1867 Archives

LongeviQuest recently reviewed the case of Fannie Thomas of the United States – a previously validated supercentenarian who was the second-oldest living person and the second-oldest documented person on record (previously believed to have been the oldest person ever). She was born in Denver, Hancock County, Illinois, United States on 24 April 1867 and passed away in San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, California, USA, on 22 January 1981.

On her 100th birthday in 1967.
(Source: Find A Grave)

On 17 November 1980, at the age of 113 years, 207 days, she surpassed the final age of Mary Kelly (1851–1964), becoming the oldest person to ever live in the U.S. state of California, as well as the third-oldest person ever, behind Underwood (who was still living at the time), and Delina Filkins. On 25 November, she surpassed Filkins’ final age, becoming the second-oldest person ever. She held the title of California’s longevity record holder until 7 April 1996, when her final age was surpassed by Miriam Carpelan.

Fannie Thomas’s age was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records during her life, and the validation was later recognized by the Gerontology Research Group. However, the GRG validated her date of birth as 14 April 1867, contrary to the claimed date of birth of 24 April 1867. In November 2023, following a thorough review of documentation uncovered by Jimmy Lindberg, the Global Validation Commission reached the conclusion that Thomas’ claimed date of birth was accurate.

For more information about her life and previous validation, please view Fannie Thomas’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Eliza Underwood at 113 years old. She was an American supercentenarian recognized as the oldest person ever at the time of her death.

She was born as Eliza Jane Brown on 15 March 1867 in Clinton, North Carolina, USA. When she was eight years old, she lived with the Royals, a white family living nearby, for seven years.

In 1890, she was married to a preacher named Isham Underwood. In that same year, around September. their only daughter was born, and they named her Lenorah. It was around 1912 when the couple adopted a baby girl named Minnie.

Underwood shortly before her 111th birthday

After her husband passed away, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1973 to live with her daughter. Unfortunately, Lenorah Grant passed away in 1979. Eliza then went to live with her adopted daughter, Minnie Simmons, in Washington D.C., USA.

Mrs. Underwood mentioned that her secret to longevity was to never smoke or drink alcohol and be an active member of the church.

Eliza Underwood passed away on 27 January 1981 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Moreover, it was established that she was oldest person ever at the time of her death.

For more information, please visit Eliza Underwood’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce the age validation of Alicia Blanchet at 112 years old. She was an American supercentenarian known as the earliest recorded woman to reach 110 years old in Louisiana, USA. She was also the previous record holder as the state’s oldest woman ever.

Alicia Blanchet was born on 8 June 1867 in Erath, Louisiana, USA.

On 24 January 1887, she was married to Desire Blanchet and had seven children together.

In 1961 during her 90s, she moved into Consolata Nursing Home in New Iberia.

On her 105th birthday in 1972.
(Source: The Daily Advertiser)

She stated the secret to her longevity to be, “to let a happy smile more noticeable than snow-white hair and to let an enthusiastic attitude on life overshadow wrinkled hands and a slowed pace in walking.”

In June 1977, she became the first known female supercentenarian in Louisiana, USA, after celebrating her 110^th birthday. Sadly, two years later, Blanchet passed away on 9 November 1979 at Iberia Parish General Hospital. She was 112 years and 154 days old at the time of her death.

For more information, please visit Alicia Blanchet’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Minnie Druse of the United States at age 111. She was born in Kahoka, Missouri, United States on 21 July 1867. She was a sister, a wife, and a mother.

A few days before her 104th birthday.
(Source: Ames Daily Tribune)

As a young woman, Druse moved to Chicago and worked as a dress designer in a fashionable salon. In 1905 and 1906, her family went to Oklahoma Territory and started a photography business. After a year or two, they moved to Stronghurst, Illinois, and opened another photography business. His husband was granted the first US patent for recapping tires and for the first circular mold to produce tire treads.

In 1922, the Druse family moved from Missouri to Oskaloosa, Iowa. She continued to enjoy her hobbies such as photography, painting, and crocheting, until her eyesight began to decline around the age of 104. At the age of 75, she fractured a hip, but she didn’t move into a nursing home until she broke her knee at the age of 97.

A few days before her 109th birthday.
(Source: The Des Moines Register)

Druse passed away in Zearing, Iowa, USA, on 22 January 1978, at the age of 110 years, 185 days. The inscription on her gravestone reads, “The World’s Oldest Methodist” and “Iowa’s Oldest Resident.”

LongeviQuest congratulates Minnie Druse’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Druse’s Directory Profile here.