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History of Du Page County, Illinois

By Rufus Blanchard Published 1882 O.L. Baskin & co. Historical publishers Chicago

COL. C. P. J. ARION, real estate and farming, P. 0. Wheaton, was born in Jefferson County, Ky.; was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. When about eighteen years of age, he purchased one-half interest in the Indiana Republican, published at Madison, Ind., and was connected with the paper for upward of twelve years, during which time he became the sole editor and proprietor, finally selling his paper, which became the Republican Banner, under which name it again came into his possession for a short period, he selling out, and engaged in the mercantile business, establishing the first book and stationery business in Madison, where he also conducted the wholesale grocery and iron store business.

In 1858, he went to Chicago, where he engaged in the job printing business, and later took a position at the head of the dead letter department, where he remained for seven years, after which he engaged in real estate business, and in 1871 retired to his farm, one mile southwest of Wheaton, where he has lived since. During the past five years, he has carried on a real estate office in Wheaton.

Col. Arion, as might be judged from his career, early took an active interest in politics. As a Henry Clay Whig, he represented Jefferson County in the Indiana Legislature, and later was elected a member of the State Senate. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and took an active part in the canvass for Lincoln. He has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Lucretia Givens, was a native of Kentucky; she and their six children all since deceased. The second marriage was to Mrs. Beson, formerly Miss Helen M. Test, daughter of Judge John Test, and aunt to Gen. Lew Wallace.