REMEMBERS LUNDY’S LANE

“UNCLE ADAM” MISENER AND HIS HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY

Gathering of His Descendants and Friends on Monday Last at Troy.

[Welland Tribune, 4 March 1898]

Troy, Ont., Feb. 25-the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the birthday of Adam Misener, a photogravure of whom appeared in the Grove of last Saturday, took place Monday afternoon and evening. The afternoon incident was a dinner in the town hall, followed by a public reception in the Methodist church in the evening, which was continued subsequently till a late hour at the old homestead. There were about 300 relatives and friends present. “Uncle Adam” as he is best known in the district, was taken by surprise. Among other things he stated that he had not realized till his birthday occasion that he had so many near relatives and friends, but was always satisfied that he had not an enemy. At the dinner “the centenarian” took the head of the table. On his right and left were seated the relatives and friends. Nine of his ten children are living, five of whom were present, as follows:-Conrad Misener of Troy; Henry Misener of Detroit, Mich.; Catharine Buckberrough (widow), Tillsonburg; Mrs. Amelia Smith, Goderich, and Eliza Vansickle of Harrisburg. After dinner and some social congratulations the assemblage adjourned to the church for the reception. Mr. Chas. Cummings of Galt presided. Short addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Showers of Sheffield; Rev. Thos. Athoe, Lynden; J.L. Addison, M.D., St. George; Editor Havernon, St. George; Wellington Mulholland, Geo. Hunt, John Betsner of Troy and others. An unusual event was the march past of the 104 relatives present. Five generations were represented. The total now living, present and absent, are as follows:-Adam Misener, the centenarian; his nine children; 54 grandchildren, 160 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren; total 238.

An interesting musical programme was carried out, which added to the enjoyment of the occasion. Mr. Misener is a man very active for his age, so much so that he refused to be driven in a rig to the dinner in the hall, preferring to walk. In the course of a chat he stated that his first call out in arms was in the volunteer militia, under Capt. John Warren, on June 4, 1816, in the celebration of “the king’s birthday,” of George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland. He was also called out in Dundas during the rebellion of 1837, and he takes pride in stating that he served under the reign of four British sovereigns-King George III, George IV, William IV and her majesty Queen Victoria. Mr. Misener was of course born in the eighteenth century, February 20, 1798, and has now lived nearly through the nineteenth, and expects if his usual health continues, to celebrate another birthday in the twentieth century. (21 September 1901}. He remembers well the Battle of Lundy’ Lane. His father, Nicholas, and family at that time lived only a few miles distant from the Niagara river, in Crowland township. They could hear the engagement, especially the roar of the 32-pounders. After the battle he with his sisters ventured on the battle ground, saw the blood stains, the shattered trees, fence-rails, etc., the result of cannon and rifle balls. He remembers counting 42 bullet holes.

On the spur of the moment, as a birthday present, a purse of $86 was made up and handed the old gentleman in commemoration of the day. He received also many congratulatory telegrams, one being from his nephew, Henry Sharon, in California. Hamilton was represented at the gathering by W. Babcock of the Bell Piano Co. and J.H. Mattice of The Globe. “Uncle Adam” is greatly interested in the elections, ands states that he will be on hand next Tuesday and vote as usual for the North Westworth Liberal candidate.

“Uncle Adam” despite his century of years, shaves himself regularly, and in his happiest moments will sing some of the old songs of his boyhood. Just before parting in the evening a friend offered him the courtesy of a cigar. The old gentleman declined, and remarked that he never had any use for tobacco, and that he had never used it except to kill vermin on the farm stock. It is safe to say that this event will never be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to be present.