"PLAYED CARDS, ENJOYS FESTIVITIES, ON HIS
ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY
Here is Francis Ferdinand Mekus, the man whose formula for living 100 years has drawn the attention and interest of people throughout the country.
His instructions are: walk lots, eat less, play pinocle. In other words, he has proved that proper exercise, temperate habits and wholesome pastimes are requisites of good health and long life."
"Playing cards with his middle-aged sons and enjoying the festivities provided by 50 members of his family who gathered to celebrate Francis Ferdinand Mekus today, flung a challenge at Old Age, as he entered upon his 101st year.
A century old today!
That distinction which comes to few inhabitants of this planet brought scores of neighbors and friends to the home of the pioneer, Adams township resident, where they joined a company of 50 relatives in wishing him the best returns of the day.
Says Mass of Front Porch
At 11 o'clock through special authority granted by Bishop Schrembs, Rev. Fr. G. Schmitz of St. Michael's Ridge church said mass on the front porch of the Mekus home, in an impressive service unique in the annals of this county. The entire veranda had been beautifully decorated with flowers, and the places of honor were held by the eleven children of Mr. Mekus, all of whom were present:
Mrs. Mary Vernie, Toledo
Sister Fabiola, Lafayette, Ind.
Mrs. John Clemens, Defiance
Ferd Mekus, Jewell
Christ Mekus, Defiance, Rt. 4
John Mekus, Defiance, Rt. 3
Andrew Mekus, Defiance, Rt. 4
Frank Mekus, Defiance, Rt. 4
Henry Mekus,Defiance, Rt. 4
Mrs. John Coressel, Jewell, Rt. 2
Miss Josephine Mekus, Defiance, Rt. 4
Mass servers at the unusual religious service on the veranda of the house were four grandsons: Bernard Coressel, Hubert Mekus, Francis Mekus and Victor Mekus.
Following mass, dinner was served in the front yard under a big canvas which had been put up for the occasion, more than 50 members of the family partaking of the bountiful feast. Besides his 11 children, Mr. Mekus has 28 grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren.
Born in Westphalia
Born in Westphalia, Germany in 1821, and coming to America in 1870, Mr. Mekus has seen a half century in each land. He was already nine years old at the time King Charles was expelled from Brunswick, and was nearly grown to manhood when Frederick William III died in 1840, and was succeeded by his son as King of Prussia. He saw the revolutionary movements of 1848, the construction of the German empire, the elevation of Wilhelm I to the throne, and the beginning of the Franco-Prussian war.
Then he came to America just as the seceded states were being restored to their full rights in the union, and witnessed the commercial and industrial development of the nation which led up to the opening of the present century.
Sees Changes in Country
Today, however, recalls to a great degree the changes he has witnessed in Defiance county in the past 50 years since he first took up his residence on 80 acres of woodland now owned by Henry Coressel, along the ridge in Adams township. About a year later he moved to the farm on which he lives with his son, Andrew, and daughter, Josephine.
Most of the land around him was forest, and his sturdy physique was responsible for clearing many acres of the land which surrounds the present home.
Mr. Mekus was married Nov. 6, 1860, to Mary Ellert. When they came to America ten years later, they brought with them six of the children who were among the celebrants at today's festivities. The five younger children were born in Adams township. Mrs. Mekus died in 1902.
Pinochle has been Mr. Mekus's favorite pastime for many years. He has always said he would play pinochle on his 100th birthday.
And he did."
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