FRANCIS XAVIER ARNO - 153rd INFANTRYDIED OF CONSUMPTION IN 1876 - Francis Xavier Arno, son of Pierre Renaudand Catherine Petel from La Prairie, Quebec, was living in EllenburgCenter when he enlisted in the 153rd Infantry. His family had beenfarming in New York since the mid-1830s, and he had been married toLydia Lavigne since 1850.He and 35 other men from the Ellenburg area enlisted that August for atown bounty of \$25, and were mustered into Company K in October toserve for 3 years. Also in Company K were men from Altona, Mooers andQueensbury. Francis was recorded as being 37 years of age, but he wasactually 41.The 153rd served from October 1862 to the spring of 1864 in the Defensesof Washington, mostly in provost guard and garrison duties. At first,the regiment was with the Military District of Washington, and inFebruary 1863, were transferred to the Department of Washington, DC, inthe Districts of Alexandria and Washington.Francis didn't serve until the 153rd was sent to the field inLouisiana and Northern Virginia in 1864 and 1865. He was mustered outfor disability on January 15, 1863, after being the military for only 4months and 17 days.He came back to Ellenburg Center, and in December 1863, applied for anInvalid's Pension. By 1870, the family was living in Banks, in AntrimCounty on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan, where he lived forthe rest of his life, with his wife, Lydia Lavigne, and two sons,Charles and Louis. In 1876, Francis died of consumption and was buriedin the Catholic Cemetery in Atwood, MI.After Francis died, his wife married Joseph Franklin Paukett in 1877,and in 1891, applied for a pension based on Francis' service.To see a picture of Francis' son, Charles Arno, and his family, go to:
