One Hundred and One.
Mt. Pleasant Journal.

    Mr. Jacob Rogers, of Tippecanoe township, this county [Henry Co, IA], is, in all probability, the oldest person in Iowa. He was born Jan 1st, 1778, within twenty miles of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and if he lives till next January, will be one hundred and one years old. Dr. N.M. Williford, of Oakland, who kindly favors us with this account, with Mrs.Williford, took dinner with Mr. Rogers last Saturday, at his son John's residence, where the old gentleman and his wife now make their home. He has been favored with a numerous off-spring- twenty-three children, and has thirteen of them buried. he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was twice wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane, where he fought under Gen. Scott. He yet carries a bullet in his right arm, received in that memorable engagement, and saw Gen. Scott a few minutes after the General, himself, that day received a wound in the shoulder. The father of Mr. Rogers was a soldier in the old French and Indian war, which culminated in Braddock's defeat, and, participated in that fatal encounter, escaping in the retreat conducted by George Washington. The son, inspired by that patriotic spirit which had characterized his father, responded to the call of his country in 1812, served through the war, was honorably discharged in 1815, and yet draws a pension of eight dollars per month from the government, in recognition of his gallant services. He was a member of Capt. Machesney's company attached to the 15th regiment, Pennsylvania, volunteers.
   Mr. Rogers is in good health, mentally and physically, walking about briskly, is interesting in conversation, and intelligent. He joined the M.E. Church two years ago, and is living with his second wife, who is sixty-nine years old. Although a user of tobacco Mr. Rogers has always been strictly temperate as to liquors, never having indulged in them, and says that General Scott once wished to treat him and he refused to imbibe, even at the invitation of that distinguished soldier. It is not often that so aged a man as Mr. Rogers is met with, and we wish him yet many serene and happy days.

[submitted by C.J.L.. May 2004]