The News, Thursday Morning, Sept. 29, 1927 Ninety-Five Years Young (there is a picture here) Mrs. Susan Melton, who will be 95 years old Jan. 11th, 1928. Rutherford County is noted for its aged and active citizens. It's ideal climate and healthy conditions are conducive to long life. It is nothing unusual for people to pass the century mark in Rutherford. "Aunt Susan" Melton of Ellenboro, Route 3, who lives with here daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Robt. P. Campbell and children, three miles south of Hollis, is one of Rutherford County's most remarkable women. She was born Jan. 11, 1833. She will celebrate her 95th birth anniversary next Jan. 11th. More than 500 relatives and friends attended annual birthday party last year. Mrs. Melton has been a widow 36 years. She is a native of Rutherford County and is a daughter of the late Jonathan Mauney. Mrs. Melton is the mother of twelve children, five of whom are living. The living children are; Mr. W. J. Melton, age 75, Buffalo, S.C.; Mr. Geo. Melton, age 74, Schoofield, Va.; Mrs. Robt. P. Campbell, age 65, Ellenboro, Route 3; Mrs. Eliza Bridges, age 60, Greenville, S. C., and Mrs. Etta McFarland, age 54, Hollis, Route one. Mrs. Melton has been slightly ill for the past five years. She was formerly a great reader and enjoys hearing others read now. She once used a little tobacco but uses practically no snuff or tobacco now. There were eleven children in her father's family. She was a twin and is the only surviving member of family and is the youngest. Mrs.. Melton has several great-great grandchildren and a large number of grandchildren. She was married at 18 years of age. One of her grandsons, Rev. R. Clifford Campbell is a pastor of the First Baptist church of Hickory, N. C. Another grandson, Mr. Coran Campbell is one of Cleveland County's most prominent poultry raisers and farmers. Mrs. Melton has done much hard work in her life. Plenty of exercise, regular habits of eating and sleeping, temperate in all things, are the main causes of her longevity, according to Mrs. Melton's own statement. She is in possession of all her faculties and enjoys remarkable health, for one of her age. Her memory is excellent. She hears well and can see some. She well remembers the Mexican war of 1845 and three other wars of this country. Twenty-four presidents of the United States have been inaugurated during her life time. She is a few months younger than her lifelong friend and kinsman "Aunt Ebbie" Martin who lives in the same township Duncan Creek. "Aunt Susan" Melton well remembers the days of slavery and the hard times following the Civil War. She remembers Sherman's march through Georgia and into the Carolinas. She has a most remarkable memory. She enjoys talking to her friends and relatives. Her descendants are scattered over the entire country. Many of them are prominent in the religious, civic and industrial life of the country. " Aunt Susan" has been a faithful member of the Baptist Church for seventy-seven years. When her health permitted, she always attended and took part. Mrs. Melton looks forward to her annual birthday on Jan 11th. We predict that she will pass the Century mark. She is the third oldest known woman in Rutherford county. Mrs. Cella Dycus, who recently celebrated her 96th birthday is the oldest. "Aunt Ebbie" Martin who is in her 96th year is the second while Mrs. Melton is the third. ("Aunt Susan" died Nov. 1929, ra) Ronald Arrowood K4HLO Sunshine, NC