Traer Star Clipper, Friday, March 22nd, 1968 – page 1
Traer's oldest resident, Wallace Gaston, the only remaining survivor of a pioneer Traer community family, will mark his 100th birth-date Saturday, March 23, at his home at 700 Elm Street in Traer. Highly alert of mind, Wallace still relates events that occurred before and after the town of Traer started Except for two years as a young man, he has spent his lifetime in the Traer community.
Born March 23, 1868, on a farm one and one-half miles northeast of Traer, he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Gaston, who came to this area in 1854 and homesteaded near Traer. The elder Gastons were parents of nine children, of whom only Wallace is now living. Longevity was characteristic of the Gaston family Wallace's father died at the age of 94. This spry senior citizen recalls many childhood memories, "When I was a boy on the farm, creek water was sparkling clean so you could see the fish. Today the streams are muddy and polluted. Much of the farmland was covered with hazel brush, wild plum trees and prairie grass." Some early excitement was provided when the railroad track was laid through Traer in 1873, Wallace's mother cooked meals for the workmen and association with these men of the world was fascinating to a young boy. All earthmoving was accomplished with horse and mule, the only horse ¬ power available in those days.
An Indian settlement was located nearby and occasionally there were visits by the Indians. The Indian Wars in the West were not all completed at that time and appearance of these nomads was awesome to the early settlers. No violence in the area could be recalled, usually they just asked for food. One day a visit followed the cook's completion of baking cream pies. One pie was given to the squaw who dropped it face down on the ground. The pie was retrieved and eaten as though nothing unusual had happened, dirt and all.
Wallace attended the West Union rural school located one mile east of Traer. After having been raised on the farm, he moved to Traer in 1909 and operated a grocery store for a year in partnership with Curtis H. Thomas. He completed high school in Traer, then attended Cornell college at Mt. Vernon one year, studying drawing and painting. Farming was his vocation for 10 years following his marriage when failing health forced Wallace to seek less demanding activity. In his youth, he tried upholstery work for two years in Boone. It was here he met his wife, was married and returned to the family farm near Traer. His wife died in 1951 at the age of 72. He also did upholstering for Boettcher's Furniture store in Traer. It was while employed by the furniture store that he escaped an epidemic of smallpox which struck the community, although he worked alongside people who were affected with the disease.
He and his wife had four children, two still living. Lyle Gaston is in Charles City and Mrs. Genevieve Atwood lives in Fairfield. Mrs. Atwood, however, spends the winter months with her father in Traer. There are several grandsons and 15 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Atwood said she had tried to get her father to come live with her in Fairfield. Her efforts, however, were futile. Wallace prefers to maintain his residence in the home that has served him for over 50 years. He remarked, "I figured it would last me during my lifetime but as the years roll by, I'm not so sure which of us will last the longest. In the warmer months, Wallace lives alone and a grandson, Walter Gaston, keeps a watchful eye on things. Walter, purchases and delivers the daily grocery needs and stops by to check on things.
Wallace retired from active work in 1937. Although this was before, the social security program, started, he qualifies for monthly; benefits under, the special age 72 provision known as the Prouty amendment. The money first received was used for purchase of a wheel chair. His health remains fairly good but the legs are losing their feelings and are unsteady. The wheelchair makes it easier, for him to get around his house. Wallace, must, have cigars which he smokes in a pipe. Wallace signed up for Medicare when the program started in July 1966, but he has not used the benefits because no medical care has been needed.
Traer's oldest resident, Wallace Gaston, the only remaining survivor of a pioneer Traer community family, will mark his 100th birth-date Saturday, March 23, at his home at 700 Elm Street in Traer. Highly alert of mind, Wallace still relates events that occurred before and after the town of Traer started Except for two years as a young man, he has spent his lifetime in the Traer community.
Born March 23, 1868, on a farm one and one-half miles northeast of Traer, he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Gaston, who came to this area in 1854 and homesteaded near Traer. The elder Gastons were parents of nine children, of whom only Wallace is now living. Longevity was characteristic of the Gaston family Wallace's father died at the age of 94. This spry senior citizen recalls many childhood memories, "When I was a boy on the farm, creek water was sparkling clean so you could see the fish. Today the streams are muddy and polluted. Much of the farmland was covered with hazel brush, wild plum trees and prairie grass." Some early excitement was provided when the railroad track was laid through Traer in 1873, Wallace's mother cooked meals for the workmen and association with these men of the world was fascinating to a young boy. All earthmoving was accomplished with horse and mule, the only horse ¬ power available in those days.
An Indian settlement was located nearby and occasionally there were visits by the Indians. The Indian Wars in the West were not all completed at that time and appearance of these nomads was awesome to the early settlers. No violence in the area could be recalled, usually they just asked for food. One day a visit followed the cook's completion of baking cream pies. One pie was given to the squaw who dropped it face down on the ground. The pie was retrieved and eaten as though nothing unusual had happened, dirt and all.
Wallace attended the West Union rural school located one mile east of Traer. After having been raised on the farm, he moved to Traer in 1909 and operated a grocery store for a year in partnership with Curtis H. Thomas. He completed high school in Traer, then attended Cornell college at Mt. Vernon one year, studying drawing and painting. Farming was his vocation for 10 years following his marriage when failing health forced Wallace to seek less demanding activity. In his youth, he tried upholstery work for two years in Boone. It was here he met his wife, was married and returned to the family farm near Traer. His wife died in 1951 at the age of 72. He also did upholstering for Boettcher's Furniture store in Traer. It was while employed by the furniture store that he escaped an epidemic of smallpox which struck the community, although he worked alongside people who were affected with the disease.
He and his wife had four children, two still living. Lyle Gaston is in Charles City and Mrs. Genevieve Atwood lives in Fairfield. Mrs. Atwood, however, spends the winter months with her father in Traer. There are several grandsons and 15 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Atwood said she had tried to get her father to come live with her in Fairfield. Her efforts, however, were futile. Wallace prefers to maintain his residence in the home that has served him for over 50 years. He remarked, "I figured it would last me during my lifetime but as the years roll by, I'm not so sure which of us will last the longest. In the warmer months, Wallace lives alone and a grandson, Walter Gaston, keeps a watchful eye on things. Walter, purchases and delivers the daily grocery needs and stops by to check on things.
Wallace retired from active work in 1937. Although this was before, the social security program, started, he qualifies for monthly; benefits under, the special age 72 provision known as the Prouty amendment. The money first received was used for purchase of a wheel chair. His health remains fairly good but the legs are losing their feelings and are unsteady. The wheelchair makes it easier, for him to get around his house. Wallace, must, have cigars which he smokes in a pipe. Wallace signed up for Medicare when the program started in July 1966, but he has not used the benefits because no medical care has been needed.
Traer Star Clipper, Friday, March 22nd, 1968 – page 1
Traer's oldest resident, Wallace Gaston, the only remaining survivor of a pioneer Traer community family, will mark his 100th birth-date Saturday, March 23, at his home at 700 Elm Street in Traer. Highly alert of mind, Wallace still relates events that occurred before and after the town of Traer started Except for two years as a young man, he has spent his lifetime in the Traer community.
Born March 23, 1868, on a farm one and one-half miles northeast of Traer, he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Gaston, who came to this area in 1854 and homesteaded near Traer. The elder Gastons were parents of nine children, of whom only Wallace is now living. Longevity was characteristic of the Gaston family Wallace's father died at the age of 94. This spry senior citizen recalls many childhood memories, "When I was a boy on the farm, creek water was sparkling clean so you could see the fish. Today the streams are muddy and polluted. Much of the farmland was covered with hazel brush, wild plum trees and prairie grass." Some early excitement was provided when the railroad track was laid through Traer in 1873, Wallace's mother cooked meals for the workmen and association with these men of the world was fascinating to a young boy. All earthmoving was accomplished with horse and mule, the only horse ¬ power available in those days.
An Indian settlement was located nearby and occasionally there were visits by the Indians. The Indian Wars in the West were not all completed at that time and appearance of these nomads was awesome to the early settlers. No violence in the area could be recalled, usually they just asked for food. One day a visit followed the cook's completion of baking cream pies. One pie was given to the squaw who dropped it face down on the ground. The pie was retrieved and eaten as though nothing unusual had happened, dirt and all.
Wallace attended the West Union rural school located one mile east of Traer. After having been raised on the farm, he moved to Traer in 1909 and operated a grocery store for a year in partnership with Curtis H. Thomas. He completed high school in Traer, then attended Cornell college at Mt. Vernon one year, studying drawing and painting. Farming was his vocation for 10 years following his marriage when failing health forced Wallace to seek less demanding activity. In his youth, he tried upholstery work for two years in Boone. It was here he met his wife, was married and returned to the family farm near Traer. His wife died in 1951 at the age of 72. He also did upholstering for Boettcher's Furniture store in Traer. It was while employed by the furniture store that he escaped an epidemic of smallpox which struck the community, although he worked alongside people who were affected with the disease.
He and his wife had four children, two still living. Lyle Gaston is in Charles City and Mrs. Genevieve Atwood lives in Fairfield. Mrs. Atwood, however, spends the winter months with her father in Traer. There are several grandsons and 15 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Atwood said she had tried to get her father to come live with her in Fairfield. Her efforts, however, were futile. Wallace prefers to maintain his residence in the home that has served him for over 50 years. He remarked, "I figured it would last me during my lifetime but as the years roll by, I'm not so sure which of us will last the longest. In the warmer months, Wallace lives alone and a grandson, Walter Gaston, keeps a watchful eye on things. Walter, purchases and delivers the daily grocery needs and stops by to check on things.
Wallace retired from active work in 1937. Although this was before, the social security program, started, he qualifies for monthly; benefits under, the special age 72 provision known as the Prouty amendment. The money first received was used for purchase of a wheel chair. His health remains fairly good but the legs are losing their feelings and are unsteady. The wheelchair makes it easier, for him to get around his house. Wallace, must, have cigars which he smokes in a pipe. Wallace signed up for Medicare when the program started in July 1966, but he has not used the benefits because no medical care has been needed.
Traer's oldest resident, Wallace Gaston, the only remaining survivor of a pioneer Traer community family, will mark his 100th birth-date Saturday, March 23, at his home at 700 Elm Street in Traer. Highly alert of mind, Wallace still relates events that occurred before and after the town of Traer started Except for two years as a young man, he has spent his lifetime in the Traer community.
Born March 23, 1868, on a farm one and one-half miles northeast of Traer, he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Gaston, who came to this area in 1854 and homesteaded near Traer. The elder Gastons were parents of nine children, of whom only Wallace is now living. Longevity was characteristic of the Gaston family Wallace's father died at the age of 94. This spry senior citizen recalls many childhood memories, "When I was a boy on the farm, creek water was sparkling clean so you could see the fish. Today the streams are muddy and polluted. Much of the farmland was covered with hazel brush, wild plum trees and prairie grass." Some early excitement was provided when the railroad track was laid through Traer in 1873, Wallace's mother cooked meals for the workmen and association with these men of the world was fascinating to a young boy. All earthmoving was accomplished with horse and mule, the only horse ¬ power available in those days.
An Indian settlement was located nearby and occasionally there were visits by the Indians. The Indian Wars in the West were not all completed at that time and appearance of these nomads was awesome to the early settlers. No violence in the area could be recalled, usually they just asked for food. One day a visit followed the cook's completion of baking cream pies. One pie was given to the squaw who dropped it face down on the ground. The pie was retrieved and eaten as though nothing unusual had happened, dirt and all.
Wallace attended the West Union rural school located one mile east of Traer. After having been raised on the farm, he moved to Traer in 1909 and operated a grocery store for a year in partnership with Curtis H. Thomas. He completed high school in Traer, then attended Cornell college at Mt. Vernon one year, studying drawing and painting. Farming was his vocation for 10 years following his marriage when failing health forced Wallace to seek less demanding activity. In his youth, he tried upholstery work for two years in Boone. It was here he met his wife, was married and returned to the family farm near Traer. His wife died in 1951 at the age of 72. He also did upholstering for Boettcher's Furniture store in Traer. It was while employed by the furniture store that he escaped an epidemic of smallpox which struck the community, although he worked alongside people who were affected with the disease.
He and his wife had four children, two still living. Lyle Gaston is in Charles City and Mrs. Genevieve Atwood lives in Fairfield. Mrs. Atwood, however, spends the winter months with her father in Traer. There are several grandsons and 15 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Atwood said she had tried to get her father to come live with her in Fairfield. Her efforts, however, were futile. Wallace prefers to maintain his residence in the home that has served him for over 50 years. He remarked, "I figured it would last me during my lifetime but as the years roll by, I'm not so sure which of us will last the longest. In the warmer months, Wallace lives alone and a grandson, Walter Gaston, keeps a watchful eye on things. Walter, purchases and delivers the daily grocery needs and stops by to check on things.
Wallace retired from active work in 1937. Although this was before, the social security program, started, he qualifies for monthly; benefits under, the special age 72 provision known as the Prouty amendment. The money first received was used for purchase of a wheel chair. His health remains fairly good but the legs are losing their feelings and are unsteady. The wheelchair makes it easier, for him to get around his house. Wallace, must, have cigars which he smokes in a pipe. Wallace signed up for Medicare when the program started in July 1966, but he has not used the benefits because no medical care has been needed.
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