Anna Barr Rockwood

• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via brother Amos Milton Musser by SmartCopy: Nov 14 2014, 15:51:53 UTC

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THE OGDEN (UTAH) STANDARD-EXAMINER Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1950

Woman, 100, Gets Truman Telegram

IONA, Idaho, Feb. 7 (UP)—Mrs. Anna S. Rockwood, lona, today proudly displayed a letter from President Truman and telegrams from two foreign countries, congratulating her on her 100th birthday.

Mrs. Rockwood. who observed her 100th birthday Saturday, said,"I always knew I'd live to be 100" as she greeted friends who called to wish her a happy birthday. The telegrams from the foreign countries care from her two grandsons, Horton Telford of the American embassy in Paris, and Tarlos Hall of the American embassy in Chili.

THE OGDEN (UTAH) STANDARD-EXAMINER Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1950

CENTARIAN DIED

IONA, Oct 2 (1950)--Death closed the colorful life of Mrs. Anna Starr Rockwood, Iona centarian, Monday morning.

On February 3, the venerable East Idaho pioneer celebrated her one hundredth birthday with reception at her home in Iona.

Until two years ago, when she suffered a stroke, she did all her housework, cared for her flowers and fed her chickens.

She is well known in the valley where she has lived since 1898. She came here at the time with the late Charles L. Rockwood and located at Iona.

Active in LDS Cjurch work, she served on the Relief Society Stake Board in the early days, traveling from Blackfoot to Rexburg in a horse and buggy to pay official visits.

She was born February 3, 1850 in Salt Lake City, just three years after the pioneers entered Salt Lake Valley.

In addition to rearing six sons and daughters of her own, she also reared two foster children.

Her husband died several years ago. Survivors include these sons and daughters: Mrs. Lula Hall, Faggstaff, Arizona; Mrs. Martha Telford, Mrs. Eva Chaffin and Mrs. Ella Nielsen, all of Idaho Falls; Amos Rockwood and Bryant Rockwood, both of Iona; Mrs. Eileen Janes Nelson and Eddie Janes; forty-four grandchildren and 67 great grandchildren also survive.

We mentioned in our booklet last year that Mrs. Anna Rockwood had passed her ninety-ninth milestone in her life. On February 3, 1950, she was one hundred years old.

Three years ago she suffered a stroke and has been bedridden, but her mind is very active and she enjoys visiting with people and keeping abreast of the times.

On her birthday about 150 people called and she received lovely presents. Jack McElroy from Hollywood, sent her an orchid. She also received a message of congratulation from President Harry Truman, which read as follows:

Dear Mrs. Rockwood,

I have been told some very interesting things about you and your distinquished pioneer ancestors, and that you are among the few to have the privelege of becoming a centenarian.

For this special event, which you will observe on February 3rd, I am happy to extend my warm felicitations and good wishes. It is a pleasure indeed to join with your host of loved ones and many friends in honoring you on this memorable milestone of your long and useful life.

Very Sincerely Yours, Harry S. Truman

We all hope that her remaining time of life may be as happy and useful

(Special to The Post-Keglster) IONA, Jan. 17.—Mrs. Anna S. Rockwood has always felt that she would live to be a hundred years old and she has!

The apartment of Mrs. Rockwoodin lona is abuzz with preparations to celebrate Mrs. Rockwood's one hundredth birthday anniversary February 3 with an open house reception from 1 to 3 p.m., relatives announced Tuesday.

Since having a stroke two years ago the centenarian has not been active physically, "but she has no pain nor feeling of sickness she feels fine," her son A. W. Rockwood, lona, said Tuesday, "Her mind is active and her spirit merry as she keeps abreast of events from her bed by talking to people who come in, listening to the radio and reading a little. She is looking forward to a visit from many friends and relatives during the open house reception."

At the age of 89, Mrs. Rockwood underwent an operation for her eyes, being totally blind. She recovered her sight and took up reading again with a pair of "trick" glasses which she turns "inside out" when she is not reading.

Her ninety-seventh birthday anniversary she spent recuperating from pneumonia in a local hospital. Two years ago she had a stroke which paralyzed one side but none of these setbacks have bothered the dauntless Idaho pioneer woman.

Her son "felt sure that she will live to be at least 105 years of age," and her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Nelson, who has been staying with her mother the past three years, agrees.

Nothing Unusual The century old matron doesn't contribute her longevity to anything unusual to live to be a hundred is no wonderful feat," she said "It's just a natural consequence of living. I always thought I'd live to be a hundred." "Mother ate the same things as everyone else, and worked just as hard. Her long life is the result "of a good life," Mrs. Nelson explained.

Until two years ago Mrs. Rockwood, who was born February 3, 185O, In Salt Lake City, three years after the LDS pioneers entered the Salt Lake valley, did all of her own housework, cared for her flowere and fed her chickens.

She is well-known in lona to where she came In 1898 with her husband, the late Charles W. Rockwood.

Active in LDS church work She served on the Relief Society Stake board in the early days, traveling from Blackfoot to Rexburg in a horse and buggy to pay official visits.

Son and Daughters Her living sons and daughters include Mrs. Lulu Hall, Flagstaff, Arizona, who will probably not be able to be here for the celebration; Mrs. Martha Telford, Mrs. Eva Chaffin, both of Idaho Falls; A W. Rockwood, B. M. Rockwood and Mrs. Nelion, all of lona.

The Interesting pioneer alto reared a foster son and daughter, Mrs. Eileen Nelson and Eddie Janes.

The last time the took the census Mrs. Rockwood had 44 grandchilden, 67 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren and she doubts that "they need all the attention they are getting these days."

Stating her formula for keeping fit Mrs. Rockwood said: "I go to bed early and sometimes sleep late. I have never indulged in strong drinks and I like plenty of exercise.

Post Register (Idaho Falls, Idaho) January 17, 1950

ID: 100927 Last Name: Rockwood First Name: Anna S. Age: 100 Gender: F Cemetery: Salt Lake City, Utah Birth Date: 3 Feb 1850 Birth Place: Salt Lake City, Utah Date Died: 2 Oct 1950 Death Place: Iona, Idaho Father: Jared Starr Mother: Anna Barr Spouse: Charles W. Rockwood md. Sources: Post Register, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 2 Oct 1950, pg 1. 3 Oct 1950, pg 2. 5 Oct 1950, pg 8--picture. Remarks: Wood Funeral Home, Idaho Falls, Idaho* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 18 2021, 22:40:20 UTC