Aged Matron Dies at Home In Hartford

Added by lanaf73 on 17 May 2009

This is a article written from the Hartford Paper in 1935 (Posted by Lana Pugh/Freeman) Arzula's great great granddaughter).

Mrs. Arzula Steele, On of Country's Oldest Women, Succumbs Friday at age of 112 years.

Hartfor Ark. Feb. 1, 1935- (special)

Mrs. Arzula Steele, one of the country's oldest women, died her at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the age of 112 years.

She died at the home of her son, B.F. Steele, Hartford farmer, when she came to visit more than a year ago and stayed because she "liked it" better than her native AL. Her death culminated a gradual weakening of the stout heart which had left her bed-ridden for the last two months.

With 239 direct lineal descendants, she was alert and vigorous almost to the time of her death. She did not ttribute her longevity to fads of her own heartiness but rather to the generosity of a kind God.

I'm here by the will of the Father above, who has left breathe in me, "she said more than a year ago, "but I'm thinking now of heaven and rest...rest...rest."

Her greatest joys in her declining days were the times when spent recounting from her store of memories of by-gone eras her experiences in AL. Born Oct. 1823, at Willis Valley, Lawrence County, Albama, she has lived to follow the lives of every president of the United States with the expecption fo the first four. James Madison was President when she was born, and she could recall incidents in the life of every president from Madison down to the nation's present executive.

Work Was Her Motto

Dawning of the depression never dampened the ardor of Mrs. Steele..."Work will win, " She told her children. This was her motto and in precticing it she set her descendants a difficult mark to better. All her life she was proud she had worked hard and in her youger days had borne her share of the burden maintaining a large family. In her prime she could pick as much as 400 pounds of cotton in a day. Once, when she was 104, she picked 104 pounds of cotton, "just to help out."

Responsiblillites of life began early for Mrs. Steele. When a young girl she had moved form her birth place to Attawomba County, Mississippi. She had been born Arzula Sample.

When she was almost 16, she was married to Calvin Martin. Three children were born to the union. Outbreak of the Civil War sent her husband into the midst of the conflict. He was killed in the war.

Following the war Mrs. Martin was married to John. W. Steele. Mr. Steele served as surveyor of Winston County, AL, for 30 years. Six children were born to the Steeles.

Earley Marketing Recalled

Mrs. Steele watched the world's progress complacently and availed herself of the gradual improvments in transportation. Whenever it pleased her, often she recalled her girlhood when she rode to church atop a horse. Often she recalled, she was seated behind her beau. Then there were the twice a year treks in ox wagons over the 60 miles to the nearest market. Cotton, corn, and other staples of the farm were traded for sugar, salt, and whole bolts of cloth. Her own Sunday best was made from cotton and woolen materials she had carded, spun and wove herself.

Later came the railroads and automobiles, but she never rode in an airplane. She felt they were too dangerrous.

She came to Sebastian county to visit her son in the winter of 1934. She had not intended to stay when she left AL, but she found things to her liking so she lost all desire to return.

As she become more certian death was near, she made one request.. that she be buried in Springhill cemetery, west of Monroe, Okla. She will be laid to rest there Sunay aftenoon following a servie at 1:30 p.m. at the Hartford Assembly of God curch. Rev. W.W. Childers, pastor will conduct the service.

She is survied by one daughter, Mrs. Dovie Millican, Haleyville, AL., and three sons, B.F. Steele, Hartford, J.C. Steele, Double Springs, AL., and L. T. Steele, Etheridge, Tenn.

This article was when she became ill.

AGED MATRON IS SERIOUSLY ILL AT HOME NEAR HARFORD

Hartfor Ark., Jan. 30,...(Special)

Mrs. Arzula Steele, 112 years old, was reported to be sinking rapidly Thursday at the home of her son, B.F. Steele, Hartford farmer.

Mrs. Steele's condition was described as critial. She has lost strength gradually in recent months and has been confinded to bed for the last two moinths.

A native of AL, mrs. Steele came her in 1934 to live with her son. With more than 235 lineal decendants, she is one of the oldest living persons in the entire nation. She was born Oct. 12, 1823, at Willis Valley Lawrence county, AL and was the mother of three chilren when her first husband, Clavin Marin, was killed while serving in the Civil War. Her second husband John W. Steel, served as county surveyor of Winston County, AL, for many years.

Died Friday 4:30

Additional information about this story

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Attached to Arzula Samples (1823 - 1935)