[Powell.GED]

100 year Birthday for John W. Propst

ALBANY, April 13,--John J. Propst celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth at his farm home five miles east of Albany on the Santiam highway Monday. Sunday was also a gala day for the aged Linn County man who has spent 85 of his 100 years of his life in Linn County. Over a hundred friends and relatives called at the Propst home Sunday, while many more were visitors on Monday to wish Mr. Propst a happy birthday and extend greetings to him. He was the recipient of many cards, flowers and candy as well as other gifts.

Mr. Propst was born April 12, 1837, in Menard County, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Propst, and the eldest of five children. Three of his mother's brothers, John A. Powell, Alfred, Powell and Noah Powell, were the well-known pioneer ministers of the Christian Church of the early 50's (1850's)and who were active in establishing many church organizations throughput the northwest.

Pioneer of 1852---

The Propst family left their native state in 1852, with two large wagons in which were their worldly goods, ten yoke of oxen, a herd of 12 cows and one bull for the new country. They traveled independent of the greater number of immigrants. The train was captained by Van DeLaskmutt and in addition to the family of John Propst's parents, included Frank Propst, Jack Lowe and Anthony Campbell. The trip took six months.

Both John Propst's parents died on the trip. John was "bound out" to an uncle, Joab Powell, and was with his family a year on Howell Prairie, Marion County. He has lived the last 76 years on a 115 acre farm (bought at $6.00 an acre) on the Santiam highway five miles east of Albany.

Mr. Propst married Margaret Cole, daughter of Elizabeth and Chancy Cole, pioneers of Scio, November 1, 1860. Mrs. Propst died in 1918. The little house which Mr. Propst built for his bride in 1861 is still standing and is in good condition. It is used now for a fruit and vegetable house.

Only one of Mr. Propst three children is living, Quincy, who makes his home with his father. Mr Propst has been an active granger and was a pioneer in the grange movement in Oregon. He was a charter member of Harmony grange. He has been a member of the Christian Church most of his life.

His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Propst enjoys good health. He has never used tobacco, never tasted intoxicating liquor, goes about the house and yard with the use of a cane, uses glasses only for reading fine print or when writing in his diary, and has his natural teeth. He says his one weakness is a fear of debts and mortgages, and from these has kept himself free all his life.