Frances Bartels

BIOGRAPHY

Bartels was born Frances Gordon in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on 7 May 1906, the middle child of Joseph and Bertha Gordon, who were farmers. She had an older sister, Josephine, and a younger brother, William. In 1925, the family relocated to California. Her ancestry traces back to British-Welsh settlers who arrived in America in the 1600s. In her youth, Bartels loved horseback riding and square dancing.

Growing up in the era of horse-drawn buggies, Bartels’ family didn’t own a car until she was in high school. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Carl Bartels. When Carl proposed before her family’s move to California, she declined but promised not to date anyone else for a year. Carl, determined, followed her to California with just two weeks left before her deadline. The two married in 1926 and went on to have two daughters, Madeleine and Jacqueline.

The Bartels family settled on a ranch in California’s Bay Area, primarily in Sunol, Alameda County. There, they managed a dairy operation and raised chickens and turkeys. In 1974, Carl and Frances moved to Jamestown, where they operated a cattle ranch. Frances remained active well into her later years—riding horses until her last horse passed away and cutting her own firewood until her early 90s. She continued yard work until she was 105. Even in her later years, she stayed busy crocheting and knitting. The couple traveled extensively across the United States, visiting every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

Bartels attributed her longevity to a lifetime of healthy eating and hard work. She was a proponent of dark chocolate, honey, and a worry-free attitude, always encouraging others to adopt the same habits. On her 110th birthday, it was reported that she planned to live to 126. Bartels lived independently in her Jamestown home until she was 109 when an illness required her to move to Avalon Care Center.

Bartels passed away in Jamestown, California, on 23 November 2016, at the age of 110 years, 200 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Stefan Maglov, Anri K., and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 14 January 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “A centenarian, plus 10” – The Union Democrat, 24 May 2016

GALLERY

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