Chapter VI

DEATH OF JAMES PARKERSON, AGED 118 YEARS.

 

   WE are called upon this week to chronicle an event which very seldom falls to the lot of the average editor — publish the obituary of a citizen who has lived one full century and in part of two others; but such is our duty today. The town was shocked when word went out that the oldest citizen of the city had “crossed over the river,” and the news was received with much regfret.

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   James Parkerson was born in the State of Tennessee, October 22, 1793, and died in Hico, Texas, November 17, 1911, at the advance agfe of 118 years, 1 month and 26 days. His faithful companion, who is past 92 years of age, was with him at the time his spirit took its departure.

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   The funeral was conducted at the residence at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon. Rev. Britton Ross, pastor of the Baptist church, performing: the last sad rites. Interment was made in the Hico cemetery.

 

   We deem it a privilege to have known a man who had such vitality and vim to master Old Father Time as did this man, but regret that we have not taken the opportunities to learn some of his interesting: history. However, through the kindness of Mr. G. Fisk, editor of the Cisco Round~Up we are permitted to reprint the following sketch which appeared in a special edition of that excellent paper issued some two years ago, at which time Mr. Parkerson was a resident of Cisco:

 

   James Parkerson, living near Cisco, is said to be the oldest man living. He was born on the 22nd day of October, 1793, in the State of Tennessee. He has lived in three centuries, and has fought in every one of our country’s wars since 1812. As shown by government and veteran pension rolls he served in the Black Hawk war, Mexican war and the Texas Independence war, and draws a pension, $16.00 per month, from the Black Hawk war. He was with Hickory Jackson in his wars and in the New Orleans battle. He lived in Eastland county before the war, on the Leon. Being a Confederate soldier he attends the Eastland county reunion, and is sure from year to year that he will attend the next meeting. He is the father of eight children, has thirty grand-children living, and he does not know how many great-grand-children. His second wife, now ninety years old, is still living. Two of his sisters, each over one hundred years old, Jive in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is remarkable to say he has never worn glasses, can read without them. Having used tobacco for about twenty years, he is not a slave to it. Over fifty years ago he joined the Baptist church and has lived the consistent life of a Christian ever since. Very few of his teeth have been given to the dentist, and his hair is only medium grey. Has a heavy beard, is quite erect in figure, walks with a cane, and it takes a young man to keep apace with him. In conversation with him as to how he had fared through life, he said he had been hungry many times, living on pop corn for a week at a time, but at the hard intervals in life he gave very little thought to something for himself, it was always for others. After a conversation with him it should make the young of today take on new aspirations, and strive to live as long as this old man has, and at his extreme age be as active.