The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15
OLDEST LIVING RESIDENT.
OGA ASA -
Mr.. VIM. c. Upchurch, Celebrates HIS So'n
Birthday Today---sketch of his Life

Mr. William C. Upchurch will today
celebrate his Goth birthday. The celebra-
ton of ones birthday which is an every
dav occurrence is not of especial interest
to anv one in particular, but this BIRTH
day of Mr.. w. C. Upchurch is one OF IN
terest to Raleigh's citizens for today ne
has resided in Raleigh longer IMAM ah5
living man, and he alone can tell OIL
what Raleigh was in the year of 1883
Mr. Upchurch was born in this county
on February 18th. 1918, and came 10
Raleigh in 1888, where he has been ever
since. He went into the mercantile
business on Hargett street and never
moved, and for sixty-eight years until
he retired two years ago, SO years old,
he dealt out goods to customers. He
lives today in the same house he went
into when he first came here seventy
years ago.-and there ne has lived ever
since without change.
a News and Observer reporter called
upon Mr. Upchurch at his home on Will
mingtOn street yesterday afternoon, and
ascertained many things of interest to
Raleigh people. Mr.. Upchurch said he
was rot shy of newspaper men for he
liked to read the news, and he knew that
other people did.
Tell me something of Raleigh when
you reached here seventy years ago? the
reporter asked him.
With a clear and distinct voice for a
man of his years, he commenced by say
ing: When ! arrived here there was
only five brick or stone buildings in the
city, and only three of them now re-
main. The house in which DR.. NJ. NJ
Marshall lives, the Presbyterian church
and DR.. Haywood's house, opposite the
new Presbyterian church. The capitol
had just begun to be built. and / saw the
first stones laid for the foundation, and
watched it's construction from day to day
until lit was finished.
You were not in the war, were you, Mr..
Upchurch?
No. | was to old for that and left that
for the younger generation.
How are you going to celebrate your
birthday? was asked him.
Tomorrow morning l shall arise early
as usual and probably may make a visit
to my children in this city, but l have
so many it would require a great deal
of walking. They generally always come
to see me though. and l may not go out
so we'll and greet them one by one as
they come.
Mr.. Upchurch says there is. only one
man living in Raleigh today who was
here when he arrived and that is DR..
Hogg. and he was a small boy then. He
is possessed of a most remarkable mem
DRY, and save for a slight defect in hear
ing, his faculties are good. He is great
lover of reading the newspapers, and
every morning he waits on his front porch
for the carrier to come. He has 10
need for glasses in the day time, but
uses them at night. He has reared q
large family of children, most of whom
are living in this city and are amon5
cur very best citizens.
Mr.. Upcurch never married but once,
and his wife died about four years ago.
He was the father of ten children and
he now has forty-two grand children and
thirty-fve great grand children living.
There is no. inducement which can be
offered TO hfin to get him to leave his
old hCme.
The hopes of the citizens of Raleigh
are that his life may still be prolonged
and that he may live many years 10
interest the younger generation in Raj
eigh's history. seventy years ago.