Aged Couple Spend Life of Almost 60 Years in One Home
January 7, 1928, if both are living on that date, will mark sixty years of married life for Mr. and Mrs. John W. Henry, who live on the county line road southeast of Bluford.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry are most likeable old people and their life story is much out of the ordinary in a number of respects.Lived in Only One House
Mr. Henry cleared eighty acres, his original farm, and selecting a favorable site, hewed the logs and erected a log cabin consisting of three large rooms, in which he and Mrs. Henry began their married life, and they have never lived anywhere else, and now, almost sixty years later, "aged and gray," are living as happily as when they started life's journey, young and full of hope for the future.
The house was unusually large for its day, and its construction and material such that apparently it can weather the storms so common in this section, for a century, if necessary. The interior of the building is quite attractive, neatly papered, and well lighted and ventilated.
A visit to the Henry home proved very enjoyable. The old people, living alone, although each is more than 80, are in full possession of their mental faculties. Mr. Henry's sight is considerably impaired, and he is able to do only very light work, because of this fact rather than because of physical weakness. A paralytic stroke and fall fourteen years ago is responsible for Mr. Henry's condition. Mrs. Henry is afflicted with deafness to some extent, but it is not necessary to speak very loudly to enable her to understand.
Married in Wayne County
Mr. Henry was born in Jefferson county, January 2, 1847, and his entire life has been spent in this county. He attended the country schools of his day, and until his eyesight failed him, was a great newspaper reader. Mrs. Henry now reads the papers to him, as he can distinguish only the large headlines.
Mrs. Henry was born in Williamson county, Ill., April 8, 1846, but received her schooling in Macoupin county, Ill.
Mr. Henry has no church preference, but Mrs. Henry is a lifelong member of the M.E. church.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry took place in Wayne county January 7, 1868. Before marriage Mrs. Henry was Miss Mary Robertson.
The couple have five children living and three dead, thirty-two grandchildren and ten great grandchildren living.
The children are Alfred C. Henry, Little Rock, Ark.; Mrs. Cora Grider, Argenta, Ill.; Mrs. Anna Jones, Murdock, Ill.; Mrs. Dona Pepple, Hamilton county, Ill., and Frank Henry, Indiana.
Differ in Politics
Almost sixty years of happy and well spent married life has not resulted in a change in the politics of either of these most worthy old people. Mr. Henry is a lifelong Democrat, and comes of a democratic family. Mrs. Henry is devoted to her party, the republican party, as Mr. Henry is to his. Visiting the polls together they vote for the candidates of the party to which they belong.
A recent visitor, misunderstanding a reply of Mrs. Henry, asked her if she had been married twice. "No," she replied, "I have been married only once and don't intend to marry again."
"We belong to different political parties, but we never fought yet," said Mrs. Henry, commenting on the difference in their party alignments.
Jokingly a visitor suggested that Mrs. Henry divorce her husband unless he votes the republican ticket. "Well," Mr. Henry remarked good naturedly, "if that is the condition, it will have to be divorce."
Farm on Small Scale
They have disposed of all their land but twenty acres, and keep only a horse, a cow, and some chickens. They grow vegetables and grains for which there is a ready market, and have 1000 sweet potato plants which are very promising.
Mr. Henry has always grown his own tobacco, and has a thrifty "patch" this season. He is an expert in its cultivation. He grows more than he uses and sells a portion of his crop every year. He smokes, but does not chew tobacco.
Although more than 81 years old, Mrs. Henry does all her own housework, and refuses to allow her daughter, who lives some distance away, to assist her with the washing. Mrs. Henry remarked, however, that when she had done a bid day's washing she was through and ready to call it a day.
The old people enjoy remarkably good health and stated that a physician had not been called to their home in ten years.
Have Earned Their Rest
Notwithstanding their years they take a wholesome interest in life and its activities. Both have grown old gracefully, and time has dealt gently with them. Splendid types of the rugged pioneers of the early days of the county, their old fashioned common sense is a boon to them, and their lives and example are in many respects an inspiration to all who know them.
They have stood the test; they have been model members of society and have slighted no responsibility as parents, friends and neighbors.
All in all to each other, theses most excellent old people have earned the rest they now enjoy as hand in had they follow the "long, long trail a winding" to the end of the journey of life.
[Newspaper article from unidentified paper included in Joseph Henry & Alvira Crow Henry of Hopkins County, Kentucky and Jefferson County, Illinois by Mrs. Catherine Austin, Aug. 1990]
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