Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-05-14
GRANT COUNTY WOMAN
IS NOW 1O1 YEARS OLD
Large Gathering of Her Kin
Celebrated Her Birthday.
Located at Wyalusing, in This County
in 1S43-Unfil Last Year Head
ed Six Generations.

Prairie du Chen, Wis, May 10
Mrs. Lydia Shrake of Wyalusing, on
Thursday celebrated her one hundred
and first birthday anniversary at the
home of her son, Abner Shrak 9, where
large number of her kin were
gathered. A year ago when she cele-
brated the century mark there were
six generations present, but since then
two of these lave passed away.
Mrs. Shrake was born in Penn
sylvania in 1919. and when child
moved with her parents to Coshocktor
county Ohio. where she was married
to her first husband. William Ault,
in 1881. They had five children, two
girls and three boys. The husband
died in 1888.
Five years later she again married,
this time to Jacob Shrake, and they
moved to the Mississippi and located
in the village of Wyalusing, two
miles below this city. The union
brought five children-one girl and
four boys.
In TIE days when Mrs. Shrake came
to Wisconsin, this country was but
sparsely settle, and the Indians
claimed ownership OF vast northwest
territory but under the protection OF
old Fort Crawford. little settlements
sprang up here and there close by and
the red men rarely molested them,
save for an occasional little pilferipg.
During her long life she has wit
messed a marvellous change. As
young woman she saw the savage sit
on the river bank and marvel at the
passing steamers. which in those days
were many on the Father of Waters. -
But the days of heavy traffic have
passed from TIE scene. What was
once vast widlern ess has been trans
formed into one of the most fertile
farm and dairy sections of the United
States.
Since the death of her second hus-
band in 1861. the venerable old lady
has made her home with her SON
Abner, and despite the 1O1 years
which she carries, she is able to do
many of the duties about the house
hold. She loves to go to the neigh
bors to visit and talk of the many
pioneer experiences that thrill the
younger people and catch the ear of
the older ones. Her mental faculties
are particularly clear and she remem-
bers incidents and dates with ac-
curacv The only indication of her
age is her failing eyesight, although
she is still able to read the newspapers
and keep posted on the passing news.
With the aid of cane she takes quite
long walks and spends much of her
time in the garden.
This venerable woman has the
honor of giving six sons and two hus
The second hus band was a veteran of
the war of 1912. The soDs were
Stephen Ault. formerly of this city
but now residing at Oelwein, Ia,
Co. Fl. Fiftieth Wisconsin infantry
William Ault, Co. G, Thirty first
Wisconsin; Jacob Shrake. Co. A,
Thirty first Wisconsin; David of the
Eighth and Adam and Abner of the
Twenty ninth. The youngest of the
four still living is So years old.
Grandma Shrake has, as far as
known now living these descendants
Four children, thirtY-two grand chill
dren, eighty-five great grandchildren,
thirty great great grandchildren and
two great-great great-grand children
This is a record that probably has no
equal at the presept time.