The Anaconda standard., 1898-02-06
SECOND CENTURY is BEGUN.
Oscar sullivan of Waiworth, Wis, Robust
10a.


Chicago Chronicle.
In this village there is an old man.
Oscar Sullivan. who has lived for 104
years. If he lives until 1900 he Will have
lived in three centuries. This is an age
and privilege granted to but few per-
sons. 1t is anticipated by the old man,
who is strong and hearty and his
friends with much increasing interest
and Dardonable pride
Mr.. Sullivan was born near Killarney.
Ireland, in 1898, where he lived until he
was 81 years old He emigrated to
America and settled in Walworth, where
he has since made his home. He was the
youngest of nine children, all of whom
lived to a good old age. He has thrice
been married and as many times Wild
owed. He was the father. 10 the best of
his recollection, of II children, all of
whom he has outliVed. He is at present
1enderly cared for by a son of the fourth
generation. and his family. all of whom
vie with each other in efforts to make
his extreme old age comfortable and
happy.
Grandpa Sullivan, as he is familiar
ly called, is well-preSerVed. genial, in
telligent man. educated beyond the ave-
rage of his day and generation. He is
a gardener by profession, Catholic by
faith, democratic in politics and Amerl-
can by adoption. His memory. particu-
larly Of events of his earlier manhood, is
IIluSudily SOOu. ne @tlntSSeu Nguttii
Nictoria's coronation. He saw her we'd
ding procession, also the funeral pro
Cession of her cunsort. Prince Albert, and
is well up in the history of that day.
These events he relates in story form to
children that cluster around him for
just one more story.
He served seven years in the standing
army of Great Britain, first as private
soldier, later as commissioned officer.
and would have enlisted i'll the war of
the rebellion but that his advanced
years prevented He. however, did ac
tive, etfiectual service at home in the
way of relief work to the army. travel
ing and driving many days and miles
collecting vegetables that We're shipped
by the carload to the boys in blue
At the same time he superintended the
working of a large farm whose head
was off to the war
Last election day Grandpa Sullivan"
walked unaided to the polls and deposit
ed his vote. as he has on all previous
election days since his vote became le-
gal, and as he strongly asserts he shall
continue to do for years TO come. Fe is
unique character. boasting he never
has and never will have his picture
taken. He shuns publicity and has a
horror of press mention.
Scarcely a day of this unusually mild
Wisconsin winter but has seen him in
his yard caring for his flock of hens,
geese ducks and turkeys that with but
little help he has raised TO a market
able size. using the proceeds of their sale
for his own comforts and necessities. He
is also quite faithful in church attend
ance, keeping run of fast, feast, holy
days and church obserVances unaided.
His sight known as second sight, is
good permitting him to read the news
papers, in which he delights. A short
time thereafter he can converse upon
topics he reads, but his memory soon
reverts to the times of his earlier man
hood.
Mr.. Sulivan's form Is robust, upright.
his weight about $50 pounds his height
feet inches and complexion fair. He
has merry blue eyes and a wealth of sill
Yer, curly hair with a beard to match.
on his 105d birthday friends gave him a
little birthday surprise that he seemed
heartily to enjoy, entering into the spirf
of the occasion unaffectedly, even sug
gesting the playing of games common
on festive occasions in his boyhood
days He is already planning some lit
third century Of his life il he lives until
then.
4 marked attribute of this aged man
IL his sunny. cheerful disposition, almost
entirely free from the usual grabbed
crustiness Of advanced years. His love
of childish pasJimes Is also great, as
well as his pleasure in outdoor pas
times, such as walking and riding, While
he casts many an almost envious glance
at the cyeler. The next century's dawn
win be widely celebrated in Wisconsin
in as widely different manner. but this
part Of the state hopes Ia unite with
Grandpa sullivan" in the celebration
Of his having lived in portion OF three
centuries.