Ripley A. Arnold
Major, U.S. Army

Ripley A. Arnold was born on 17 January 1817 in Pearlington, MS.

Arnold graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 1838. He fought in the Seminole Indian War and in the War with Mexico. He served as a Major under General William J. Worth and participated in the capture of Mexico City.

On 16 June 1849, Major Arnold founded Camp Worth, overlooking the Trinity River. He named it in honor of the recently deceased General Worth. Later that year it was designated as Fort Worth and it was the nucleus of the present city.

Death and Burial

Major Ripley A. Arnold died on 6 September 1853 at Fort Graham in Hill County, TX. He was killed in a duel with Dr. Josephus M. Steiner when he went to arrest the doctor for drunkenness or disturbing the peace.

Originally buried at Fort Graham, Arnold's remains were brought back to Fort Worth for a second burial in Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX.