The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-30

6. 19os. early became converted and In 18E was ordained minister in the Black River conference of New York, now the Northern New York Conference District.
 Rev. MT. Alden will on November next celebrate his s7th birthday. Plans are now progressing for this unusual event, which will be observed at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Martha Wood. with whom he has lived for many years.
 Rev. Mir. Alden is not the decrepit or bent man one would expect to see for a person of his years. He is quite active, takes abundant exercise in the way of long walks each day. and has a bright memory for his old acquaintances, reccg- nizing their faces and calling them by name very readily
 Byron Alden was born in Hinesburg VI. November 6. 1906, his parents being Rufus Alden and Sally White Alden, pio- neers of Vermont. His father died in his 96th year. but the mother was called to her reward long before she had attained that age Byron embraced religion at an early age, was licensed to preach in 1S37 at Nicholville, N. r., by Rev. George c. Woodruff; admitted to trial in 1888, and finally ordained a minister in 1s4l by Bish- op Waugh of the Methodist Church.
 His first assignment was the Hopken- ton charge, where he served three years with marked success. For thirty years his voice was heard in eloquent sentences throughout the bounds of what was then called the Black River CN. Y.) confer ence. on various circuits and at various stations. Thirty-four years ago he moved with his family to the West, locating first at Woodstock, H., where he preached ten successive years. Later he served at Gardner and Verona, but the past ff- teen years has not been regularly as- signed. although very frequently supply ing pulpits for pastors in the neighbor- hood. One year ago by invitation Mir. Alden delivered\the sermon at the Central Illinois annual conference, speaking forty five minutes without faltering of his voice, and at the finish received many compliments for his eloquence.
 Delivers Mckinley Address.
 Upon the date of President McKinley's s burial he was one of the orators assigned to deliver a patriotic address to the pu- pills His first presidential vote was for Harrison. and he has never missed the opportunity to cast a ballot for the Re- publican nominee-always a speaker and worker for that party.
 On his 90th birthday Mir. Alden gave a concert of song in the Streator Methodist Church. the selections being mainly of his own composition, both words and music In the earlier years of his ministry he possessed rich tenor voice, which ma terially aided him in his evangelistic work. His voice is yet clear and strong in speaking. but his hearing has become quite defective, this being really his only infrmity. He has a fixed plan for doing work about the home of his widowed daughter, and notwithstanding his 97 years is of material assistance to her. He takes great delight in keeping his time occupied but Is never too busy to meet and greet his friends who call. One of his greatest pleasures is found in smoking a good cigar. He has been a smoker near ly all his life, and expresses the\opinion that tobacco hasn't materially lessened his years.
 In addition to being the oldest minis ter in the world, he Is also, so far as known, the oldest living descendant of John and Priscilla Alden. His father, Rufus Alden. was the sixth generation from those people famous in the countrys history. His mother. Sally White Alden. was the daughter of John White of rev. olutionary fame. Byron married Sarah Ann. daughter of Joel Peck of Hinesburg. Vt, whose family Is also an historical one. His life has been one of privations and many hardships. having freely given his services to charity and preaching to almost destitute charges. Although now without means, he finds a comforta bIe home with his daughter Mrs. Wood, his every want being supplied.
 Recalls Great Blizzard.
 Rev. Mir. Alden vividly recalls June 6. 1916. in New York State. Upon that datte was regular blizzard, the ground be- ing covered with snow. All the sheen had been sheared, and 1t was so cold that hundreds of the animals froze to death. This was afterward referred to as "the cold year" Nearly all crops were de- stroyed excepting rye. which sold for $2J0 per bushel. The acreage of this crop was small md xnrlth dnh Al.