from left, seated, William; and standing, Danny, Patricia and Lonnie.
Sponaugle Shares Her Life Span of 100 Years
Penned by niece Frances (Warner) Morgan
Has anyone ever wondered what life was like living 100 years ago? Yes, we have read history books, and heard stories passed down to us what life was like in the olden days by our ancestors, but few of us can boast of reaching the age of 100. This story is about my aunt, Jessie Elizabeth (Warner) Sponaugle, who was actually born one century ago on Dec. 2, 1924, and has lived to tell about it.
Jessie was born in a log house on the Hunting Ground to parents Amby and Surrilda (Waybright) Warner. She was the sixth child, but shortly after, there was a big surprise awaiting when her twin sister, Bessie, also made an appearance, and brought the number up to seven. Most babies at that time were home-births, as was Jessie, and the birthing mother was attended by mid-wives.
On the Hunting Ground, which is situated in the shadows of Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, winters were very cruel. Due to the cold temperatures and high elevation, several feet of snow usually remained on the ground most of the winter. With excruciating frigid temperatures and forceful winds, snow drifts usually could be seen in places as late as June. Sheep sometimes had to be dug out of the snow.
The log house where Jessie spent her early years, was no mansion. Snow blew inside between the cracks of the logs and laid on the floor. There was no running water, no electricity or telephone, and no indoor plumbing, but there was an unheated “outhouse.”
In today’s world, not much remains the same as 100 years ago. If our ancestors were to come back, they would not recognize the advancements of the new age. High technology has profoundly changed the way we live. If someone would have told them someday man would be taken by a spaceship to outer space and land on the moon, they would have taken this as a big ridiculous fairy tale.
Jessie’s birth and youth was during very hard times. She was born prior to the Great Depression. Her father had worked in the lumber woods for $0.50 a day. He eventually acquired several tracts of land and farmed. Her father owned four work horses and two riding mares. Most all the food was homegrown and preserved, and a hog was butchered. The sugar maple trees were tapped and the sap was used for making maple syrup and maple sugar. Nothing was wasted. After the breakout of World War II, sugar was rationed due to a supply shortage and required food stamps for purchase. One stamp could purchase one pound of sugar.
Transportation was by horse and wagon, or horse and sled during winter months, or on foot. Since it was a family of nine, they milked seven cows. Jessie was allowed one pair of shoes per year, meaning she went barefoot most of the year to preserve her shoes, including during frost on the ground. When she would go back of the hill on the property to bring the cows in to be milked, due to the frost and she without shoes, she climbed on a cow’s back and rode it to the barn. The cow knew where to go, and the others followed. Her mother sewed her clothing. Many times, decorative feed sacks were used to make clothing.
One hundred years ago, the cost of living was significantly lower than it is today. A new house was $5,800.00; new car $265.00; gallon of gas $0.21; loaf of bread $0.10; Milk, one-half gallon, $0.29; butter $0.58/pound; bacon $0.48/pound; a dozen of eggs $0.58; and postage stamp $0.02. The average income was $3,481.00 per year. I dare say her family’s income was probably well below the average.
Calvin Coolidge was president when Jessie was born. In her lifetime she has seen 17 different presidents hold office. Probably one of the most significant accomplishments during her time was July 21, 1969, when an astonishing feat was successfully accomplished when astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first to step foot on the moon.
In 1946, Jessie married her high school sweetheart, Cranston Sponaugle, and they had 73 years together when he passed in 2019 at the age of 94. They were blessed with four children, Danny, William, Lonnie, and Patricia. Their family also includes eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.
Jessie’s 100th birthday was celebrated Nov. 30, 2024, with her family and a host of other relatives and friends at the beautifully decorated Tygart Valley Baptist Church reception room in Beverly.