Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-15
only knows but there may be a dozen
or two more born since"
In aln.na SinnA ,6s

only knows but there may be a dozen
Eor two more born since"
In Iowa Since '66.
Born in Clinton county, Ohio, Decem.
Der 13, 1910, Nancy Miller arrived in
the days that the United States was
in its swaddling clothes and her mind
goes back to dim and distant past
with clearness that is remarkable.
She moved with her family early in
life to Indiana, when they thought they
were penetrating a western wilderness
far from any civilization. They set
tied in Marion county, not great
distance from Indianapolis. Here she
celebrated her eighteenth birthday, and
two and half weeks later, December
80, 1928, she married Andrew Surber.
In 1865 she removed to Iowa with her
family and they settled in Keokuk
county, four miles from the town Of
Lancaster, not far from Sigourney.
She has lived in different parts of Keo-
kuk county and came to Wapello
county to live with her daughter, Mrs.
Ben Young, 507 East Williams street,
four years ago and has made her home
here ever since. She said in the course
of her conversation yesterday that she
was never a person whose diet ran to
knick-knacks. She wanted plenty Of
meat. corn bread, cabbage and other
substantials rather than fancy foods to
sustain her, and she still partakes of
that~kind of food In all her life she
has never worn hat. She has, how
ever, worn the leghorn and shaker
bonnets at different periods of her life,
and for several years past has worn. a
little lace. hood betting her age.
Scores of Friends at Reception.
The Hammersley home, 232 South
Moore street, was the scene of very
happy party during the afternoon, and
countless friends, aside from her
numerous relatives came and went
throughout the afternoon, saying some
thing pleasant and hearing the same in
return fro mthe venerable centenarian.
She made the party happy by her un-
quenchable fund of joy and good humor
as she rocked to and fro in rocker
near the heater and carried on her end
of the conversation without slip, al
though with an occasional humorous
remark that lent to the happiness of
the occasion. Mrs. Surber was kindly
remembered by her friends who called
to visit and congratulate her upon her
hundredth birthday anniversary, by
bringing her gifts and presents of vari-
Gus kinds to the number of seventy
two. Among those present during the
afternoon we're:
Mrs j. Dale, Mr.. and Mrs. C. B.
Fielder, Mrs. Otis Lang, Mrs. J. Taylor,
Mrs. George Burgin and daughter Miss
Hazel. Mrs. Mary Lemon, Mrs. Ella
Baughman Capt. and Mrs. McColl of
the Salvation Army, Mrs. Mary Clan
don. Mrs. Minnie Kinseler Miss Eva
Luallen, Miss Gladys Haines, George
Surber, Mr., and Mrs. B. G. Young, Mr..
and Mrs. Arthur Young.
To the union of Nancy Miller with
Andrew Surber, twelve children were
born, Of whom five are now living.
These are Mrs. Ben Young, SGT East
Williams street. with whom Grandma
Surber is now living, and Mrs. Lovina
Jauuinot of this city, Mrs. Martha
Reichie Of Council Bluffs, and two sons,
George and William, who reside in
Keokuk county Mr.. Surber died
thirty two years ago and Grandma has
always remained widow. She is
devout Christian and has been a mem
ber of the Brethren church for sixtv
years.