Taken from newspaper article dated 1955–South Bloomfield Township’s Oldest Citizen Goes to Polls Unassisted at 94
South Bloomfield township’s oldest citizen walked from his home in Sparta to the township house where he cast his vote unassisted on Nov 8. He is Charles Monroe Mitchell, age 94. Mr Mitchell was born July 17, 1861.
The oldest of a family of 2 girls and 4 boys, he is now the only living member of that family.
When asked why, in his opinion, he has lived to such a good age and health, he replied, “Hard work never hurt anyone. I gave it a try.” “I have hung paper in over 900 different homes, painted over 40 houses and barns, made over 1000 ladders and I don’t know how many single and double trees and neck yokes.” “In my younger days I did carpenter work building houses and barns.”
“I have worn out 3 automobiles but don’t drive any more.” “I still like to take long rides. This summer friends have taken my wife and I on several 100 mile trips.”
When asked if the trips tired him Mr Mitchell said, “I always feel better when we get home than I did when we started.”
Mr Mitchell would like to be able to make ladders and sell them at the price they are now. “I guess I sold mine too darn cheap,” he exclaims.