Young Peoples Club - 90+ - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Crawfordsville April 8 – A “Young People’s Club” with every member at least an octogenarian. This is the character of an organization unique in the US and which only Montgomery County can boast. Its youngest member is 80 and its oldest 92 and all of its members have entered the organization to find solace in their old age by living in the good old days of the past.  A few weeks ago at a family reunion the idea forming a “young men’s and girls’ club,” limited to boys and girls ove r80 years of age was suggested by one of the older guests present.  The suggestion was enthusiastically received, and as a result, one of the strongest clubs of aged “children” in the country has been organized. The club members have been limited to candidates living in Montgomery County and so far nearly 100 members have been placed upon the rolls. An effort will be made as soon as the club has been completed to have a grand reuion in this city, where a banquet will be held during the day and evening, at which a general good time will be had by the “boys and girls” who will related stories of the early life when Crawfordsville was a dtruggling little burg and the wonders of today were unheard of.  When one looks over the charter of this club and notes the number of names and the ripe ages the members have attained, it does not look necessary for any one to leave old Montgomery County to seek health.  William School has been suggested as president of the order and has readily accepted. Mr. Schooler, who is 91 years of age, is the oldest member living in this township. He will represent the “boys,” while Mrs. Mary McCall Raymond Cook, who boasts 92 summers, will look after the “girl” members.

“The Oldest Boy” -- William Schooler, who is the oldest boy member of the club was born in Ohio 1815 and when 15 years of age came to this county with his parents. Since that time he has lived in the immediate vicinity of Crawfordsville and it is interesting to hear him tell of the early days when this city was a hamlet.  Mr. Schooler worked on a farm and studied at home for that was before the day of the district school.  After he reached manhood he entered politics and was elected to fill a number of county offices.  Mr. Schooler began trading in horses, which vocation he kept up until a year ago.  It is a fact that Mr. Schooler can recall every horse he has ever owned. He can recall the color, age and price he paid for the animal, from whom he bought it and to whom it was sold.  His recollection of events years ago is marvelous and he can readily describe them as though they occurred yesterday.

F.A. WILHITE (should be E. for Eleazer A.)

F. A. Wilhite is another of the club that has kept up a busy career all through life, and today, although 84 years of age, he can be found t his tailor shop, where he has held forth for 65 years. Mr. Wilhite is still an expert with the needle and personally attends to the work.  When the Northwestern Traction Company entered this city last spring after a spirited fight with the City Council and the Consolidated Company, Mr. Wilhite was one of the first men to greet the electric car men and it was he that drove the first spike into the ties that were laid on Main Street.  He received an ovation from the mighty throng that had assembled to watch the ceremony and Mr. Wilhite returned to his little shop with the dream of his last few years realized.  Mr. Wilhite was one of the first musicians of this county. With his brothers he formed what was known for years as the “Wilhite Band,” and it was only a short time ago that the “old boys” had to give it up.

The Dean of the Girls – Mrs. Mary McCall Raymond Cook, who resides in this city, has perhaps more patriotic ancestors than any other person living. Mary Williams McCall, Mrs. Cook’s mother was the granddaughter of William and Mary Trumbull Williams. William Williams was a direct descendant of Roger Williams who was one of the signers of the declaration of independence, while his wife was the daughter of the famous Governor Trumbull.  Mrs. Cook was born on a farm between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in Lebanon County NY in 1813.  She came to this city soon after the civil war and has lived here since. Though almost 92 years old, her mental faculties are as alert as ever.  She talks entertainingly of the many thrilling incidents that occurred in her girlhood days and tells with the enthusiasm of youth the story her grandfather told her about the battle Bunker Hill.  Mrs. Cook was married in 1831 to George Raymond, who died while yet a young man, leaving her with three sons, now all deceased. Several years after the death of her first husband she married Ezekiel Cook.  Seven children were born to them of whom only three survive. Three of her sons and husband were soldiers in the war between the North and South and several of her grandsons served in the Spanish-American War.  

SILAS PETERSON, who was one of the first members of the club, is hale and hearty at the age of 81.  He was born in Ohio in 1825 and while yet a child came to this county with his parents. After their death Mr. Peterson began work on a farm, which he has kept up since with the exception of the four years he served as State Senator. He now has a farm of 1,200 acres of the finest farming land in the state, even after having deed away nearly 500 acres.

Maj. LUCIAN W. FOOTE, an active member of the club is another one of the “old boys” of this county.  He is a prominent Mason having attained the 32nd degree.  He is one of the oldest members of that order in the state of Indiana.  Maj. Foote served throughout the war and after returning to this city held many prominent offices for the county. He is active for his age and one of the features of the coming reunion of the club will be some of his thrilling experiences.  

Those who have signed the charter of membership up to date area as follows:

Crawfordsville: Mrs. Mary Cook, 92; Dr. IEG Naylor, 85; William Schooler, 91; John S Brown 80; John Sue, 85; Warren Davis, 80; David Ridge, 80; Maj. LA Foote, 80; EA Wilhite 84; James Scott, 84; Alexander Henderson, 88; Isaac Davis, 84; John Lowe, 83; JB Mack, 85; Silas Jones, 88; Loren Miller, 84; James Harris, 80; Abraham Miller 84; Mrs. Harmon Hiatt, 86; Mrs. Catherine Ashenhurst, 84; Mrs. Christina Stewart, 80; Jerre Voris, 82; MB  Richmond, 84; Mrs. Tamar Campbell, 84; RK Krout, Sr 86.  

Union Township – Alexander Weir, 84; Jacob McIntire, 89; Mrs. EB Smith, 83.

Walnujt Townsip – Goerge Chesterson, 82.

Darlington – Silas Peterson, 81; George Chrisman 83; John Hulet, 89; Pleasant Butler, 87; George Guntle, 81; William H. Endicott, 81; James F. Hall, 87; Hannah Mikels, 80; Mary Booher, 80; Sally Campbell, 82; Lucinda Endicott, 83; Hannah Wisehart, 88; Elizabeth Conrad, 84; Phoebe Moore, 80; Mrs. Raachel Dittamore, 83; Lucinda Royer, 80.

Franklin Township – Hannibal Trout, 80.

|Shannondale – Dr. Shannon, 86; Eli BUnday, 80; WH Browne, 81.

Sugar Creek Township – Silas Dunbar, Sr, 80; Ari Sutton, 83; Adam Saidla, 82; William Bryant, 81; Patrick Goodwin, 80; Sallie Kendall,  83.

New Ross – Andrew Loop, 83.

Ripley Township – Ulysses Wright, 86.

Clark Township – David Hostetter, 82.

Waynetown – levi Moore, 83.

Scott Township – Allen Harrison, 92; Lydia Graybill 93; Sarah M. Brookshire 86; Betsy Hicks, 84; DH Hostetter, 82; James Welsh, 83; Dr. Hyten, 82.

Walnut Township – John Lockridge, 86; Andrew Loop, 89.