Bio: Grap, Martha (99th - 1977)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Grap, Kalsow

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/15/1977

Grap, Martha (13 September 1977)

Tuesday, September 13, marked the happy birthday of a very special Town of Weston native, Mrs. Martha Grap, 99 years of age and still going strong. As it has been in past years, the day was the occasion for friends and neighbors to gather at her home on Rt. 3 Neillsville, to reminisce and offer congratulations.

The birthday celebration actually began Sunday with a family gathering. Judy Grap brought a special birthday cake, and Martha Grap’s five sons were on hand for the occasion. They are Walter and Paul of Milwaukee, Frederick, Sr. of Rt. 3 Neillsville, Carl of Milwaukee and Marvin of Rockford, Il. (A sixth son, Lewis, died in infancy). The immediate family also includes 11 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

The former Martha Kalsow was born September 13, 1878, just half a mile west of the Globe corner. She was married at the age of 21, in October of 1899, to Ferdinand Grap. The couple farmed in the Globe area for many years.

Nowadays, Mrs. Grap lives by herself in the log house which she and her husband made their home for about three years, following their marriage. It was built by Mr. Grap’s parents. The young couple constructed a new house for themselves but returned to the log home about 18 years ago. After Mr. Grap died on Mrch 6, 1963, his widow continued to live in the old house. The Fred Grap, Sr.’s, are living in the “new house.”

Martha Grap does much of her own housework and cooks all her own meals. Now that the busy 99 years are behind her, she can look forward to celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends in 1978.