The Stories He Could Tell

WOWZEE - 108. From the Press Gazette

I live in Oconto County so I thought this was neat. Oconto County is a fine county with rich history. I didn't know Elijah but he probably is a part of our history. At 108 years old, the stories he could tell us. He sure had a good attitude. I love local history.

Elijah, may God meet you at heavens door.

Oconto Co. man dies at age 108
OCONTO FALLS — Elijah Spencer, a Kentucky native who moved to Wisconsin in the 1920s to work as a logger, died Thursday, two months after celebrating his 108th birthday.

He was born March 12, 1900, in Campton, Ky. Though Spencer left his hometown when he was 24, he returned there three years later to marry Esther Cable. They returned to Wisconsin and settled in Laona, where Elijah worked for the Connor Lumber Co.

In the early 1950s, they moved to Suring, where he farmed and raised cattle until retiring in 1972. Esther Spencer died in 1994 after 66 years of marriage.

Spencer attributed his longevity to hard work and the motto "laugh a lot, pray a lot and trust in the Lord," according to an obituary prepared by his family.

He is survived by two daughters, a son, 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, a half-sister and other family members.


Services will be Monday at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring. Visitation is at 9 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Crandon.