The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-07-24
Salt Laker's Mother Who Is 1O2 Years Old

Tho 10th OF August next Will be the
load anniversary OF the birth OF Charity
Stevens. native of New York. but foi
more than fifty years last past residing
In the township OF oxford. Michigan.
While such extreme longevity attaches
to her n world wide interest, many Utah
people will be especially Interested tc
learn that she is the mother by marriage
OF ]. b. Graham of this city, formerly
editor Of the Bingham Bulletin, who
himself is no spring chicken. as he VIII
reach his list birthday on the 3rd OF
August. and has been In newspaper har-
ness for more than fifty years and was
formerly with The Tribune, She is also
the grandmother OF Olive G. Graham and
Annie r.. Graham. who formerly resided
here, Miss Olive taught several terms
in the Salt Lake schools under Supcrin-
tcndeut Mccoy, and is no doubt kindly
remembered by her hundreds Of pupils
now grown TO manhood and womanhood
Miss Annie was n Stenograpncr with Inc
former law irm of Breeze & Burris, ana
had a large circle OF friends and acduaint-
ances. The two now reside in the East;
Mrs. Stevens IS alectionately calico
aunt Charity by ell who know her.
Hey centennial anniversary was celc-
hrated M the Stevens. farm IN North
oxford. when, 4 general invitation having
been given. upwards OF 1000 rcopie gath
cred TO extend congratulations and par
under the OAKS on the great lawn Of
the old homestead. II was remarkable
event. p"rhans never parallcled or TO re-
cur In tho lifetime OF any person present.
for not one may ever again look upon
human face bearing the footprints or n
century. Though somewhat feeble Aunt
Clarity was In perfect health, and on
her feet much OF the time during the
reception She shook hands with every
guest with a hear,ness. that threatened
to bring on great fatigue; but being
cautioned 10 spare her strength. she re"
torica, Never ycu mind, III take more
than give" meaning that the exchange
of ma rrctic force in these contacts would
be in her favor So 1t seemed to I've,
for as the day waned she showed no
SIGN OF woarlrcss. and at sunset was able
10 go for auto ride, the first she hac
ever taken. The great gathering. lnclud-
ing relatives and friends from New
York, Pennsylvania, indiana ONO Ill-
nois Nebraska. and Utah. and from
nenrlv every county of Michigan. was
addressed by a number Of notables
among Them Congressman S. W Smith
of Michigan. one Of the central figures
of the present lower house.
Aunt Charity was born In the last year
OF the administration OF Thomas Jener-
SON. our third national president. when
population. and when 1t was the excep-
ton TO meet man OF middle age who
had not borne arms or taken some part
in the revolutionary struggle. One year
DcIOTP n'l pl)ln koDeTI tNltoIl
the first steamboat and it was years
after before the first locomotive was
thought OF She was four years old at
the breaking out of the war OF 1872
when the city OF Detroit fell into the
hands oi the British: and In her seventh
wear when the battle of Waterloo was
fought. She was IS when the Mexican
war began, and Sc when news came OF
the firing upon Fort Sumpter
Aunt Charity has reason to be proud
Of her connection with the past. its hard
ships. achievements and triumphs. Hers
is n lineage exalted for its heroes OF the
revolution the early Indian wars, and
life on the frontier when every bush
might hide a lurking savage Her par
ents were John and Huldah CowleY. and
her birthplace was Cayuga village, in
the county of Cayuga, New York. She
Was the youngest OF ten children, Of
whom her brother. Covil. lived to the