The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-23
CORNV|LLE HONORS HER
OLDEST TOWNSMAN
John H. Whittier Presented With Bos
ton Post Cane.

habitants of that community, met at
the home of John II. Whittier on
Sept. Z, to congratulate him on ar
irving at SO distinguished an age, and
to present him with the Boston Post
cane. The journal mentioned has re-
Gently sought out the Oldest citizen in
many Maine communities and sent to
them through the officers OF their
several towns, a handsome gold
headed cane, to be retained during
their life and to be transferred to the
one who becomes the Oldest citizen at
their decease. Uncle John was
plainly entitled to the cane under the
terms of the bequest and the picnic
at his home on the It'll was arranged
for the purpose of formally present
ing It,
John H. Whittier the oldest citizen
of Cornyille, was born in Brighton.
Jan. 20, 1914, the son of John Whit
tier and Abigail Titus, who came from
Nottingham and Epping, y. H, and
settled in Brighton over one hundred
and one years ago. Mr.. Whittier's
education has been acquired year by
year, throughout his entire life, but
all the schooling, SO far as public in
struction is concerned, was obtained
at the schools in his native town of
Brighton. When SO years of age he
moved from Brighton to his present
home in the town of Cornville where
he has since maintained a continu-
ance residence. He has always been
farmer and in that business has
been extremely prosperous. He has
given much attention to good stock
and has always been on hand with
the best of oxen and steers. Strict
attention to his own business has
been a prominent characteristic and
very little else has ever occupied his
time. He has taught to avoid politics
and he is now proud to say that he
never held a public office and never
wanted one. He has always been held
in the highest esteem by the citizens
of his native town and the town of
his adoption, and in both communi-
ties his word has been, and continues
to be, as good as his bond.
He was happily married at the age
of 26 to Mary c. Hall of Brighton, who
was eight months his senior. AS life
companions they encountered sun
shine and sorrow together until she
was called from this earth, Febru-
airy 10, 1908, having reached the re-
markable age of nearly 95 years.
They were blessed with family of six
children, four boys and two girls. OF
the sons, three are now living, Geo.
H., with his father on the home farm,
Albert also a resident of Cornville,
and Fred w. Whittier, of Topeka,
Kan. One daughter also is living,
Abbie H. Russell of Madison.
The citizens of Cornville who as
sembled at Mr.. Whittier's home on
September 7, found him in the best of
health and spirits, the smartest man
of his age physically and mentally, OF
this city or any other state. His mind
is active and bright and his strength,
for one of such advanced years, is
phenomenal. 1t has been his custom
for many years past to go to his wood
lot and cut ten cords of wood every
year and this was carried out last
winter, as usual. He had heard, how
of the use of the gasolene engine for
saving wood, and let mechanical pow
er have a try at his last 10 cords, just
to see how it worked. He split it into
stove wood himself and has but re-
Gently finished getting it into the
shed. wheeling it some distance on a
wheelbarrow. He has also been re-
Gently occupied in pulling and stack
ing beans. He can hold a breaking
III pillow behind four oxen with the
best of them and if his nimbleness
needs further demonstration he can
swing himself readily over the pillow
handles
Many friends from other towns
gathered with the citizens of Corn
Vile at Mr. Whittiers home on the
18th, and, after partaking of picnic
dinner and being served with fine
hot coffee by Uncle John" the Cere-
mony of presentation was carried out
on the yeranda. Mr.. Whittier re-
sponded in a most fitting manner
thanking his friends for meeting with
him and expressing his gratitude to
the Boston Post for their gift which
he was delighted to accept under the
terms by which it was bestowed. The
following were his closing words {:
Friends, neighbors and townsmen
for the want of better tribute OF
respect | will say God bless you with
peace and prosperity during your re-
naming years"
Mr.. Whittier assures his townsmen
that he will attend the next annual
March meeting and will take pleas
ure on that occasion, as on many 9th
ers, in carrying his new cane.
To the truly moral and religious