from Independence, KS. newspaper Nov 15, 1931)

JAMES R. CHRISMAN COMES TO END OF A 96-YEAR LIFE CYCLE

Independence's Oldest Person Went Pioneering at Age of 70

Independence's oldest person, James R. Chrisman, is dead at the age of 96 years, just short one month and two days of 97.

The end came at 10 o'clock last night at the home of a daughter, Mrs. John Owen, 1109 North Tenth. He had been ill for the past six weeks and physicians had given up hope for recovery several days ago. A general breakdown due to his advanced age and blood poisoning were the cause of death.

Grouped by the bedside were his daughers, Mrs. Owen, who had made a home for her father for the past 20 years, and Mrs. W. Whitaker of Omaha.

Mr. Chrisman was more proud of the fact that he served with the Kentucky state militia without pay throughout the Civil War than he was of his longevity. He claimed to be one of eight members of the company who were not captured or deserted during their several years of activity. After the war he was captain of a company that aided in ridding his section of the state of "carpetbaggers" and other undesirable citizens.

A silver medal, awarded for his service, was one of his proud possessions.

An outstanding phase in his long career was that he made a start in life at the age of 70 years. He took a claim in the Indian Territory in 1896 near what is now the Kansas-Oklahoma line in Osage county and lived alone for six years proving his place. Then he sold the farm and came to Independence to spend the remainder of his life.

Born in Monticello, Ky, Dec 16, 1834, Mr. Chrisman brought his family to Kansas in a covered wagon in 1870. They settled near Perry. His wife, whom he married in 1855, died two years later. His only lodge affiliation was the Masonic order which he joined nearly 75 years ago. He also was a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Chrisman was badly crippled and he remained at home most of the time. Consequently he was not widely known. He loved to read and kept abreast of the times. In an interview last June, he expressed the desire to live to be one hundred years old.

Hi death followed closely that of William Mozier, the city's second oldest person, who died October 15 at the age of 95 years.

Besides his two daughters mentioned, two sons, Charles Chrisman of Pawhuska and Arthur Chrisman of Omaha.

The funeral will be conducted at the Jackson chapel Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and burial will be in Mount Hope.

Note: obit provided by Joe Chrisman (#47202017)