Johnston County, NC - Obituary of N.B. Strickland ¤¤¤¤¤¤ Smithfield Herald August 26, 1949 Rites Held for N.B. Strickland Town's Oldest Citizen Dies At Age of 105 Smithfield's oldest citizen, Needham Bennett Strickland, died here this week at the age of 105. He would have celebrated his 106th birthday next month. Mr. Strickland who was born September 30, 1843 and was a teen-age youth during the Civil War was a native Johnstonian. His birthplace was located in the vicinity of what is now the town of Four Oaks. The Johnstonian was a firm believer that people would live longer if they worked harder. "Work never hurt anybody-helps 'em, makes 'em live long," he declared in an interview once. He was an active worker until approximately 13 years ago. Mr. Strickland was a brickmason, carpenter and plasterer. He at one time would have an early breakfast at 3 a.m. and walk 10 miles from Four Oaks to Clayton, zigzagging through the woods in a trot, put in a full day's work from sunup to sundown laying brick and then walk home. He preferred walking to riding and never liked to travel. Once a few years after the Civil War he was presuaded to go to Raleigh. That was the longest trip he ever made, and he "never cared to go again." At the age of 88 he went to a doctor for the first time. He never went to a show of any kind-tent show, carnival, circus or movies. His wife was Nancy Isabel Blackman, who died 12 years ago. They were married for 65 years and during that time he spent only three nights away from her. Death came to Mr. Strickland Monday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A.Z. West of Smithfield, with whom he was residing. Funeral was conducted at Barber's Chapel Church of which he was a charter member Tuesday afternoon by the pastor, the Rev. J.F. Warren. Interment was in the church cemetery. Surviving are three sons, Archie Strickland of Four Oaks, R.B. Strickland of Wilson Mills, and L.B. Strickland of Selma; three daughters, Mrs. West, Mrs. W.C. Lassiter of Selma, and Mrs. Julius A. Barber of Four Oaks; and approximately 100 grandchildren and great grandchildren. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Tammy Tyner ___________________________________________________________________