census in Plattsburgh, NY on 11 April 1930. ²

1930 US Census
Sheet 4A, District 37, Dwelling 91, Family 90, Roll 1417
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
126 South Catherine Street; Home owned, $8000
Walter Arbenger..Head..40..ND..City Clerk, City of Plattsburgh

(Living with wife and 2 children.)
.

• He appeared on the 1940 US Census in Plattsburgh, NY on 8 April 1940. ³

1940 US Census
Sheet 7A, District 10-44, Family 120, Roll 2517
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
126 South Catherine Street, owned, $8,000
residence in 1935: Same House
Walter J. Arbenger..Head..51..ND..12th grade..City Clerk..earned $3,000 in 1939

(Living with wife and 3 children.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 11 Nov 1888, then his age should have been 52 instead of 51.
.

• He resided at 128 South Catherine Street on 1 September 1942 in Plattsburgh, NY.

• He resided at 4 West Court Street on 8 September 1945 in Plattsburgh, NY.

• He was buried after 15 September 1949 in the Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh, NY.

Find A Grave Memorial 69245093. ⁸

• His obituary was published in the Plattsburgh Press Republican on 16 September 1949 in Plattsburgh, NY.

WALTER ARBENGER DIES AT HIS HOME;
RETIRED CITY CLERK CORONARY ATTACK, SECOND IN TWO YEARS, TAKES HIS LIFE; RITES WILL BE MONDAY

Walter J. Arbenger, of 4 West Court Street, city clerk of Plattsburgh for two decades until illness forced his retirement in July of last year, died at his home a few minutes after six o'clock last evening. Death was attributed to coronary thrombosis. His age was 60.

Mr. Arbenger had been ill for 19 months. A previous coronary attack had left him paralyzed, although of recent months he had been sufficiently well to take occasional automobile rides with members of his family. He was first stricken in February of 1948, and had not been able to return to his office at City Hall since that time. However, he had accumulated sufficient sick leave and vacation time to make it possible for him to be retained as city clerk in absence until noon of July 18, 1948, when he became eligible under Civil Service regulations to be retired on a disability basis. Deputy City Clerk George Miller shouldered Mr. Arbenger 's duties from the time he was first taken ill until his retirement. Miller then became city clerk.

Besides serving the city as city clerk --- a post he filled so capably that City Hall was virtually in a snarl whenever he was absent --- Mr. Arbenger was for two years a member of the Common Council from Ward Six. He once campaigned for the city's highest office, running unsuccessfully against Democrat William Cross in the early 1920's. He became city clerk Feb. 1, 1928, through an appointment by the then Mayor John McGaulley, and at the time of his retirement had served under five mayors.

His own capacity for work probably shortened his life. His last vacation - he was entitled to one every year- was something like 10 years ago, when Leander A. Bouyea was mayor. He carried as great a load of administrative detail as any other two department heads in the city.

Expressions of regret came from city officials as quickly as they heard of his death. Mayor Horace F. Davies said that he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of Mr. Arbenger's passing. The Mayor said that he felt that "it is fitting that we should all express our sympathy to members of his family."

City Clerk George Miller and Corporation Counsel Allen M. Light and services of its one-time commander. In addition to once having headed the Legion post, Mr. Arbenger was chairman of the group's House Committee up to the time of his death. He also was a member of the Forty and Eight, Legion honor Society. Mr. Arbenger was a member of the Legion by virtue of having served in the Marines in World War I. He enlisted in the Marine Corps June 12, 1917, and remained in the service until July 10, 1922, when he was discharged as a master sergeant in the Paymaster's Department.

Since 1926 he had been secretary of the Municipal Civil Service Commission, and since 1929 had served as secretary of the Park and Beach Commission. Besides being active linthe Legion, he was affiliated with Plattsburgh Masonic Lodge 826, Lodge KM, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Kiwanis, of which he was once treasurer; the PPlattsburghRod and Gun Club, the National Dinner Club, of which he was charter member, and the Plattsburgh Stamp Club. He was one of the most ardent philatelists in the northern part of the state.

He also was an experienced horticulturalist, and spent much time in landscaping about his home on West Court Street. He was a communicant of Trinity Episcopal Church, where funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded him by the American Legion.

Walter J. Arbenger was born at Fort Totten, North Dakota, Nov. 11, 1888, the son of Phillip and Lena (Hansen) Arbenger. His father was from Jamaica, LL. I. while his mother was a native of Norway. He began his elementary education at Fort Sidney, Neb., but was graduated from Plattsburgh High School. He studied at Albany Business College and the Alexander Hamilton Institute, completing his studies at the latter institution, he entered the employ of the Ludlum Steel Company as a clerk. After 18 months with Ludlum, he went with Armour and Company, remaining with that firm until he enlisted in the Marines. Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Arbenger returned to Plattsburgh. Until 1928 he was associated with I. Crete and Company, South Catherine Street grocery firm, and was the company's secretary. His wife, the former Madeline Zoll, a native of Brooklyn, one son, Richard, and two daughters, Doris and Joan, survive him, as does one sister, Mrs. O. M. Nord of Glendale, Cal.

(Source: Plattsburgh Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, 16 Sep 1949)
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• His obituary was published in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican on 19 September 1949 in Plattsburgh, NY.

The death of Walter J. Arbenger, whose funeral is to be held this morning, has been the cause of much regret in this city where for more than a quarter of a century he was actively identified with the business and civic life of Plattsburgh.

As one of Pittsburgh's leading residents, Mr. Arbenger capably demonstrated his ability as an executive with more than twenty years of service as City Clerk, an office which requires unusual responsibility and one for which he was remarkably well equipped.

An indefatigable worker in the affairs of the city, he nevertheless gave much of his spare time to the prosperity and progress of Plattsburgh Post No. 20, American Legion, of which he was a former commander, and an outstanding member.

Mr. Arbenger's exacting civic duties still left him time to make many friends outside that circle. Interested in sports, particularly baseball, he for many years keenly enjoyed and was a staunch supporter of our Majors in the former Northern Baseball League.

Although for some time retired from his active duties at city hall because of illness, many old friends will retain kindly memories of a genial and likeable man.

(Source:) Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, 19 Sep 1949)
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Walter married Madeline Zoll, daughter of Frederick Zoll and Lena Specht, on 29 August 1920 in Kings County, NY.^{1 2 3} (Madeline Zoll was born on 19 January 1895 in Brooklyn, NY,^{9 10} died on 7 May 1986 in Plattsburgh, NY ¹⁰ and was buried on 9 May 1986 in Plattsburgh, NY ^{10 11}.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They appeared on the 1930 US Census in Plattsburgh, NY on 11 April 1930. ²

1930 US Census
Sheet 4A, District 37, Dwelling 91, Family 90, Roll 1417
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
126 South Catherine Street; Home owned, $8000
Walter Arbenger..Head..40..ND..City Clerk, City of Plattsburgh
Madeline Arbenger..Wife..34..NY
Richard Arbenger..Son..9..PA
Doris Arbenger..Dau..11m..NY
.

• They appeared on the 1940 US Census in Plattsburgh, NY on 8 April 1940. ³

1940 US Census
Sheet 7A, District 10-44, Family 120, Roll 2517
Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
126 South Catherine Street, owned, $8,000
residence in 1935: Same House
Walter J. Arbenger..Head..51..ND..12th grade..City Clerk..earned $3,000 in 1939
Madeline Arbenger..Wife..43..NY..10th grade
Richard S. Arbenger..Son..19..PA..11th grade..Student
Doris M. Arbenger..Dau..10..NY..6th grade
Joan M. Arbenger..Dau..8m..NY
.

  Marriage Notes:

Name: Walter J Arbinger
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 29 Aug 1920
Event Place: Kings, New York, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Birth Year (Estimated): 1891
Father's Name: Phillip
Mother's Name: Lena Hanlan
Spouse's Name: Magdalena Zoll
Spouse's Gender: Female
Spouse's Age: 25
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1895
Spouse's Father's Name: Frederick
Spouse's Mother's Name: Lena Specht

Citing this Record
"New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2C2-CQV4 : 29 November 2018), Walter J Arbinger and Magdalena Zoll, 29 Aug 1920; citing Marriage, Kings, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,613,955.
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