The Portland daily press., 1880-02-07
IO2 YEARS OLD.
Death OF Aaron McKenny Of Saco.


Aaron McKenny died very suddenly at 6.2(
o'clock, Friday evening, Feb. 6, 1880, at his
farm residence in Saco, at the great age OF one
hundred and two years, one month and sixteer
days.
He was in full possession of his faculties te
the last moment, and conversed with his
friends within an hour of his death. He was
possessed of remarkable irmness OF purpose
and conducted his own business affairs to the
last day of his life. He was five feet ten inches
in height, and, few years since, his weight
was one hundred and fifty pounds; his eyes
were blue and his hair, before it turned gray,
was dark auburn. The following biographical
sketch was written for ''The Illustrated Histo-
ry of York County,:
Aaron McKenny was the second son of Sam
uel and Lucy (Rand) McKenny, was born in
Scarborough, now Saco, December III, 1777
and in 1893, married Miss Lucy Burnham-
daughter of Thomas and Mollie Burnham-
who was born in Scarborough, now Saco, Feb.
26, TIT, and died Jan. 1S, 1849.
At the time of writing this sketch, October,
1879, Mr.. McKenny is nearly one hundred and
two years old, and so perfectly retains his men,
tai faculties as to give the concise dates and
facts here written. Soon after his marriage ne
settled on the farm where he now resides, and,
on which, during this year Q879) he has erect
ed commoeiou and elegant farm residence,
giving directions for the labor and paying the
men he employed. 1t is the third house he
has built on his farm, the second one having
been destroyed by fire (from defective Chin
ney) April Is, 1879, between the hours OF nine
and ten in the morning.
Mr.. McKenny's first purchase was 81 acres,
and with additions since made, his farm now
contains more than 200 acres. Although his
business throughout his long life has been
farming, in his early days he made and sold
large quantities of shingles, and shaved those,
which form a part of the roof of his new house.
He felled the first tree in settling his farm,
and has lived to see the wilderness become fer
tile and cultivated lands, and to witness the
founding of schools, churches and cities in
which he contributed his full share. especially
in the establishment of the Free Will Baptist
church, near his residence, where for many
wears he was an active member. And, long
time ago. when he withdrew for reasons which
he conceived an usurpation OF his rights, he
did not cease to extend his hospitality to Its
members.
Arthe age of ninety-nine he attended to his
farm work, and labored in the corn-feld, cul-
tiyating piece by himself; and at the age OF
one hundred and two years, he was able to
stand at the mirror and shave himself. lie
now takes an active interest in controlling his
y,
ence of action, when he had lived more than
a century, spurned an attempt to place a
guardian over him.
Mr.. McKenny had three children,-two
daughters and one son,-all of whom died in
infancy He is strictly temperate in his habits,
and has never drunk as beverage any intoxi-
eating liquors. He did not have physician
called to attend him until after he had reached
his one hundredth year. He never sued a
man, or in turned was sued, prior to his one
hundredth birthday anniversary. He was new,
er desirious of holding public offices; and
when, at one time, he was appointed JUS
tice of the Peace by the Governor OF the State,
he declined to accept the honor.
The family of McKenny is noted for
longevity; one brother, Samuel, lived to the
age of ninety-six.
The subject of this sketch has always been
industrious and economical; his business life
has been successful, and for many years he
loaned money to people needing assistance,
but he never accepted more than six per cent
um interest.
He has lived through every administration
of the United States, and is within one year OF
the age of our government. Since he reached
his majority in 1898 he has frequently voted
in Presidential elections through period OF
eighty years.
In the spring Of 1879, an unsuccessful at
tempt was made to place guardian over this
old man. As soon as he heard that men,
whom he had considered fir lends, were serious
ly entertaining the propositions, he wrote the
following:
To My Friends
Certain persons are trying to take my pro perty
out of my hands and to appoint guardian owe me q
protest against this and want an expression OF
public opinion about it. 1 wish my friends to sign
protest. AARON MchENNf.
We the undersigned. friends, neighbors and ac-
ouaintances of Aaron McKenny of Saco, hereby
protest against disturbing him in his old age by the
appointment of guardian or by any forcibe taking
him to be in possession Of his faculties and capable
of managing his own affairs. We consider that any
such action as that mentioned above would be not
only unnecessary but also cruel and improper.
VIM P. Haines, Ferguson Haines, Ezra Carter
Aaron McKenny of Buxton Charles W. Mckenny
Joseph Hobson, T. B. Tolford, j. Mason and large
number of the best men of York and Cumbe rland
counties.