Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-04-15

" records in his possession
a Johann Leonard ROeder Of
NV this town, reached the age
of 105 years on January q
last. Born in the year 1900
he has lived in three centuries. More
over, he tells how he served under
Butcher at the Battle Of Waterloo, saw
both Napoleon and the Duke of Wei
lington, and, in fact, carried a message
from Butcher to wellington.
There is no doubt that Leonard
Roeder, as he is known in Quincy, is
over 100. In Europe birth records are
carefully kept. At n certain age all
the youth in Germany are called upon
to serve in the army, and at the time
each receives passbook, in which the
date and the place Of birth are in
scribed.
The writer has seen the passbook of
Leonard Roeder, In very fine, old
fashioned German script it sets forth
that Johann Leonard Roeder was born
at Wanderbuch (Wurttemburg) an der
Dauber, Germany, January 81, 1900.
This book served Mr.. Roeder all
through his army life and was stamped
at different towns and garrlsOns, when
ever a change was made, with more re-
marks and specifications added in
script each time. His Identification Is
marked thus in the book: Stature,
five feet eight inches; face, oval; nose,
straighti hair, black eyes, gray.
The last time he was called upon to
use the little book--it is primer size,
with pasteboard back, covered with
blue paper and bound on the back with
q strip of white-was when he emf
grated to America in 1913. People
who have lived in Quincy all their lives
say that they remember Mr.. Roeder
as an old, gray-haired man thirty years
ago. He is still remarkably well pre-
served, and were it not for his total
loss of sight, which occurred last year.
he would still be active.
Excepting sight, the old man is pos
sessed Of every one of his senses
Though he sits in his chair at the win
dow in repose, with hands folded in his
! lap and eyes closed, he is ever alert
when spoken to. He is neat and clean
ly, with a singularly clear pink and
white complexion and snow white hair.
Although his hair is little thin on top,
his head Is covered as well as that of
a man of fifty.
The writer found him in his rocking
chair by the window. When spoken to
he was instantly reused and color came
into his face, which filled with express
sion as his memory kindled. He speaks
but little English despite the fact that
he was well versed in it during his
earlier days, but now, living in the
past again, his mother tongue, German,
is the language quickest on his lips.
eyes, l remember it ALL" he says,
"but it was a long time ago. Yet
remember Just as we'll as If these
things had all happened yesterday.
have lived in three centuries, but now
as l sit so much and think it is Ger
many that comes back the most.
II was born in Wurttemberg. AS
young man l learned the shOemaker's
trade, but as all young men in my coun-
try were called ON to serve the King
for three years my service came just
at the time when Napoleon was fight
ing all Europe.
''At Waterloo the Lieutenant under
whom l served was commanded by
General Butcher and it was my duty
for while to carry messages On the
eve of the Battle Of Waterloo l carried
a message from General Butcher to the
Duke of Wellington, and saw Napoleon
on my return. 1t was a wonderful day
and a wonderful battle, but. Napoleon
didn't win. was very young at the
time, but remember it and often go
over it again in my mind.
"Until about fifteen years ago 7 had
some comrades who were in the same
wars. They, too, lived in Quincy, and
we used to talk 1t over. We all came
to America together. They are all
dead now, and am the only one left"
The old man is always visibly grieved
in bringing up these "reminiscences. His |
family say that after talking over the |
old days he often becomes Respondent |
for days at a time, even to refusing |
his meals.
"When my comrades and came here
sixty-two years ago." said the old man,
there was no town here at all, just n
little place. l lived a while at Pitts
field, then settled here with my wife.
l came to America in 1843.
"After settling here l took up my |
trade as shoemaker, but in 1888
retired from active work. was then
lightweight years old.
when Governor John Wood of IL
linois lived in Quincy knew him and
made all of his shoes. He was a big
man in this State"
did you ever know Abraham Lin
coln" was asked.
The old man smiled sweetly.
Eyes, he was another big man." he
said, nodding his head slowly. "He
came around here sometimes, yes. One
of our citizens here, Mr.. Bushnell, was
his law partner. Yes, Abraham Lin
coin came from this State, but that was
long while ago, too. l cannot count
back how long. just remember"
When asked about his health,
whether he followed any laws of living,
or had endeav0red to secure longe Iity,
he answered:
81 have never been sick in my life
that 1 can remember. l never had
doctor or n dentist The has only one
tooth leftl and lived like other people.
In Germany we smoked n great DEAL
but when was n hundred years old
l stopped, for l thought that was long
enough. Often people send cigars now,
but l don't smoke any more.
Before my sight was gone / used to
read. never wore glasses. My eyes
were always good"
Regarding his loss Of sight, he lost
one eye by accident some years ago,
and a cataract formed upon the other
last year. Up to his 104th year he was