The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-12
A CentenariaD.

In a little row of dilapidatcd brick dwell.
ling houses situated on the south Of Pine
street, between Second and Third streets, Car
ondelet, dwells one Frederick Werneke who,
rs he says, and as far as anyone knows, was
l0l years of age the 9TH day OF the present
month. Mr.. Wernekc was born on the 4th
day Of January, 1875, in the little village of
Harlingcr. OF the river oder IN Prussia, and
according 10 his statement he was Just one
year and six months old at the time OF the
Declaration Of Independence In appear
ance he is remarkably wcll.preserved cen.
tenarian. lie is about five feet five inches in
height, s;outly built and weighs about 125
pounds. Ills torn is siill very erect, and con.
sidering his age he is now as active as the
ma Orily Of the men arc a. fifty. AS an illus
lral:on Of his suppleDeSs, the old man yester-
day morning, in order to show the reporter Of
the RepuJitcdn, who called 10 interview him,
his activity, performed tie feat of standing
On his head In the middle OF the room, and
dangling his feet in the ar with the greatest
apparent case. His eycsight and hearing are
remarkably good, behaving never in his lite
used eyeglasses or compelled one to talk
louder than in IN ordinary conversation for
him TO understand. His habits now, as well
as during the early part of his prolonged ey-
early, and when the weather will permit lie
arises very early and takes long walk about
town. Mr. Wernekc, who is now married to
his second wife, Is the father of fifteen chill
dren, and out OF which number eight arc still
living. He was tlrst married in his native
country al the age OF fifteen, and had by his
first wife seven child!en, two OF whom arc
still living. One, Il son Of eighty years of
age, living on farm about one mile and a
half from FreGericAiUUu, Missouri, aud a
daughter about sixty years Of age, living in
MERGED City, California. This son and daurh-
ter have each reared large families. Mr.
Wernekc cmigrated to this country about the
year 1896 lie first settled in Frcicricktown.
Missouri, where lie lived until few wears
ago, when he moved 10 this CITY. He was
married 10 his second wife, who Is still liy.
Ing, at the age OF 81, or in the year 1856 To
the second wife, who Is now In her Clst year,
eight children were born, SIX of whom are
now living, the eldest being eighteen and the
youngest ten years Of age. The old man, with
The assistance Of his mex, 10 the Oldest son, as
his bushes par;ner-Fho died about three
months ago AT The age Of ,i-bv economy and
energy succeeded, while they lived in Fred.
eiickiow1, IN amassing quite a little fortune.
ne ia'leT anu son kept store, and also ran
farm situated IN tie outskirts OF the above
mentioned village, but between the two ar
mics during the late war, their business was
broken up and the father and son rendered
hankrup,s. Mr. Werneke is now living IN
moderate but comfortable circumstances.
The two eldest Of the second generation of
children ate supporting the family. About
the only desire ihe old man has leii, Is to at
tend the Centennial or pay q visit 10 his
daughter in California before &c Jics-Si.
LeHis Republican