Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-02
"Uncle Abner's" Birthday,

| III eiic toWH vi nope yesterday, owe
In Knox county, there was celebrate
the largest and most unique birthda
party ever held in Maine. 1t wd
nothing less than the celebration O
the Tooth birthday of Uncle Abner
loved citizen. and everybody in Hop
and many in the adjoining towns TO
that matter, Joined in making TIN
| celebration an unqualified success
The celebration was held under tn,
| auspices of the local grange. and tn,
| fact that Uncle Abner became a mem
4 Der Of that organization only a few
months ago is sufficient evidence OF
the activity and interest In public
| affairs which he possesses as he
| rounds out a full century of life in the
old town where he was born and
where most of his many years have
been spent. All the 10 subordinate
grahges of Knox county Joined in
honoring the oldest members of their
great order.
Uncle Abner's" birthday party was
made general town picnic and
jubilee in which everybody partici-
pated and sort of Old Home gather
ing which brought back Hopes long
absent sons and daughters from near
and far. There was long parade and
appropriate literary exercises at the
church. And what a happy thought 1t
was to have this reunion and celebra-
ton center around the life of the
towns only centenarian. a man in
whose long and active career there has
been nothing except what has made
him hOnOred and respected by all vino
have known him. For many years Mr..
Dunton has been known throughout
his section Of the State, and in more
distant sections also, for a remarkable |
mental acuteness and physical agility
which is extremely rare in the few
people who live to such Il ripe old age.
He was the liveliest and jolliest figure
1t yesterdays birthday party and no
body among all the hundreds present
vas younger i'm spirit than he.
He was counted too old to enlist
when the Civil War broke out in 1861,
10 less than as years ago: and speak
ng of war, Uncle Abner" remembers
istinctly when the British came into
'amden during the war of 1872. Hell
'as then a yOungster Of six years,
aving been born three years after his
alive town was incorporated. For
yer 20 years in early life he was a
chool teacher in various towns in
1aine and he has survived most of
hose who were his pupils. During his
arly life he served Hope for many
ears as a town official, having been
OWN clerk as long ago as 1881 and in
ubsequent years selectman and school
man. For six years he was
COluilllSSlofleT ol WdluO equity anu
Dr two terms, in 1S41, and 1S45, he
epresented Hope in the Legislature
nd is undoubtedly the sole survivor
Z those who assembled at Augusta
uring those winters to make laws for
lie State of Maine. Thus he has the
istinction of being both the Oldest
lember of the Grange and the oldest
of the Maine Legislature.
lis only failing seems to be that he
as always been Democrat but there
yet time for him to outgrow this UNI
)rtunate habit.
Now, passing the Tooth milestone,
ear of mind and able to walk daily to
le postOffice for the newspapers of
hich he is a constant reader, Uncle
bner' Dunton is a figure such as few
WIS in Maine or elsewhere can
,ast of. and the people of Hope honor
lemselves in honoring him and in
aking his birthday the occasion of a
eneral picnic, celebration and re-
Mon. August 1, 1907, will be day
ng remembered by the people of
ope. and it's sister towns may well
IVY it the opportunity to participate
such a birthday party.