West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-05-23
SHE LAYS ASIDE HER PIPE.
II Is Time to swear ON. for shs Is liz
Years Old.

Ohio has come to the front "a the
State for centenarians, and there is
quite rivalry existing between several
of our communities as To which can
produce the most aged person. Picka-
way County takes the lead at present,
as she undoubtedly has the oldest citi-
zen IN the State. The person referred
to is Mrs. Margaret Arnold, who lives
with her son, Henry Arnold, on n /, 900
acre farm, through which runs the
dividing line of Pickawny and Fayette
counties.
The correspondent called at the home
OF Mrs. Arnold and secured n reliable
account of her life. As she lies in bed
continually it was necessary for us to
have her placed in chair in order 10
obtain her photograph, which was the
first one that had been taken for
twentyseven years.
Mrs. Margaret Arnold was born near
Richmond, Va, July 4, 1777. Her
father, Mr.. Robert Kiser, had twelve
children, four of whom are living-three
daughters and one son. Margaret was
remarkably beautiful girl, and she
was married to Mr.. Frederick Arnold
when quite young. Her husband died
over seventy years ago and she has re-
manned in widowhood ever since. She
removed from her native State TO Chill
hcothe, Ohio, where she remained but
one winter. From Chillicothe she re-
moved to n farm in Fayette County and
followed the occupation of tailoress
She made her home, after this, in Hi.
nois for twenty-seven years, and ulti-
mately returned to Ohio, where she has
since been living with her son.
Her health is excellent. She has n
fine appetite and can eat as large
dinner as the sturdiest harvest hand.
No physician has ever been called to
attend her as she has never been sick
n day in her life. Although n smoker
Of tobacco for seventy years, she has at
last laid the pipe aside, finding no fur
ther comfort in it.
Mrs Arnold is . feet Q inches in
height and weighs 10 pounds. She
has remarkable constitution, and
some who know her think she may
hold out until her 125th year. Her
five children-two daughters and three
sons-have been attentive TO her
necessities, and the son with whom
she lives at present cares for her ten
derby.
AS hitherto stated, Mrs. Arnold has
two sisters and one brother living. Her
eldest sister, Mrs Elizabeth Hillard.
Is living in Lynn County, Iowa, having
been twice married. She is 115 years
of age.
The other sister, Mrs. John Bailey.
lives in Dakota, and is 100 years of
age. She is healthy old lady and
walks about without assistance. Her
eyesight is excellent, and she is likely
TO retain her physical vigor for many
years TO come
William Kiser the only living broth
er, Is still alive at the old homestead
near Richmond, Va, and is 1Ol years
of age. There is doubtless not another
family in the United States or in the
world that can show such q wonderful
record:
A.. r,,.o,..,, ,,r., Ages.
MIS- EliZaOeth lhIard ........................1
Mrs Margaret Arnold ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l1q
Mrs JOhn BAILEY. 100
Total number Of years 40
Average age Of each lie
Each one of these venerable old peo.
pie has lived during the administra.
ton of every President OF the United
States and during the greater part OF
the eventful period OF the national his
tory.
The last work performed by Mrs.
Arnold was about three years ago. when
she knit pair Of stockings for her lit.
tie grandson. These stockings have
been preserved as mementos 10 show
thc good character Of the work done
by Mrs. Arnold when she was los years
Of age.
Her cyesiQht, hearing, and vocal or.
gans have almost failed her. and she
comprehcnds but little that is going on
about her, her eyes being almost closed.
She always knows, however. when
there are strangers in the room Let
teT from. WdshHgtoa CO1trt House. o.