Wednesday, December 18, 1901
The Times, Richmond, Va.
DEATH OF OLDEST MAN IN VIRGINIA
Mr. Argenbright Nearly Century and a Year.
BAPTISMAL RECORD
Testifies With Certainty of His Wonderful Longevity
BORN AND LIVED IN AUGUSTA
At the Age of Ninety-eight He Carried Shingles Up a Ladder to Roof a House-
Had Long Been a Respected and Prominent Citizen in His Locality
STAUNTON, VA., Dec. 17. - After living through a whole century and lacking only a few days of living within three centuries, Mr. George Lewis Argenbright, perhaps the oldest citizen in Virginia, died this morning; one hundred years and eleven months old.
Many persons reputed to have been centenarians could not fully substantiate their age, but in Mr. Argenbright's case he was not only a man of prominence and intelligence, who well knew himself of his remarkable longevity, but his baptismal certificate, given below, a matter of court record, establishes his great age without doubt. Had he lived until the 17th of next month he would have rounded out his one hundred and first year, having lived his entire life in the county in which he was born.
NATIVE OF VIRGINIA.
Mr. Argenbright was a highly respected citizen of Augusta county, and was born January 17, 1801, in the western part of the county, and was a son of Jacob and Christina Argenbright. The family then moved to Middlebrook, Augusta county. Mr. Argenbright was of very frail constitution when a young man, and went to New Market to consult Dr. Soloman Henkle (the ancestor of the Staunton Henkles) as to his health. Dr. Henkle advised him to go on a farm, and he moved to the Greenville neighborhood, where he has since lived, and where he has had remarkable good health. There is no doubt or question whatever as to Mr. Argenbright's age. A baptismal certificate preserved in the family and written in German by Rev. C. A. Reckert (a copy of which is given below) was prepared when he was in his fourth year. There are other certificates of other members of the family at the same time, and which are preserved now by the family.
A LUTHERAN.
Mr. Argenbright joined the Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1833 and retained his membership in Mr. Taber church, Augusta county, to the present day. For many years. however, and for convenience and because he liked the church and preacher, he has attended Bethel Presbyterian Church, Augusta County, Rev. R. A. Lapsley, pastor. )
Mr. Argenbright had a good elementary education and was specially good in mathematics. He was a man of remarkable even temperament; never drank, nor used tobacco in his life; always looking on the bright side of life, and took the whorl as it came. He made his home with his son, James L. Argenbright, and [James'] widowed sister, Mrs. E. V. Hawpe, and had gone about the place doing such work as suited him right along until a few weeks ago. When he was 98 years old some one passing by saw him carrying shingles up a ladder to those who were shingling the house. Perhaps a remarkable thing in this line is that the old gentleman up to a few weeks ago shaved himself.
FAMILY OF LONGEVITY.
Mr. Argenbright is not the only member of his family who lived to an old age. His mother lived until 1866, when she died at the age of 94. His brother, David Argenbright, lived near Chattanooga, Tenn., who died three or four years ago at the age of 94.
In June 1842, Argenbright married Mary L. Bishop, who died in 1891, leaving three children, Mrs. E. V. Hawpe, James L. Argenbright and Newton Argenbright. (Mr. Newton Argenbright is now and has been for many years clerk of the Hustings Court for the city of Staunton.)
The Mauer mentioned in the baptismal certificate is the progenitor of Mauer family of Augusta county, and is the side of the house from which the longevity seems to have come.
BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE.
The following is the baptismal certificate which confirms his age: George L. Argenbright was born on the 17th day of January, 1801, in Augusta county, State of New Virginia, North America, of evangelistic Lutheran parents. The father's name is Jacob Argenbright, and the mother's name Christina Argenbright (nee Mauer). The witnesses of the baptism were the Hon. George Lewis Mauer and his wife Christina.
O, child, now that you are baptized and call yourself and all your own after the name of Jesus Christ, take good care and never forget how much good He has done you on the day of your baptism. Guide my mind, which is too full of worldly things, that I may not wander away from Thee, but stay in Thy bounds, be Thou my gain. Give me Thy mind, and plant the impulse of Thy spirit in my soul, that I may watch and pray, so that I may stand before Thy face with joy and have pure love in my soul.
Executed in Augusta county, New Virginia, on the 13th day of April, in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1804.
C. A. RECKERT
Schola colegn.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Obituary provided by Clifford Mullis 3 Oct 2011
Wednesday, December 18, 1901
The Times, Richmond, Va.
DEATH OF OLDEST MAN IN VIRGINIA
Mr. Argenbright Nearly Century and a Year.
BAPTISMAL RECORD
Testifies With Certainty of His Wonderful Longevity
BORN AND LIVED IN AUGUSTA
At the Age of Ninety-eight He Carried Shingles Up a Ladder to Roof a House-
Had Long Been a Respected and Prominent Citizen in His Locality
STAUNTON, VA., Dec. 17. - After living through a whole century and lacking only a few days of living within three centuries, Mr. George Lewis Argenbright, perhaps the oldest citizen in Virginia, died this morning; one hundred years and eleven months old.
Many persons reputed to have been centenarians could not fully substantiate their age, but in Mr. Argenbright's case he was not only a man of prominence and intelligence, who well knew himself of his remarkable longevity, but his baptismal certificate, given below, a matter of court record, establishes his great age without doubt. Had he lived until the 17th of next month he would have rounded out his one hundred and first year, having lived his entire life in the county in which he was born.
NATIVE OF VIRGINIA.
Mr. Argenbright was a highly respected citizen of Augusta county, and was born January 17, 1801, in the western part of the county, and was a son of Jacob and Christina Argenbright. The family then moved to Middlebrook, Augusta county. Mr. Argenbright was of very frail constitution when a young man, and went to New Market to consult Dr. Soloman Henkle (the ancestor of the Staunton Henkles) as to his health. Dr. Henkle advised him to go on a farm, and he moved to the Greenville neighborhood, where he has since lived, and where he has had remarkable good health. There is no doubt or question whatever as to Mr. Argenbright's age. A baptismal certificate preserved in the family and written in German by Rev. C. A. Reckert (a copy of which is given below) was prepared when he was in his fourth year. There are other certificates of other members of the family at the same time, and which are preserved now by the family.
A LUTHERAN.
Mr. Argenbright joined the Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1833 and retained his membership in Mr. Taber church, Augusta county, to the present day. For many years. however, and for convenience and because he liked the church and preacher, he has attended Bethel Presbyterian Church, Augusta County, Rev. R. A. Lapsley, pastor. )
Mr. Argenbright had a good elementary education and was specially good in mathematics. He was a man of remarkable even temperament; never drank, nor used tobacco in his life; always looking on the bright side of life, and took the whorl as it came. He made his home with his son, James L. Argenbright, and [James'] widowed sister, Mrs. E. V. Hawpe, and had gone about the place doing such work as suited him right along until a few weeks ago. When he was 98 years old some one passing by saw him carrying shingles up a ladder to those who were shingling the house. Perhaps a remarkable thing in this line is that the old gentleman up to a few weeks ago shaved himself.
FAMILY OF LONGEVITY.
Mr. Argenbright is not the only member of his family who lived to an old age. His mother lived until 1866, when she died at the age of 94. His brother, David Argenbright, lived near Chattanooga, Tenn., who died three or four years ago at the age of 94.
In June 1842, Argenbright married Mary L. Bishop, who died in 1891, leaving three children, Mrs. E. V. Hawpe, James L. Argenbright and Newton Argenbright. (Mr. Newton Argenbright is now and has been for many years clerk of the Hustings Court for the city of Staunton.)
The Mauer mentioned in the baptismal certificate is the progenitor of Mauer family of Augusta county, and is the side of the house from which the longevity seems to have come.
BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE.
The following is the baptismal certificate which confirms his age: George L. Argenbright was born on the 17th day of January, 1801, in Augusta county, State of New Virginia, North America, of evangelistic Lutheran parents. The father's name is Jacob Argenbright, and the mother's name Christina Argenbright (nee Mauer). The witnesses of the baptism were the Hon. George Lewis Mauer and his wife Christina.
O, child, now that you are baptized and call yourself and all your own after the name of Jesus Christ, take good care and never forget how much good He has done you on the day of your baptism. Guide my mind, which is too full of worldly things, that I may not wander away from Thee, but stay in Thy bounds, be Thou my gain. Give me Thy mind, and plant the impulse of Thy spirit in my soul, that I may watch and pray, so that I may stand before Thy face with joy and have pure love in my soul.
Executed in Augusta county, New Virginia, on the 13th day of April, in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1804.
C. A. RECKERT
Schola colegn.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Obituary provided by Clifford Mullis 3 Oct 2011
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