Title | Jacob Stauffer's Eighty-Sixth Birthday | |
Short Title | Newspaper - Stauffer, Jacob - 1880 | |
Author | Unknown Newspaper | |
Publisher | 1880 | |
Source ID | S459 | |
Text | Four Score and Six - A Birthday Surprise To Jacob Stauffer, Near Chester Springs, An Old Veteran of the War of 1812 and 14 - A Happy Gathering of Children and Friends. Friday, the 17th was the eighty- sixth birthday of Mr. Jacob Stauffer, who resides with his son-in-law and daughter, David and Rebecca Fegley, in West Pikeland township, near the Chester Springs. In honor of the event his son Abram R, known as 'Big Abe,' successfully arranged a surprise for his father to come off on Saturday. It was arranged to meet at 12 O'clock at a place near by. The affair was a genuine surprise to all of the family. Saturday was chosen as the most suitable day, as nearly all of the participants are farmers and tradesmen, and they can leave home more conveniently on that day. When the company approached the house the family was considerably astonished. Mr. Fegley took the pig sty for his refuge, while Mrs. Fegley stood her ground but got very nervous. Her first thoughts were, 'It will take a whole ham for supper,' not observing they had well filled baskets with them. The chieftain stood his ground nobly, as he has done on many surprising occasions, and was not at all excited. He stood at the gate with an open hand to receive them, saying he was glad to see them, and remarked jokingly to his children who extended their congratulations to him, 'that he must be going off as they all have come to see him.' They remarked that it was in honor of his birthday. He said he had not thought of it. He has seen so many birthdays that it has no special interest from another day to him. This year it was thought proper to have a little jollification as he has lived to such a remarkable old age, and they properly took this method of doing so. After the happy meeting of the many friends were over a committee of ladies took charge of the well -filled baskets and commenced to prepare dinner. The subject of this sketch is enjoying good health, having use of all his mental faculties except his sight, which is almost gone. He cannot see persons to recognize them. His memory is yet very good and his hearing is a little dull, but he is remarkably active for one so old. The following persons were present as shown by the registry - in all seventy persons: Jacob Stauffer, A. R. Stauffer, Sarah Stauffer, David Fegley, Rebecca Fegley, Salinda Deery, Henry Deery, Sallie B. Wagnor, Maria Emery, Eliza Miller, James Monroe Stauffer, Hannah M. Stauffer, Annie B. Stauffer, Emma F. Stauffer, S. Rebecca Emery, Sophia E. Emery, Annie Lockard, Harvey Emery, Ida L. Emery, Abraham Deery, Henry Miller Deery, Jacob P. Deery, Morris Deery, Marshall Stauffer, Ellie Fagley, Ida Deery, Emma Wagnor, Annie Emery, John F. Emery, Enos Deery, Laura Stauffer, J. Monroe Wagnor, Christie Wagnor, William Emery, Maggie Deery, Philip Fagley, Christie Fagley, George M. Deery, Luther P. Deery, Alice Deery, John B. Stauffer, Samuel B. Stauffer, Olivia W. Stauffer, Sallie A. Stauffer, Will B. Stauffer, Jacob Stauffer, Joseph Friday, Isaac T. Stauffer, Sallie E. Stauffer, Ellen Stauffer, H. Calvin Stauffer, J. Marion Stauffer, Christian F. Snyder, Maria C. Snyder, Samuel Fagley, Anna Fagley, Albina Miller, Mary Miller, Sallie Mosteller, Lizzie Fagley, John Fagley, Silas Evans, Ida Mosteller, Dewees Mosteller, Mary Ella Mosteller, Mrs. John Fagley, Sallie Fagley, James Buchanan Deery. The company was invited to come together as they had a short ceremony to perform; and when they had gathered around the silver headed 'OLD VETERAN' on the porch, Will B. Stauffer, of Daowningtown, a nephew, read a brief history that he had hastily prepared for the occasion. It was as follows: Jacob Stauffer was born in West Vincent township, Chester county, September 17th, A. D. 1794. Son of John and Deborah Stauffer. He is the eldest of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, named respectively Jacob, Henry, Abraham, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Deborah. He is the only surviving member of the family, the others have preceded him to the 'spirit land'. How truly has the Scriptural text been verified, 'the first shall be last'. He has by reason of great strength more than reached the allotted days of life, and on this, his fourscore and sixth birthday, it is but proper that we refer to a brief history of his well -spent life. His parents were of German descent, members of the Mennonite Society that settled in the Schuylkill Valley, and whose well cultivated farms at this time prove that they were an industrious and thrifty class of settlers. His boyhood days were spent as was the custom in that early period. There were no free schools, but he was sent a short time to a pay school. It was a morning exercise before school hours to thresh a flooring of rye with the flail. Nearly the whole winter would be occupied in that healthy exercise. Another employment was clearing off new land and taking charge of the younger children, while his mother would be out in the field thrusting the sickle in the golden grain, or breaking flax. He and his brother Henry, while boys, took a trip to Pittsburgh on foot to see the country. The journey to that place was made in ten days. At the age of eighteen, when the United States Government called for volunteers, he, at his first opportunity, enlisted in General Hartman's company and marched to the historic grounds at Marous Hook. We are all well acquainted with the history of that patriotic band, and their names will be honored and kept right on the pages of history. There is no more fitting compliment to pronounce upon him at this time, than to say he is an old veteran of the war of 1812 and '14. Death has sounded her muster roll for that company, and all have answered to their names except this honored sire. He is the only member of that gallant company to tell of the trials and triumphs of soldier life. He frequently refers with pleasure to the days he shouldered the musket and marched forth to defend the flag of the red, white, and blue against the foreign foe. He can yet speak for himself, the rest are silent. After being discharged, he came home and worked upon the farm, and as the rest of the boys grew up he made room for them by hiring out as hired man, among the neighbors, generally living three and four years at one place. He was very much prostrated by fever after he came home from the army and suffered for a long time, and was very nearly losing his life. He has no trade; his general occupation is farming, being a property holder at one time. He has always resided in Chester and Montgomery counties, the greater part of his time in this neighborhood. He has seen generations grow up and depart around him. At the age of thirty- three he concluded it was not good for man to live alone, and on the 5th day of June, 1827, in that rosy month, he and his 'Sweet Heart' marched off to the parson's, and he made 'two living hearts one'. The wedding certificate, which is well preserved to this day, says they 'were united in the holy bonds of matrimony', and bears the signature of the venerable clergyman, Rev. Charles Moore. They have as their offspring ten children, namely: Salinda, Deborah, Maria, Abraham, Sarah, James Monroe, Rebecca, Sophia, Jacob, and Isaac, the last two being twins. Five of these children, Salinda Deery, Maria Emery, Abraham R. Stauffer, Sarah Wagnor and Rebecca Fagley are now living, and five, with their mother, are now quietly sleeping in the old church yard. He lost by death his companion, Leah, January 9th, 1864. There are thirty -nine grandchildren to gather around his parental fireside, representing four generations. He and his wife were members of the Windsor Baptist Church, and were active members in that vineyard. His first vote was cast while in the army for James Madison. He has voted at all the Presidential elections since, voting twice for Monroe, three times for General Jackson. He voted for Van Buren, also for James D. Polk, Cass, Pierce, Buchanan, McClellan, Seymour, Greeley, Tilden, and he hopes to live to vote for General Hancock. He has given especial instructions to be taken to the polls at Chester Springs on Nov. 2nd, so that he may continue his good political career by voting for the hero of Gettysburg as he did for the hero of New Orleans. His life has been an industrious, unassuming one, toiling from early dawn till late at night for his daily bread, earning it by the sweat of his brow. He is a representative of God's noblest work - an honest man. The golden rule, to 'Do to others as you would wish them do to you' is one of his rules of life. He has been a kind, affectionate husband and father, and a jovial, good- natured grandpa, enjoying fun and a joke to their fullest limits. The writer of this sketch can bear tribute to his genial hospitality. The visits to Uncle Jacob and Aunt Leah are bright spots in boyhood's memory. They always had such big ginger- cakes and pretty story books. It may be said of him, as he is now on the topmost step of the ladder of life, and just ready to go over the narrow brink, that his life has been a long and useful one, and his work has been well done. There were dark and gloomy clouds to pass over the horizon, but yet they had their silver lining. His kind heavenly Father has gently lead him amid 'green pastures and still water', and abundantly provided for his all through his prolonged years, and today we find him under these favorable circumstances although his eyes are dimmed, his locks gray, patiently waiting for the summons to come up higher and join with the loved ones that have crossed over the river. Only waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown; Only waiting till the glimmer of the day's last beam is flown; Till the night of earth is faded from the heart once full of day; Till the stars of heaven are breaking thro' the twilight soft and gray; Only waiting till the reapers have the last sheaf gathered home; For the summer is faded, and the winter winds have come. Quickly reapers, quickly gather the last ripe hours of my heart For the bloom of life is withered, and I hasten to depart. Only waiting till the angels open wide the mystic gate At whose feet I long have lingered, weary, poor and desolate. Even now I hear their footsteps and their voices far away; When they call me I am waiting, Only waiting to obey. Waiting, waiting, only waiting till the angels call. Mr. Jacob Stauffer, of West Pikeland, a nephew, stepped forward and said: 'Dear Uncle, I am unexpectedly asked to take part in the ceremony, and was called upon to present, in the name of those who assembled, this beautiful cane'; and it afforded him much pleasure to hand it to him, trusting that it will be a strong support in his declining years, and help to bear him gently down the path toward the grave. He commended him to put his support on Him who had promised that 'Though he walked through the valley and shadow of death, His rod and staff will comfort Him' - he should continue to trust in Him, knowing that the prize was at the journey's end, and when he was called upon to lay aside this cane and all earthy things, he will take up the sceptre and join with the happy throng around the heavenly throne, singing, 'Glory to God in the Highest'. The venerable father received it with trembling hand, and seemed much affected, replying in his humble way, 'thank you'; although nearly blind with the weight of years, he looked at it and felt it all over, and seemed to appreciate it as though he expected to use it on several long journeys. The command was then given to walk into dinner. The ceremonies and place seemed to be so interesting as the family was so happily gathered around the 'Old Man' that no one seemed to want to leave it and enjoy the good things prepared in the dining room. After a little more persuasion by the ladies, the table was surrounded, the venerable father at the head. It is needless to say that it was a pretty sight to look upon. In the centre of the table was a large and handsome cake. It had the year of birth, 1794, and the present year, 1880, and the name of the donor upon it. Another pretty cake had the recipient's name, Jacob Stauffer, upon it. All the persons that had gathered around the festive board heartily joined in the singing of 'Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow', etc. Jacob Stauffer asked a blessing suitable to the occasion There was a bountiful repast furnished and the feasting was continued during the remaining part of the day. The young folks engaged themselves in such a manner as is customary at such pleasant gatherings. It was a grand success in every particular, and the participants will remember with great pleasure the honoring of the eighty- sixth birthday of their aged father, grandfather, and great- grandfather. It will be one of the happiest occasions of their lives. As the sun went down on the western hills, the folks quietly dispersed, bidding the worthy sire an affectionate good- bye, and quietness again reigned where the unexpected assemblage was held. | |
Linked to (25) | Deborah Ziegler Bauer Henry Deery Mahlon D. Emery David Fegley Abraham B. Stauffer Abraham R. Stauffer Deborah Stauffer Deborah Stauffer Elizabeth Stauffer Henry B. Stauffer Isaac Stauffer Jacob Stauffer Jacob B. Stauffer James Monroe Stauffer John B. Stauffer John H. Stauffer Maria Stauffer Rebecca Stauffer Salinda Stauffer Samuel B. Stauffer Sarah B. Stauffer Sarah B. Stauffer Sophia Stauffer Benjamin Wagoner Family: Jacob B. Stauffer / Leah Rukes |