Mrs. Margaret Van Arsdol, wife of Isaac Van Arsdol, died at their home in Clarinda Friday night, Sept. 13, 1912, in the ninety-first year of her age. She had been a resident of Clarinda or its vicinity for over fifty-eight years, and in the recent Home Coming day exercises at the Clarinda Chautauqua assembly, Aug. 23, occupied a seat on the Chautauqua platform with her husband and other pioneers of Page county, la. She was in fairly good health until about a week before her death, when she accidentally fell in her home, and suffered pain in consequence of her fall, but her physician found that no bones were broken. However, from the time of her fall she seemed to decline. She passed away at an advanced age, peacefully, as one who had lived her allotted time. She left a precious memory behind her, to her loved ones, and her splendid womanly character was a most admirable example to those who survive her.
The funeral of the late Mrs. Van Arsdol was held Monday afternoon at the home at the corner of Eighteenth and Garfield streets, where she had so long resided. The services were conducted by Rev. William Stevenson, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, assisted by Rev. Robert A. Cameron, pastor of the Presbyterian church. The singers were Mrs. J. G. Scroggs, Miss Amy Chiles, Glen Foster and Claude Annan. The hymns sung were "Asleep in Jesus," "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," and "Softly Now the Light of Day." Mr. Stevenson read the following obituary at the funeral:
"Margaret Ribble was born March 19, 1822, near Blacksburg, Montgomery county, Va. She was the third child in a family of thirteen children. Her father was George Ribble, whom all old Clarinda settlers knew and highly respected. When Margaret was eight years old her father with his family moved to Delaware county, Ind., settling near Muncie. When 17 years of age she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued that relationship through life. She was the last surviving charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Clarinda. Nov. 19, 1844, she was married to Isaac Van Arsdol. In September, 1853, her husband brought his family to Iowa and they wintered near Des Moines. April, 1854, they came to Clarinda and settled on the farm now owned by A. A. Berry, where they lived until the fall of 1892, when they moved into their new home on West Garfield street. Mrs. Van Arsdol died Sept. 13, 1912. She was the mother of six children, five of whom with her husband still survive her. The living children are as follows: Mrs. Mary Ellen Woods, Clarinda, la.; Luther, Los Angeles, Calif.; C. C, Clarkston, Wash.; George B., Waterloo, la.; Mrs. Sarah J. Burrell, Husted, Colo. There are now living sixteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren. Two of Mrs. Van Arsdol's brothers and three sisters yet live to feel their loss. Words cannot express the lovable character and great influence of this quiet, unselfish Christian woman. Honoring her husband, domestic in taste, gentle in spirit, and keenly alive to the needs of each member of her family, and all others about her, she reigned a queen in her home for nearly sixty-eight years. Years ago many young people stopped, at different times, in that home while they attended school. Each one who did so found there, not only shelter and board, but a real mother. Those friends who knew her best, loved her most. Her everyday life was a benediction, for, she lived the religion she professed. She has passed from our sight but will always live in the good she did for others. Surely she has heard the Master's commendation, 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me.' "
From a distance, a son of the deceased, George B. Van Arsdol, was in attendance at the funeral of his mother. Interment was in the Clarinda cemetery. The pallbearers were J. N. Miller, Dr. J. P. Brown, C. A. Lisle, G. F. Fisher, H. R. Spry and W. L. Pedersen. PAGE COUNTY DEMOCRAT, Clarinda, Iowa, Sep 19, 1912

Margaret Ribble was born March 19, 1822, near Blacksburg, Montgomery county, Virginia, and died September 13, 1912, at her home in this city. She was the third child in a family of thirteen children. Her father was Mr. George Ribble, whom all old Clarinda settlers knew and greatly respected.
When Margaret was about 8 years old her father with his family moved to Delaware county, Indiana, settling near Muncie.
When 17 years of age she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued that relationship through life. She was the last surviving Charter member of the M. E. church in Clarinda.
November 19, 1844, she was married to Mr. Isaac Van Arsdol. In September, 1853, her husband brought his family to Iowa and they wintered near Des Moines.
April, 1854, they came to Clarinda and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. A. A. Berry, where they lived until the fall of 1892, when they moved into their new home on west Garfield street.
She was the mother of six children, five of whom with her husband still survive her. The living children are as follows: Mrs. Mary Ellen Woods, Clarinda, Iowa; Luther, Los Angeles, California; C. C., Clarkston, Washington; George B., Waterloo, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah J, Burrell, Husted, Colorado.
There are now livng sxteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Two of Mrs. Van Arsdol's brothers and three sisters yet live to feel their loss.
Words cannot express the lovable character and great influence of this quiet, unselfish Christian woman. Honoring her husband, domestic in taste, gentle in spirit, and keenly alive to the needs of each member of her family, and all others about her, she reigned a queen in her home for nearly sixty-eight years.
Years ago many young people stopped, at different times, in that home while they attended school. Each one who did so found not only shelter and board, but a real mother. (At the funeral services Rev. Stevenson brought a message of consolation from Rev. A. A. Thompson, who was one of those students). Those friends who knew her best, loved her most. Her everyday life was a benediction, for, she lived the religion she professed. She has passed from our sight, but will always live in the good she did for others.
Surely she has heard the Master's commendation, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me."
The funeral services, were held Monday afternoon from the home on Garfield street, conducted by Rev. Wm. Stevenson, assisted by Rev. Robt. A. Cameron. Of the children, George, of Waterloo, and Mrs. Mary Woods, of this city, were present. One of her brothers, David Ribble, is a resident of Clarinda, Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs Jas. Scroggs, Miss Amy Chiles, Messrs. Claude Annan and Glenn Foster. CLARINDA HERALD, Clarinda, Iowa, Sep 19, 1912