Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 214, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1919 — THIS BIRD AFTER THE RECORD OF METHUSALAH. [ARTICLE]

THIS BIRD AFTER THE RECORD OF METHUSALAH.

Lexington, Ky., Sept. 3.—John Shell, said. to be the oldest living man in the United States, today celebrated the 131st anniversary of his birth here. Mr. Shell is exhibiting himself at a fair here, and will use the money derived in paying off the mortgage on his farm, he said. Shell was first married at the age of 19 and lived with his first wife for more than 90 years. He lived 75 years' in one house. He is the father of 29 children, the oldest now living (being more than 90 years old. Six years ago he married again at the age of 125. By his second wife he has one child, a boy aged five years. Shell was born near Knoxville, Tenn., 12 years after the battle of Bunker Hill, and was'full grown when the war of 1812 began. He has seen the United States develop from a small nation to a world power.