The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-05-29

over los Year. Of Age.

z months and @ days. 't.l 4
IL is given 10 but few men TO pass
the limit OF fourscove wears, and there
Is probably not another man living of
the remarkable age which Mr.. Huntley
attained-certainly not one who retains
his faculties, health and strength as
this man did. His history is not as
conspicuous as has been that OF many
Others. but it abounds with interest
ing "reminiscences. We would gladly
give much space to the honorable rec
ord OF his humble but usefnl life, yet
We are obliged 10 be brief. IL was new
er our fortune TO see or make the ac-
quaintance OF Mr.. Huntley, but from
one of his relatives we CLEAN few OF
the material facts and features OF his
life which we gladly give to the reader.
Abner Huntley was born In Norwich.
Connecticut, August 4th, 17t7. years
before the Revolutionary war, OF which,
to the close OF his life. he retained a
clear and concise recollection. His pa
rents removed from Norwich to Albany
county in this State while he was yet a
young lad, and thence after some years
to Herkimer county, where he was mar
ried To Miss Margaret Mccarthy. The
young couple doom after found home
in the town OF Seneca. Ontario Co,
where their children, four in number.
three daughters and one son, we're
born. OF these. only the son survives.
MIR. Henry Huntley OF Scio, man now
over seventy years OF age. .0.f 60
Mrs. Huntley lived TO the age Of S5,
and died at Cuba, since which the hus-
band has lived mainly, We believe,
with his children, waiting full score
OF years 10 be called to meet her.
Mr.. and Mrs. Huntley removed from
Ontario county to Cuba in this county,
abont the year 1921 or 1922, where he
has tince resided, with the exception
Of the greater part of the past year,
during which he has lived with his son
at Scio. I,-.f 80 t
At the time of his death there sur
vived among his relatives one son, 10
grandchildren, % great.grandchildren
and 3 great-great- grandchildren; and
his friends were legion, for he was al
ways a citizen aud neigLbor esteemed
for his kindness OF heart, generosity,
cheerfulness and benevolence. vi -
His education was limited. Ii is
said that he did not learn to read until
he was City years OF age, aud was
taught 10 read by his wife. In his old
age this proved TO be an inestimable
blessing. as. after his hearing became
impaired. he depended upon his bible
aud the public prints for consolation
aud the passing events OF the day.
He was always farmer, and always
lived comfortably, never attaining
wealth or marked distinction, and was
never envious Of those who did. He
was plain and practical, honest, indus
trious and upright. temperate aud to
an uuusual degree generous aud kind
hearted. .. .....
Mr.. Huntley was passionately fond
of horses, and was known far and wide
as IN expert at breaking aud training
colts.
Although not politician, in the ac-
cepted sense Of that term, he was new
ertheless a warm party man true,
loyal, patriotic man-voting steadily
aud stnrdily the Republican ticket foI
twenty years and never Democrat
He has voted for every President OF
the United States except Hayes, (be-
ing too iDfirm TO vote last fall, and at
every other Presidential election except
Wsshington's first term.
He was specially noted for his hos.
pitality at home. When the meal time
came the passing stranger was Just az
liable to be impressed for service as
the neighbor. even though the good
wife often complained that she was not
prepared for company" There was
always room at Abner Huntley's table,
and always something to eat for citizen
or stranger. lr .4pf
His personal habits were particular
ly exemplary. Although in early life
he sometimes used spirits moderately
even spsringly, as a beverage, he never
formed habit OF drinking, aud du
ring the last fifty years OF his life hs
drank neither liquor, wine, ale or eli
der. Tobacco in any form he never
used. at.q.r t....s. ,-,,
At the age OF 10 lie joined the Con
gregational Church at Cuba, and main
tanned q consistent membership there
with until his death, although. dnripS
the later years of his life, on acconn'
of deafness. he attended church bu'
little, but was constant reader OF hi
bible. tf 49, SlIei.
When little over 100 years OF age
he joined the orderOf Good Templars
aud for several years was prominen
aud active member OF that organiza
tion. - Nar etr,eI1 - /
Reaching the fnll measure OF ON
hundred yesrs, and being yet strong
and vigorous, with health, strength
and faculties still unimpaired, tsav,
that OF hearing), Mr.. Huntley becam'
generally known and noted for his won
derful longevity. The local papers
aud indeed the press OF the State
we're pleased to speak OF the Allegan,
centenarian with marked respect an,
pride. In August Of the year whicl
completed his one-hundredth anpiyer
sary, he visited Niagara Co., aud ih
following which was then Published II
the Lockport Journal aud Courier, vii
be recalled with interest: \, -. ..si.-
| "Centenarian seldom do We Sc
this word IN PRINT, and even then. "
only confer on IL q casual glance. Cen
tenarian, q man one hundred years oil
"a thing OF the past and yet on
among ms. Realize that You were yes
tertlay talking with person who qurt
I
of King George, aud To whom the De
claration of Independence is distinctl
recollected, together with the publi
} reioicings; the departure Of bis fathe
for the seat Of war in i1T6; his retnr
ON u furlough in l7S0; bis anxiety I
offer himself for his country when Sc,
enteep years OF age. met by the sturl
refusal of his mother; snah were III
,opics upon which yesterday conyerl
ed with Mr.. Abper Hnntley, FROM CT
ba. Allegany County. n. Y. who Wa
on q visit 10 has relativos on the DAl
iels road, one mile east Of this place.
He was born in l765 and celebrate
! his one hundredth birthday, al hl
house on Sunday, Aug. Itlis He N
, dne looking man. smart and active
; walks without the use Of cane
! dresses aud sI,ayes himself, and rides
colt every day that he broke 10 u
saddle two years ago. The old gentl
man narrates colt~breaking ,experiep'
: with some animation. Placing n stis
! evenly balanced on his forefinger,
, says "2i is Just like this; lose yo'
> balance and. you are OF You kcs
= your balance and you are all righl. =
, Has votes, for sixteen Presidents OF Il
United States, aud never missed 9
{ tending yearly tines. Ia an
IA ger TO question IL he ever voted u
J, Democratic ticket, lac repliel nth
snappish txprcssis n, "No, nj" IL
really amusing 10 hear him descril
his original ideas OF railroads, cana
N steamboats, the telegraph. sc. IN
N AT TINA ho axsr rois ON n railrooi