Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 126, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1909 — “Uncle" John Makeever Arrives At the Ninetieth Milestone. [ARTICLE]

“Uncle" John Makeever Arrives At the Ninetieth Milestone.

Today, Dec. Ist, is the 90th birthday of “Uncle” John Makeever, and he is spending it quietly at his honfe at the Makeever hotel surrounded by his family, including his wife, his two daughters, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Stockton, and his grandchildren, Mrs. C. H. Porter and Jay W. Stockton. When he appeared at the dining table «t noon he found that his birthday had not been, forgotten, for in the center of the table was a large cake in the top of which were 90 candles. . “Uncle” John located in Jasper county in 1845, sixty-four years He was almost 26 yehbS of age then and he had nothing but a strong constitution and his determination to establish a home in this new country. The following year he erected a log cabin, making a fire-place of uneven bricks and preparing as best the frontiersmen of that period could for the establishment of a home. The broad acres he owns shows how well he succeeded and now in the declining days of his life he can look back at his years of toil and recall practically every incident in the history of Rensselaer and Jasper county. His grandson, Jay Stockton, recently pnearthed one ofxhe bricks that was used in the construction of the old cabin. On it he cut the figures “1846”, the date the cabin was built and this was placed on the center table in his grandfather’s hotel apartments and this served also to remind him of the early hardships. While recent years have witnessed the erection of other and better buildings it was not until the past year that Mr. Makeever erected a fine residence on the farm and there he had expected to spend much of ,his declining time, but his health is such that he can not get much enjoyment from it and the rooms that he has reserved for himself and wife have not yet been occupied. Shortly after noon when a friend called at the Makeever house to pay his respects to the aged pioneer he was not in his rooms and a search was made for him about the hotel, out to the barn, at the bank and all around but he could not be located. Finally, however, he was found. He had slipped off to the photograph gallery to have his picture taken. This is something that he has not often done, for vanity has been a small part of his make-up. Two years ago it looked like John Makeever would reach the century mark but dating from his accident a year ago last August he has been on the decline and now he is far from well. He is taking the very best of care of himself, however, and if he can gain a little strength he should live for several years yet. But his life work is nearing its end.