(See Sunday, November 30, 2008 for Part 1)
Yesterday morning I dropped by to visit with Ben and Elaine Allen. They mentioned that their son, Mike from down south in Alabama, told them about the oldest living person born in New Gretna posting on the blog, and they offered their opinion to me. I believe it is a winner. Thank you Ben and Elaine!
Remember, I had mentioned that Renard Wiseman, the oldest resident living in New Gretna had recently passed away at age 94? Well, it seems that good longevity genes run in the family. Renard had two brothers who predeceased him (Robert and John), but he also had three sisters (Ethel, Myrtle, and Catherine) who are living. Ethel Wiseman Sprague, the eldest of the Wiseman sisters, was born February 7, 1910. That would make her 98 years old and the oldest living person born in New Gretna. She is currently living at Seacrest Village Nursing Home in Little Egg Harbor.
If you are interested in reading more about the Wiseman family, Renard and Myrtle had written an article about their family in Issue #12 of "The Bass River Gazette (June 2002). You can view it, on page 3, here . . . http://bassriver-nj.org/pdf/h-gazette12--june-2002.pdf .
Ethel Wiseman Sprague (r) and her youger sister, Myrtle.
(Photo courtesy of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg.)
The Wiseman family, in 1922, in front of the old Knights of Pythias Hall on Rt. 9 in New Gretna. (l-r)- Renard, Ethel, Olive, and John holding baby Myrtle. (Photo courtesy of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg.)
John and Olive Wiseman, circa 1907, Ethel's parents.
They sure don't make hats like they used to!
(Photo courtesy of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg.)
The second oldest living person born in New Gretna would be Ethel Cramer Archer Upton, the eldest daughter of Doughty and Alberta Cramer who lived on North Maple Avenue with her brother Prston and sisters Minerva, Margaret, and Almira. Rickie Steele, who currently lives on North Maple Avenue, is her nephew. Ethel, who now lives in Florida, was born February 27, 1911. That would make her almost exactly a year younger than Ethel Wiseman Sprague.
.jpg)
Ethel Cramer Archer Upton
(Photo courtesy of Margaret Cramer McAnney.)
Baby Ethel Cramer
(Photo courtesy of Margaret Cramer McAnney.)
Bennie Allen, age 91 this December 10th, is still the oldest person born in New Gretna who is still living in New Gretna.
Ben and Elaine Allen
(Photo courtesy of Ben & Elaine Allen.)