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Alma L. Witmer Arnold

Quiltmaker

  Warsaw, Indiana, United States    

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Alma L. Witmer Arnold was born on February 21, 1887 in Indiana. Her parents, Henry Witmer (1858-1946) and Susan Berkey (1866-1956), were both children of farmers although Henry made his living as a carpenter.

In 1904, she married Arla “Oder” Arnold (1884-1966) and they began farming in Clay Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. The farm was located across the street from Oder’s parents’ farm (Amanda Garman (1864-1939) and Emsley A. Arnold (1861-1938). Alma and Oder had one daughter, Willodean, born later that year. 

Their only grandchild, Beverly Ingalls Lyons, was born in 1940. Along with Beverly’s maternal grandmother, Mary Leiter Ingalls, Alma passed along a love of quilting and crocheting to her granddaughter. 

Alma and Oder were married more than 60 years until Oder’s death in 1966. She was a member of the Claypool United Methodist Church. Alma died on September 27, 1970 in Claypool, Indiana.

 

When was the quiltmaker born?

February 21, 1887

Date and place of death.

September 27, 1970

Ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

The Arnold surname is English, with the first Arnold on our line that came to America being Anthony Arnold born 1635 in Yorkshire, England. Witmer is German with the first on our line to sail to America being John Jacob Witmer, born 1667 in Herxheim bei Landau, Südliche Weinstraße, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany).

Educational background:

Some school

Religious affiliation:

Claypool United Methodist Church, Claypool, Indiana

Occupation (if retired, former occupation):

Farm wife

Where was the quiltmaker born?

Indiana (IN), United States

Where did the quiltmaker grow up?

Rural

Spouse's/Spouses' name(s):

Arla “Oder” Arnold

How did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

From relative

Why does/did the quiltmaker quilt:

Pleasure

Estimate the number of quilts made by this maker:

1-5 quilts

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