Barry County Missouri  - Mr. and Mrs W. O. Akin - Joplin Globe 1938
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Mr. and Mrs W. O. Akin who live in the Leann community
near Jenkins are believed to be the oldest couple in Missouri.
Source Joplin Globe 1938
Submitted by: Alyson Crippen
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Mr. and Mrs W. O. Akin who live in the Leann community near Jenkins  are
believed to be the oldest couple in Missouri. They are the parents of O.
H. Akin, of Pioneer, and of Mrs. R. A. Ellis,  of  Ozark  Township,  and
grandparents of attorney, Royle Ellis, of Cassville. Mr. and  Mrs.  Akin
are each 94 years old. A few days ago  Mrs.  Akin  wrote  the  following
which appeared this morning, Thursday, in the Joplin Globe:

"I was born in Ray (Rhea) County, Tenn. in  1844,  and  moved  over  the
Cumberland mountains to Overton county; lived there  until  1862,  then,
during the Civil War, was married in Cumberland, KY.,  and  lived  there
until 1871, when we came to Missouri.

"We homesteaded 80 acres of  land  and  are  still  living  on  the  old
homestead.

"I am the mother of eight living children. My oldest  son  died  a  year
ago.

"When we came here (Barry County), it was almost a wilderness. Wild game
was plentiful. Wild turkeys would come near our house and feed with  the
chickens.

We improved our farm, but have gone through many hardships. But I  still
am up and busy all the time, cutting pieces and quilting quilts. I  have
pieced 10 quilt tops in the last year, and quilted some of  them.  I  am
always at work at something.

"I lay my ripe old age to industry and honesty, and living  a  Christian
life. When I have time, I read my Bible and try to obey the commandments
as far as I can.

"I will be 94 years old the  sixteenth  of  August.  My  husband  is  an
invalid. He was 94 the fourteenth of last April.

"This is written by my own hands and eyes."

"Mrs. Susan Akins"

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