BIOGRAPHY

Lida Walton was born in Holland, Pennsylvania, USA, on 15 November 1889, to parents Elmer Reading Cornell (1866–1906) and Anna Leedom Carter (1868–1955). She had an older brother, Horace Sproul “Slim” Cornell (1888–1947). She was born on the Cornell family farm in Holland, now the site of Villa Joseph Marie High School. It was on this farm that she met her husband, Albert Conard Walton (1884–1957), who had come to help with plowing. They married in 1910 and settled at Ashlyn Farm in Ivyland.

According to her family, she became the backbone of the farm, managing everything from supervising finances and household chores to working in the fields and preparing food for market in Philadelphia. During her years on the farm, she also raised a daughter and three sons. Alongside her responsibilities at home, she volunteered as a Gray Lady at Abington Memorial Hospital.

In 1957, after 47 years of marriage, her husband passed away. She sold the farm and moved to Doylestown. At the age of 68, she began a period of travel, exploring destinations around the world, including China, Tibet, Siberia, Nepal, Egypt, Vietnam, and various other parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Even into her 90s, she continued planning adventures, such as a three-week trip through Europe. When she wasn’t traveling, she remained active in her community. She was a member of the Doylestown Garden Club and the Bucks County Historical Society.

Known for her strong will and quick sense of humor, she often shared her secret to a long life: “All ill health comes from not eating enough vegetables.” She never smoked and was known for her commitment to daily exercise. Her son William attributed her longevity to her diet, which included plenty of protein, readily available on the farm, and an abundance of vegetables.

Lida Walton passed away in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, on 1 March 2000, at the age of 110 years, 107 days. She was survived by her sons William (87) and John (81), five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg and Stefan Maglov, and validated by LongeviQuest on 17 December 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “The Doylestown woman looks forward to many more birthdays.” – Doylestown Intelligencer, 22 March 1999

* “Lida Cornell Walton, 110, farmer and traveler” – The Philadelphia Inquirer, 4 March 2000

* Lida Cornell Walton – Find A Grave

GALLERY