Transcribed by Kristie Setser--Great Granddaughter The Commercial News -- Wednesday, July 24, 1968 By Mary Bromley C-N Georgetown Bureau

92-Year Old Man Never Looks Back, Counts Blessings Day by Day

INDIANOLA - “The Power of Positive Thinking” seems to be the perfect description of John Henry Setser’s pattern for living. He is 92, formerly of Indianola, and now a patient of the Vermilion County Nursing Home.

Not being born with a “silver spoon in his mouth,” he never looks back as if the world has mistreated him, only thankful and appreciative for all his blessings.

Setser was born in Clay County, Ky., July 3, 1876, son of Joshua and Rebecca Setser. He and his wife, the late Mary Jane Murray, had nine children: Mrs. Mattie Baird, Indianola; Mrs. Hazel Philpot and Joe, Cincinnati, Ohio; Lindsey, Sidell; Daniel and Robert, Danville. Three children are deceased. He has 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

“Hobbies,” Setser said with a quirk, “Who had hobbies in my day?” Isn’t a hobby spending time at something you enjoy? Then my hobby was working and raising my family.

“Occasional, when we caught up with the chores mother and I went fishing. I like to read and still enjoy reading my Bible. In my younger days, I picked the banjo for pleasure.”

“I’ve farmed all my life and did some railroading. I’m sure the love of nature kept me on the farm. Every man has a season that brings special joy to his heart, when the crops are ready for harvest in the fall is the beautiful time for me.”

“Maybe age - or contentment,” he said, “but I’ve never had the desire to take a plane ride. I may be wrong, which I have been many times, but I don’t believe the Lord will let us go as far as to land on the moon. Personally, the place for my feet is on the ground.”

“They always kidded me for walking instead of riding the plow, but I had walking plows for so long, when I finally got one to ride it made me dizzy, so I’d get off and walk.”

While interviewing Setser, many friends and visitors stop to chat with him. One woman made the remark, “I never come to see my husband that I don’t have a few words with this gentleman, because he gives me such a lift with his wonderful philosophy.”

His daughter, Mattie Baird, also present said, “Dad has earned his friends through his years of concern, sharing and helping others. He always told us kids it isn’t money neighbors need, it's sharing your strength in times of trouble and sorrow. A tramp passing through was never turned away from our door."

“Dad would never tell these things, not he worked endless hours raising a garden big enough to share with those less fortunate. Maybe we didn’t have expensive toys like children of today but I wouldn’t trade the evenings dad spent telling us stories for all the toys in the world.”

While enjoying our visit under the shade of a maple tree, a shower came up and forced us inside. There, Setser shared his many birthday cards and a pair of praying hands given to him by the Baptist Church of Danville which he called his proudest possessions.

Also had the privilege of meeting his friend Robert Doan stating he was his right hand man. You only had to be with these two gentlemen a few minutes to recognize the bond of friendship.

Great appreciation was expressed for Bernadette Johnson of Ridgefarm, a nurse, who helped care for him the past five years.

Not only real friends, but a mechanical Charlie McCarthy given to him by a grandson, sat at his bedside, all playing their part in adding joy to his life.

Smiling and with deep sincerity, he said, “Yes, I’m a lucky man, good family, many friends, good health until the later years when I’ve suffered several stokes. I didn’t eat or drink hard, just worked hard, I’m looking forward to another birthday cake."

“It’s a mighty good feeling to go to sleep with a clear conscience, but even better to wake in the morning and know the Lord has given you another day --then look around and count your blessings.”