The Ordway new era., 1905-04-21

this town. reached the age
Of 100 years on January 81
last. Born In the year 1901.
he has lived In three centuries. More
over, he tells how he served under
Blucher at the Battle of Waterloo. saw
both Napoleon and the Duke OF We'll
lington. and. In fact. carried message
from Blucher to Wellington.
There Is no doubt that Leonard
ROeder. as he II known In Quincy, is
over 100. In Europe birth records are
carefully kept. At q certain age all
the youth In Germany are called upon
to serve In the army, and at the time
each receives a 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 1t sets forth
that Johann Leonard ROeder was born
Mt Wanderbuch (wurttemburg) an der
Dauber, Germany, January 81, 1900.
This book served Mr.. Roeder all
through his army life md was stamped
at different towns and garrisons, when
ever change was made, with more re-
marks and specifications added in
script each time. His identification Is
marked thus In the book: Stature,
i've feet eight inches; face. oval: nose,
straight; hair, black; eyes. gray.
The last time he was called upon to
use the little book-it Is primer size.
with pastebonrd back. covered with
blue paper and bound on the back with
n strip OF white-was when he emil
grated to America In 1S43. People
who have lived in Quincy NIL 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
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 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 Atty.
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 filed with express
sion as his memory kindled. He speaks
but little English despite the fact that
he was well versed In 1t during his
earlier days, but now. living In the
past again. his mother tongue, German,
is the language quickest on his lips.
"Yes. l remember 1t ALL" he says,
"but 1t was long time ago. Yet 1
remember just as well as IL these
things had all happened yesterday. i
have lived In three centuries, but now
as sit so much and think 1t Is Ger
many that comes back the most.
II was born In Wurttemberg. As n
young man learned the shoemaker's
trade. but us all young men In my coun-
try were called on to serve the King
for three years my service came just
ing all Europe.
"At Waterloo the Lieutenant under
whom ssfved was commanded by
General Blucher and 1t was my duty
for while to carry messages. On the
eve of the Battle of Waterloo carried
a message from General Blucher 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 Mt the
time, but remember 1t and often go
over 1t again in my mind.
Until about fifteen years ago 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 nll
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 despondent
for days at 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 Mt ali, just n
little place. lived q while Mt Pitts
field, then settled here with my wife.
I came to America in 1S43.
after settling here I took up my
trade us shoemaker, but in 1855 I
retired from active work. was then
eighty-eight years old.
when Governor John Wood Of H.
linois lived in Quincy I knew him and
made all of his shoes. he was 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