Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-26
ExETER'S MONAGENARIAN
Elisha Crane Tibbetts Hale and Hearty
Aged Over 81 Years.

East Exeter, Me-, Aug. 25.-This little
town boasts an active monaeenarian
in the person of Elisha Crane Tibbetts.
Mr.. Tibbetts was born in Corinth this
State, Jan. "a, 1912. His parents moved
to Exeter in 1929, but he remembers
having previously visited the first win
ter school ever taught in Exeter.
This was held in the house of Henry
Hill. In the room was a large double
fireplace. a granite rock two feet high
aivinding the two fireplaces. one heat
ing that part of the room occupied by
the family as a living room, and the
other the schoolroom. Mr.. Tibbetts
was but years old then.
The teacher was an aged hermit who
lived in the woods in hole in the
ground but who consented to come
forth fer the purpose of instructing
the children.
At the conclusion of his school work
Mr.. Tibbetts remained on the farm
with his father On this Old home farm,
which was cleared out of a wilderness
nv his father and three older sons
Elisha Mas always lived. He has never
yentured into any line of business or
work other than that pertaining to
farm life. The first orchard ever set
ont in Penobscot county was planted by
his father, and Mr.. Tibbetts has al
ways taken an active interest in or
charding.
In the autumn of his 22d year he ex-
hibited at a fair held in Exeter Corner
a pair of oxen. 4 years old, which he
had raised and trained himself. They
won the first premium. They girthed
G feet inches, and for pulling have
never been eXcelled in this section of
the State.
Mr.. Tibbetts was married, Sept. A.
1896. in Corinth. to Miss Christiana M
Timer of Corinth. They were blessed
with nine children, two daughters and
seven sons. One daughter and -four
| sons are now living, but the mother
died in April, 1897, at the age of 70.
Mr.. Tibbetts has never been confined
| to his bed by illness. but he had q
slight attack of the grip in the spring
| of 1897 which affected his hearing
! slightly His sight is remarkably good
and glasses are only worn by him Whel
| reading his daily paper He keeps
| thoroughly informed on the doings OF
| the world.
| His step is as light and brisk as that o.
a man much younger. and he walks Ions
distances without being the least fatigued
| He has given much of his time, this sea
son. to the work in his garden and fields
Every morning before taking his break
| fast he strolls out for short walk alon;
| the country road.
| Mr. Tibbetts is a strict teetotaler, ant
takes pride in the fact that he never ha'
a bit of tobacco in his mouth He neve
tried to smoke but once, and that wa
when he was years old. The result wa
such that he then and there determined
never again to make the attempt. Sine
the age of u, he has never taken drinl
of any kind of spirits. and has seldom in
dulged in either a cup of tea or coffee
His chief drink is milk and hot and COLI
water. His appetite is good and ne eat
whatever he wishes
| He has always been conte-tcd with tn
life he leads with one exception. and tina
was about 80 years ago when he went t
| Iowa, to which state some OF his children
|had gone with the intention of remaining
On his return Mr.. Tibbetts would hav
removed his entire family there had the
been willing to go.
| About 40 years ago he had thrilling
experience which he often recalls. lie
with his wife and two children. one
babe, started to visit his eldest daughter
who lived in Harmony. While crossing
1.-The bridge over river called Main stream
the bridge gave way and precipitated tn
wagon and family into the swiftly run
ming water.
MIR Tibbetts says he lost consciousness
for moment, but on striking the waite
he recovered, and by great eXertiOn sue
iceedcd in saving the lives of his wife an
lchildren.
Mr.. Tibbetts is very ford of music. H
taught singing schools for 81 consecutiv
winters, six nights every week.
! 1t is a pleasure for hun to tell his lis
teners about his fathers great family
His mother was the second wife and ha
six children by forme" marriage. ~
had one own brother and one own SiSte
land "A half-hrotherS and sisters. Mr.. lib
| family now living.
| A remarkable feature in connection wit
this family is the fact that Mr. Tibbetts
twin sisters, Ibis mothers children by he
former marriage, named Polly and Sally
married his twin brothers. children of hi
father by his former marriage name
joseph and Henry.
Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts celebrated thci
golden wedding, Sept. 4, lSS6. The Got
anniversary was celebrated by the home
gathering of children and grandchildren
and every dish on the able was prepare
by the aged mother Mir. and Mrs. Tib
belts on this occasion sang together tn
lold tune THE Mellow Horn
The chief joy of Mr. Tibbetts life is hi
Youngest, granddaughter Margaret,
the fields he has titled so many years.
|