The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-04
NINETY EIGHT IN DECEMBER.
A Maine Man Whose Inordinate Love fol-
Cider Is His Only Ealing.

Maine Man Whose Inordinate Love for
Cider Is His Only Failing.
One of the best authenticated instances of
extreme longevity of the present century is
that of Captain Benjamin Thompson of
North Kennebunkport who will, If he lives
until December 29th, attain his ninety
eighth year, says a Saco (Me.) correspondent
of the Boston Globe.
This remarkable old gentleman resides
with his son, Horace Thompson, in large,
square, old-fashioned house in that quiet
little town where be was born nearly GEN.
tury ago.
Mr.. Thompson is the son OF Benjamin
THOMPSON and Elizabeth (LorD Thompson
and WAS one of a family Of nine children.
His father came TO the "rort" about
1765 and built a log cabin, in which he lived
until 177S, when he erected the house where
the son is passing his last days.
When a boy Mr.. Thompson did not at
tend the village school for the reason that
there was none, hut was taught to read and
write by his mother, who opened school
for the children of the neigh borhood in a
little back room in her house.
At the age of 10 Mr.. Thompson used to
ride an Old gray mare to the village store,
where lac disposed of butter and eggs.
In the year 1916 Mr.. Thompson sailed
from Kennebunkport in the ship Trident
u
thaniel Thompson. He afterward became
mate of this vessel, and followed the sea
for three years
1t was in June, 1919, while in New Or
leans, that his uncle, Captain Thompson,
was taken sick and died.
Benjamin assumed command of the ship.
and after sailing u the West indies lie re-
turned to the port and has never been to
Sea since that time.
He then went to work on the farm tor his
f,tl, nd ht Il
has made money. He raises large crops.
the farm buildings and implements are in
good condition, and about the place there is
evidence of thrift.
When young man Mr.. Thompson was
about feet tall, muscular and active. His
form is now somewhat less erect and his
step less springy than they were half a
century ago, but for all that he is as smart
as a cricket. as he expresses 1t every move
ment of his body denotes remark able SUP
pleness for one OF his age.
He has always enjoyed vigorous health.
and never in his lie has he been sick enough
to require the services of a physician. His
faculties are remarkably acute, and he can
now read newspaper without the aid of
glasses.
He extended cordial greeting to the
writer, who found the old gentleman out in
the barn making cider with an old hand
press.
He works hard every day Of his life, doing
tne cnoIeS aoO-t tHt larln, ana he says he
feels just AS smart as he did fifty years ago.
He is great talker, and his "reminiscences
and anecdotes of the early years of the pres
ent century are both interesting and in
structive.
NO" said he. "but few people take me
to be over 70, but l shall be 9S years old in
December"
On June 8, 1921, when in his twenty eighth
year, Mr. Thompson married Matilda
Smith, with whom he lived until her death.
few years ago. They had six children.
OF whom two are living, Horace and Mary
f., who make their home with their father.
His habits through life have been yery
simple. He has never used tobacco or lid
uors. but is quite fond of cider, which he
takes as regularly as his meals.
During the early years of the Democratic
party Mr.. Thompson voted that ticket. and
one could always find him at the pools cleo
tion day.
When the temperance party arose he
joined that organization. although he takes
bat little interest in politics at the present
time
When speaking Of the campaign in 1892
however. he said that if Tom Reed OF Port
land received the nomination for President
heJ kinder thought he should 60 to town
mpatinp