Lieutenant Colonel John Elliott Arthur, of Reading, came to the 93rd Regiment as Captain of Company B, and was commissioned October 12, 1861, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, September 1st, 1862, and was discharged on Surgeon's certificate November 14, 1862.
At the breaking out of the Mexican War he enlisted in Captain Thomas Leoser's company, which was raised in Reading, and assigned to the Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment. He participated in the siege of Vera Cruz, and with General Scott's army marched into the city of Mexico. While the assault on Chapultepec was being made he was wounded. After one and one half year's service he returned to Reading, being discharged on account of wounds.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he recruited Company B, of the 93rd Regiment, and his company was assigned to the left of the Regiment, the second position of honor. He participated in the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, Seven Day's fighting before Richmond, after which he was compelled to resign by reason of ill health.
He was an intimate friend of Lieutenant Colonel John W. Johnston, both having served in the Mexican War, an excellent drill-master, quiet in his demeanor, gentlemanly in his conduct, a strict disciplinarian and cool and brave officer in battle. No officer in the Regiment was held in higher esteem than Lt. Col. Arthur, and his severance with the Regiment was a loss that could not be replaced.
He was born in Muncy township, Lycoming county, April 25, 1826, where he attended the public schools and learned the blacksmith trade. He became a citizen of Reading at the age of 19 years, and connected himself with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company and became Assistant Foreman.
During the emergency call for troops during the invasion of Pennsylvania, he recruited a company, which was assigned to the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and of which command he was made Lieutenant Colonel.
After the expiration of this service, he returned to the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Company, and in 1870 was chosen City Treasurer, and at the ensuing election he received the unanimous nomination of both political parties, and in all served seven terms, a period of fourteen years as the City's Treasurer, when in 1885 he retired.
In 1887 he was the Democratic candidate for Mayor against James R. Kenney, and was defeated for the office by but 104 votes.
No one stood higher as a citizen of Reading and was one of the best known and most highly respected residents of that city. He died from heart disease at Reading.
Penrose G. Mark. Red, White, and Blue Badge: Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers. A History of the 93rd Regiment, known as the "Lebanon Infantry" and One of the 300 Fighting Regiments" from September 12th, 1861 to June 27th, 1865. Harrisburg, PA: Aughinbaugh Press, 1911, pp. 548-549.
Contributed by: Nancy.