In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1853
From History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910)
PAUL WILLIAM ARP.
Paul William Arp, a brother of Johannes A., was born in Davenport, January II, 1853, d was little more than an infant when his parents removed to the farm adjoining that on which he now lives. He assisted with the cultivation of the homestead until he was married when he engaged in farming for himself, purchasing the eighty acres of land he now owns. He has instituted all the improvements which adorn the place and in the cultivation of the fields displays the skill of the husbandman who is born as well as reared to his vocation. While not one of the larger tracts of land in Hickory Grove township, it may compare favorably with any as regards to fertility and the condition in which Mr. Arp maintains his fields and buildings. He is thrifty, industrious and progressive, and in consequence has won a well merited success from his farming.
In 1903 Mr. Arp was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wellendorf, who was born in Prepstei, Holstein, Germany, January 2, 1857. She came to America in 1901, reaching Davenport July 7 of that year, and there she joined her brother James Wellendorf, who is a resident of that city.
Mr. Arp is a representative of the sturdy German race whose unremitting toil has done so much toward developing the resources of Scott county, and of Hickory Grove township in particular to their highest degree. He enjoys the well earned esteem of his associates and fellow agriculturists. He is a democrat in his political preferences.
As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.