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As I approached the back, cement walk at Alta Wise’s home, route 5, Princeton, on Wednesday, I noticed the year “1917” carved in the cement. After talking with Miss Wise it came to me the walk uas built two years after she moved into the dwelling for she informed me she has lived at her present address for 65 years.Her birthday on Oct. 11, was the occasion of my visit and although she didn’t reveal her age she admitted to being an octogenarian, which is a fancy way of saying in your 80*s. About 20 friends and neighbors called on Miss Wise Saturday and Sunday to honor her as a long-standing citizen and share birthday cake.The honoree’s parents, Henry and Anna Wise, farmed the Wise homestead in Malden, later purchasing 120 acres in Princeton. Mrs. Wise was a sister of the Late William Allen, long-time Princeton resident. Miss Wise sold 20 acres and has leased the remaining 100 to Thomas Wood. Her grandparents, John and Lucinda Wise, came from Ashville, N. C., and Bowling Green, Ky., respectively, and purchased the Malden land in 1832 for $1.50 an acre. To raise the money grandfather made ladder back chairs by candle light and sold them. The grandparents of the late Mrs. Grace (Clark) Norris bought adjoining land, and two of the chairs came into her possession and were later given to Miss Wise, who has proudly placed them in her parlor, along with a large, primitive portrait of her mother.Some may remember Miss Wise during her nine-year sojourn as manager of the Trimble greenhouse. After high school she was sent to Valparaiso university, Ind., which was considered pretty far away from home in those days, and she confessed she became mighty homesick. She came home to stay a long time. Happy Birthday, Miss Wise!
Newspaper Details
Princeton Bureau County Republican
Princeton, Illinois, US
Thu, Oct 15, 1970
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Robyn P.
AZ, USA 02 Apr 2017
Other Publications Near Princeton, Illinois
Princeton Bureau County Record
Princeton Bureau County Republican
Princeton Bureau County Fair Daily
Princeton Bureau County Tribune
