The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-11-22
The Oldest Man-0ne Hundred and
Eight Years Old
From the Wooster 20. J Democrit

from the wooster tO.) Democrie.
There is residing at this me in the vii
lage of Jefferson, Plain Township, Wayne
Comfy, Ohio, fse miles west of Wooster,
the oldest man IN the State OF Ohio, aud
probably in the United States.
His name is John Folgate. He was
born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. in
the month of February, 1859, making him
one hundred and eight years old He EN-
irrated to Ohio in 1929. and has lived,
since that time. an industrious, quiet, I'M
ob'rusive life in Jefferson. He was consc-
quently seventy years of age when he set
lied in that rlisge-haying already attained
the period in life designated in Holy Writ
as the usual limit Of human existence, and
at which most men, under the burden of SO
many years. die:
Physically he is rather small--probably
under medium-but exhibits compact
form and a we'll constructive body, which,
no doubt eighty years ago, was one of
physical excellence and muscular perfcc-
ton.
He was married at the age Of thirty to
Miss Elizebeth Wolgamott-the very men
ton Of whose name staH0bitter tears in
those old eyes that have Ted him upward
through the darkness and labyrinths of a
century. His wife was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, three years befor.
the battle of Lexington, and three years
had often seen and spoken to Washington.
Her death occurred January 90, lS49 in
her seventy eight year. An only child
was their welded inheritance, and the old
man, who carries upon his back the weight
of we'll nigh million hours, weeps and
wonders that the son, aged 50 years,
should be dead, and the father here.
He was a teams,er in his early years,
about Baltimore, Nd, and in Pennsylva-
MIA, but for the past sixty or seventy
years has been engaged in mechanical la
Dor. He was drafted in the war Of 1872,
shoudered his muskct, but was discharged
on account Of his old ugr-so that titty-fye
years ago he was too far advanced in life
to be a soldier. AT the time he was draft
ed he was keeping tavern alta place call
ed Sporting Hill" near Baltimore.
In politics he was always an old line
Wing but in political as well as social
life, while he had stern convictions, he had
but few preindices.
He was thirty years old when Washing
ton was first made President, and gave him
his vote. lie is old enough to have been
the father of General Jackson and Scott,
and the grandfather Of James K. Polk; he
was eleven years old when Whitelicld, the
leader Of Calvanistic Methodsts died he
might have been the father of Tom Moore
and Lord Byron; the precepter ct Charles
Lamb, and the school mate of Thomas Jef-
ferson, James Madison and Lafayette, who
all long since have been wrapped III the
shroud OF that great unknown mystery OF
death.
His ancestors we're Of the pure German
stock, and his language is the broken
"Pennsylvania Dutch. " His seat in the
sanctuary is seldom vacant, and he is what
may be termed true Christian, not one of
Sunday pretensions, who delights in rehg
ious ostentation of manner, but is the plain
rejecting disciple. In the church he often
starts the hymn himself and leads in the
singing. lie is invariably in good humor
all his tickets, from nature, are stamped
with a smile
For venerable years. hearty and respect
ed old age, we do not believe his parallel
is TO be found in the United States. The
facts narrated here were received from the
lips of the old man himself, who is we'll
known in the county aud can be seen b.,
any one wishing 10 visit him. II mind
seems clear, be is cheerful and communica
tive, works more or less every day out of
doors, and bids fair to live another ten
years. Memory seems to have failed hlm
most, but hi. general faculties are vigorous
and strong.
Said Madame de Stacl 4: ut is difficult
to grow old gracefully" but had she seen
the subject of this sketch, she would have
added, but it is impossible &" He has
grown old gracefully, and without an
enemy.
Ii Byron could say. In my little life |
have outIived kingdoms and empires,
what might be the exclamation Of this old
man?
May he, in the sober decline of mar
velousiy protracted life, continue to enjoy
the calm and rest which is his glory aud
heritage.
If We arc doomed to be Old, and gray,
and feeble, let Us invoke his happy resigna-
ton aud sublime tranquility of mind