Elting Arganbright remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and attended the common schools in the aquirement of an education. He then began providing for his own support and thinking to find better opportunities farther west came to Stark County Illinois. He had to spend all of his money for railroad fare but he had two sisters living in this county and he found work on a farm almost immediately after his arrival here. As there was little farm work to be done during the cold season, he attended school in the country and during the following two winters was a student in the Wyoming schools, walking into town everyday from the country. He completed the course taught in Wyoming at that time which was before the schools were graded and he later became an honorary member of the High School Alumni Association.
He decided that business pursuits would be more congenial than farming and secured a position with King Brothers, merchants, as delivery boy at a wage of five dollars per month. He remained with that firm for thirteen years and during that time learned thoroughly the principles of succesful merchandising in a small town. He carefully saved his wages which were advanced from time to time and on severing his connection with that firm purchased a bankrupt stock of goods for twenty-five hundred dollars. In order to do so he had to sell his house and lot and borrow nine hundred dollars. At the end of three months he sold out and purchased an interest in the store owned by H.A. Galbraith and A.G. Hammond and the firm of Hammond and Arganbright was established. Eleven years later he bought out his partner and became sole owner of the store. He carried a complete line of general merchandise, selected with a view to the epecial needs of his community and his liberal business policy, coupled with the high quality of his goods, commended him to a large patronage.
Mr. Arganbright was married in 1894 to Miss Nellie Dunlap, a native of Canton Illinois and the daughter of T.C. Dunlap. Mr. Arganbright supported the Republican party at the polls and was a leader in public affairs in Wyoming. He served on the Wyoming city council as well as the school board. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen and he attended as well as contributed to the support of the Congregational church. UNDER CONSTRUCTION - PLEASE BE PATIENT !!!
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