Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1907 — Lons-Lived Mathers. [ARTICLE]

Lons-Lived Mathers.

At Jenkintown, Pa., Oct 27, four members of one family whose ages aggregate 350 years gathered nt a reunion, when Isaac Mather, the oldest of two brothers and.two sisters, celebrated his 100th birthday. There were also present two sons and one daughter of the .centenarian whose aggregate ages totalled 206 years. It Is not believed that anywhere else in the United States will be found a family that can present a like showing. The four persons whose ages totalled 350 years were: Isaac Mather, 100 years old; Mrs. Rebecca Michener, his sister, 87 years old; Mips Ann Mather, his sister, 79 years old, and Charles Mather, a brother, 84 years old. The children whose ages totalled 206 years are: Miss Martha Mather, daughter, 75 years old; Israel Mather, son; 73 years old; Isaac Mather, son, 58 years old. Isaac Mather, the centenarian, lives on the old homestead, built on the original tract of latid granted to his ancestors by William Penn, at Chelten Hills. In this region he Is best known as the “Grand Old Man of Chelten Hills." He is a Quaker and attends services regularly on Sunday. He attributes his long life to simple habits. Never in more than half a century has he retired later than 8 o’clock at night, and lie is up with the sun In the morning. His brother, Charles, at 84, is still in active business.