Newspaper Articles
Oldest Couple in Vienna
A correspondent in the Vienna Democrat from New Burnside claims the oldest couple and the longest married in Johnson County. They are William Wood and wife. He was born July 22, 1821, and she Sept. 22, 1818, so at their next birthday, he will be 80 and she will be 83. They were married June 29, 1841, so their next anniversary will be 60 years of wedded life.
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, 26 Jan 1901)
Goreville Fire
The little town of Goreville was almost wiped out by fire early last Sunday morning. Two stores and a bank were the only business houses that escaped. The fire originated in a vacant store building. The total loss was $32,000 with insurance of about $15,000.
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Saturday, 17 May 1907)
(transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)
Old Vienna Landmark Gone
Congressman Chapman is having the old frame building located near the west end of Vine Street torn down and in so doing is removing one of the old landmarks of the city. It will be remembered that the building is a part of what was the old Perkins House, and it is said that the first Masonic lodge ever in our city was held in an upstairs room in this building. It is said to have been build in 1842, and the cornice to the building was of hewn popular logs 40 feet long and in the top of them a trench was cut to form gutters for carrying off the water. Vienna Democrat.
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Saturday, 31 May 1907)
(transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)
Oldest Farmer in USA
On Saturday, April 5, 1924, Uncle George Elkins, who lives near Buncombe, reached his 99th birthday anniversary and on Sunday, the 6th, his neighbors and friends went in to help him celebrate. There were between 150 and 200 there and to say that this was an enjoyable occasion for all present would be needless to add. There was no one present who enjoyed the day and dinner more than Uncle George himself. He is a very active man for one of his age, raises a crop of corn and garden every year preparing and cultivating a part of it, and is the oldest farmer in the United States. He entered this land from the government and has lived on this farm all his life. There were quite a number of his friends went out from here, and they came from Marion, Anna, Centralia, and several other places. We extend to Uncle George our very best wishes for many happy returns of the day and hope he may reach the century mark.—Vienna Times
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 18 Feb 1924)
(transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)
Oldest Farmer in U.S.
George Elkins who attended the Central State Fair at Aurora, Ill., in August 1922, is the oldest farmer in the U. S. actually engaged in farming, will celebrate his 100th birthday anniversary at the Methodist Episcopal church of Buncombe, Sunday, April 5th of this year.
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 20 Mar 1925)
(transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)