Bio: Neff, Elba (95th Birthday – 1965)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Neff, Walcott, Mattson, Ciszewski, Neville, Pack, Lockbaum, Wnukowski, Adams, McNitts, Harms, Scherf, Lobacz, Kopacz

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 04 Nov 1965

Mrs. Elba Neff and her son Chester are about the oldest pioneer settlers in the Town of Longwood (Clark Co., Wis.), having settled here some 55 years ago. During this long tenure they’ve made a host of friends, many of whom called at their rural home on Thursday of last week to pay their respects to Mrs. Neff on the observance of her 95th birthday anniversary.

And, at this enviable age she is still healthy, active and a participant in the routine activities of a common day. She amazed and delighted the friends that called on her in the afternoon and again that evening, by sitting down at the piano and accompanying Chester as he played the violin.

Born Oct. 28, 1870 near Appleton, Wis., she received her education and later taught school. In 1893, while still living at Appleton, she and the late Alfred Neff, were married and soon thereafter moved to their present home in the town of Longwood, as he was engaged in the lumbering industry.

As she contributed to the delightfulness of the evening with her piano playing and sharp recollections of the past, she, too, always contributed to the welfare of her surroundings and community during her many memorable years of full living. For 38 years she served as a Sunday school teacher in her Longwood parish, and several years ago was made an “honorary” member of the First Congregational Church in Owen.

Beginning in 1914 she served faithfully as a correspondent of the Owen Enterprise, up until three years ago when she gave up the hobby she had enjoyed so much, because of tiring her eyes.

During the editor’s visit, Chester and Mrs. Neff proudly displayed a piece of furniture they value. It is the table used daily in their kitchen which is unique in that it can be made into a chair and is put together with pegs instead of nails. It is a heirloom handed down from Chester’s great-grandfather, and they proudly boast the fact that Oliver Walcott, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, once sat and ate at this table when used in the state of New York.

In addition to two sons, Alfred and Chester, who were with her on this joyous occasion, she has a daughter, Hazel Neff, who teaches school in Milwaukee and was unable to be here last Thursday. One other daughter, Mrs. Chris Mattson, passed away in 1928.

Afternoon guests included Tony, Lottie and Robert Ciszewski, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Neville and John and Elsie Pack of Brantwood; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Neff of Eagle River, Mr. and Mrs. Turenne Lockbaum and family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wnukowski, Mrs. Adams and son Joe, Mrs. Marge McNitts, Mrs. Fern Harms, Mr. and Mrs. Sabin Scherf, Mrs. John Lobacz and Mrs. Matt Kopacz and daughter Theresa.