James Daniel Wiser and Laura Ferrell Wiser on 70th
Wedding Anniversary Picture taken on July 1. 1960
J.D. Wiser and his beloved wife, Laura Ferrell Wise, launched their 71st year of happy
married life on July 1 at their home in Wartrace. It took place without ceremony, but the
couple thought over happy times of ther 87 years experience since both were born in Coffee
County during 1873.Today they have 101 descendants out of 103 born from this union--and
from those which have followed.Wiser milks two cows daily, tends to things on the farm,
and cooks and helps with household chores. His wife, has not been able to walk for 18
months, but give her husband moral support as they spend their time together on the
farm.They have lived most of the time in Bedford County but their first son, Earnest
Wiser, was born in Coffee County. He now lives in McKenney, Texas. The J.D. Wisers moved
to Texas from Coffee County but returned to Bedford County. Their second son, E. E. Wiser,
was born in Texas but now lives near his parents at Wartrace.The youngest of this union is
Winston Wiser of the Lewisburg Highway, noted trainer and rider of Tennessee Walking
Horses. The other five sons and daughters are Archie Wiser, Owen Wiser, Newman Wiser and
Mrs. Vester (Bertha ) Throneberry all of Wartrace and Mrs. Verna Rumble of Nashville.Other
descendants are 32 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren and one great-great
grandchild.They have owned and lived on their present farm the past 50 years. While they
live on the farm alone, their son, E. E. Wiser and family lives within 300 yards."We
have a signal at night that lets me know everything is OK," the son said, "My
father turns on the light which indicates they are all right." The light stays on
about 15 minutes. E. E. Wiser goes over to his parents house every morning to check on
things.E. E. Wiser does not remember when they lived in Texas but he has a stunted
forefinger on his right hand that reminds him that he was bitten by a rattlesnake."I
was nine months old, my brother Earnest was with me on a pallet while our parents were
picking cotton. I started crying and our parents came immediately to fint the rattler
nearby. Neither of the two boys were old enough to tell what happened," the son
said.And about Winston Wiser, the horwseman of the family. His brother, E. E. Wiser tells
how their father always kept a lot of horses on the farm and ever since Winston could
recognize a horse he has loved them."Father sold a walking horse to Tom Spires
(deceased) of Haly and the sale nearly broke Winston's heart. He was just a child and
'cried his eyes out' when the horse left the farm."--articles taken from the
Shelvyville Times-Gazette, Shelbyville, TennPage 3, Wednesday Afternoon, July 13, 1960 |
