Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1889 — SHE LAYS ASIDE HER PIPE. [ARTICLE]

SHE LAYS ASIDE HER PIPE.

It Is Time to Swear OH for She Is Years Old. Ohio has come to the front as the State for centenarians, and there is quite a rivalry existing between several of our communities as to which can produce the most aged person. Pickaway County takes the lead at present, as she undoubtedly has the oldest citizen in the State. The person referred to is Mrs. Margaret Arnold, who lives with her son, Henry Arnold, on a 1,000acre farm, through which runs the dividing line of Pickaway and Fayette counties. The correspondent called at the home of Mrs. Arnold and secured a reliable account of her life. As she lies in bed continually it was necessary for us to have her placed in a chair in order to obtain her photograph, which was the first one that had been taken for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Margaret Arnold w as born near Richmond, Va., July 4, 1777. Her father, Mr. Robert Baser, had twelve children, four of whom are living—three daughters and one son. Margaret was a remarkably beautiful girl, and she was married to Mr. Frederick Arnold when quite young. Her husband died over seventy years ago and she has remained in widowhood ever since. She removed from her native State to Cliillicothe, Ohio, where she remained but one winter. From Chillicothe she removed to a farm in Fayette County and followed the occupation of a tailoress. She made her home, after this, in Illinois for twenty-seven years, and ultimately returned to Ohio, where she lias since been living with her son. Her health is excellent. She has a fine appetite and can eat as large a dinner as the sturdiest harvest hand. No physician has ever been called to attend her as she has never been sick a day in her life. Although a smoker of tobacco for seventy years, she has at last laid the pipe aside, finding no further comfort in it. Mrs. Arnold is 5 feet 2 inches in height and weighs 110 pounds. She has a remarkable constitution, and some who know her think she may hold out until her 125th year. Her five children —two daughters and tluee sons—have been attentive to her necessities, and the son with whom she lives at present cares for her tenderly. As hitherto stated, Mrs. Arnold has two sisters and one brother living. Her eldest sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Hillard, is living in Lynn County, lowa, having been twice mamed. She is 115 years of age. The other sister, Mrs. John Bailey, lives in Dakota, and is 109 yeftrs of age. She is a 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 brother, is still alive at the old homestead near Richmond, Va., and is 104 years of age. There is doubtless not another family in the United States or in the world that can show such a wonderful record: Ages.. Mrs. Elizabeth Hillard .115 Mrs Margaret Arnold 113 Mrs. John'Bailey 109 William Kiser 104 Total number of years 440 Average age of each lie Each one of these venerable old people has lived during the administration of every President of the United States and during the greater part of the eventful period of the national history. The last work performed by Mrs. Arnold was about three years ago, when she knit a pair of stockings for her little grandson. These stockings have been preserved as mementos to show the good character of the wo£k done by Mrs. Arnold when she was 108 years of age. Her eyesight, hearing, and vocal organs have almost failed her, and she comprehends but little that is going on about her, her eyes being almost closed. She always knows, however, when there are strangers in the room.—Letter from\Washington Court-House, O.