While in Olean Saturday the editor
of the Mail called at the home of Mrs. Don Freeman and had a short visit
with her and her family and also her father, Uncle Enoch Maxson, whom we
have known for about 35 years and who for many years was a constant reader
of the "Mail." We found the old gentleman up and about the home and in
fairly good bodily health. He remembers things that happened back 70 or
80 years ago better than those of today. The day was not celebrated as
Mrs. Freeman and family were just getting over the grippe.
He was born in Truxton, R.I. 100 years ago
Sunday, January 15, 1822, and came to Main Settlement with his parents
with ox-team and cart when he was a lad 9 years old. There he grew to manhood,
married and settled on a farm on the southside of the Oswayo creek in what
is known as Barbertown, Ceres township and where he resided and worked
at farming and lumbering which most of the people of this section did in
the early days. He made many trips down the Allegahny river on lumber rafts
during the spring floods, going to Warren, Pittsburg and Cincinnati. In
the early days the men used to walk back from Warren and Pittsburg. It
was hard work but such men as the Maxsons, Barbers, Crandalls, Smiths,
Packards, Lackeys and many others were used to it and made light of those
strenuous days on the river and in the pine woods.
Besides the daughter with whom he has lived
since 1903, there are two sons, Anson Maxson of Ceres, and Erwin E. Maxson
of Horse Run, 19 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 1 great-great
grandchild.
Mary Ann was born in Providence, RI,
on October 27, 1824, the daughter of Samuel Andrew Barber and Nancy Irene
Crandall.
She removed from Rhode Island to Barbertown,
Ceres Township, McKean County, PA, with her family by 1837. According to
family tradition, a panther was stalking her younger siblings. She attracted
the panther’s attention and held it until her father could dispatch the
dreaded predator, saving the life of at least one of her younger siblings.
On July 3, 1845, Mary Ann and Enoch Ira were
united in marriage. They settled in Barbertown, where they farmed and raised
seven children. Their descendants now reside throughout the United States
and in Japan and Holland.
Mary Ann passed away on February 22, 1905,
and was interred in the East Portville Cemetery, Main Settlement, Cattaraugus
County, NY.
--------------------
ENOCH MAXON,
Oldest Resident, Passes Away
Olean Times Herald
Apr 8, 1922
Centenarian In Falling Health For Some Time
Dies At home of Daughter In This City
Enoch Maxson, 100 years old, Olean's oldest
resident, passed away this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Ada Freeman, No. 120 Riverside Avenue. He had been in failing
health for some time.
He was born in Truxton, R.I., 100 years ago,
January 15, 1822, and went to Main Settlement with his parents with ox-team
and cart when he was a lad of 9 years old. There he grew to manhood, married
and settled on a farm on the south side of Oswayo creek in what is known
as Barbertown, Ceres township and where he resided and worked at farming
and lumbering which most of the people did in the early days. He made many
trips down the Allegaheny river on lumber rafts during the spring floods,
going to Warren, Pittsburg and Cincinnati. In the early days the men used
to walk back from Warren and Pittsburg.
Beside the daughter with whom he had lived
since 1903, there are two sons, Anson Maxson of Ceres, and Edwin E. Maxson
of Horse Run, 19 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 1 great-great
grandchild.
Prayer Services will be held at the house Monday
afternoon at 1:30 0'oclock and at the church in Main Settlement at 3 o'clock,
Rev. G.G. Williamson (?) officiating.
Burial will be made in the family plot in the
Main Settlement cemetery.
--------------------
Died At Age of Over 100 Years
Bolivar Breeze
April 13, 1922
Enoch Maxson, Brother of Edwin E. Maxson of
Bolivar Township, Passed Away at Olean, Saturday
Enoch Maxson, more than 100 years old, passed
away Saturday afternoon, April 8, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ada
Freeman, No. 120 Riverside avenue, Olean. He had been in failing health
for some time.
He was born in Truxton, R.I., 100 years ago,
January 15, 1822, and went to Main Settlement with his parents with ox-team
and cart when he was a lad of 9 years old. There he grew to manhood, married
and settled on a farm on the south side of Oswayo creek in what is known
as Barbertown, Ceres township, and where he resided and worked at farming
and lumbering which most of the people of that section did in the early
days. He made many trips down the Allegheny river on lumber rafts during
the spring floods, going to Warren, Pittsburg and Cincinnati. In the early
days the men used to walk back from Warren and Pittsburg.
Besides the daughter with whom he had lived
since 1903, there are two sons, Anson Maxson of Ceres, and Edwin E. Maxson
of Horse Run, town of Bolivar, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren
and one great-great grandchild.
The funeral and burial took place at Main Settlement
on Monday afternoon.
