Reflecting on a centennial birthday – Hans Heuser has 100 years of memories
And one hundred years ago on June 20, 1911, Hans Heuser was born.
Recently, Heuser, who immigrated to the United States from Erfurt, Germany, gathered with family and friends to celebrate his centennial birthday and talk about what he has seen in his lifetime.
"I was 19, I think it was, when I came to the United States," he said, as he sat on the deck of his daughter, Donna Allison's, New Philadelphia area home.
"I think it was actually when you were 16, Dad," gently corrected Allison.
"Oh yes, 16. Could be 16. Yah, it was 16. She is right," Heuser agreed.
Regardless, the young man arrived just as the Great Depression hit, and admitted that it was difficult to get a job in those days.
"When I came, I worked in a restaurant. I worked my way up from a bus boy to a manager," explained Heuser, the thick accent of his homeland still very evident. "I worked there thirty something years."
"It was Clarks' Restaurant in Cleveland," added Allison. "They were a competitor of Stauffer's."
While working at Clark's, Heuser met his future wife, Ruby.
"I met her through some friends," he explained. "We had one daughter, and she is a good one, at that."
Heuser was asked about the biggest change he has experienced in his lifetime.
"Just to come from Germany to here, that was big," he answered, emphasizing how startled he was at all the experiences awaiting him in his new home, to which he immigrated through the port in Hoboken, N.J. He noted several other things that had significantly impacted his life.
"Television is one thing. I never dreamed of such a thing. Never gave it a thought, even. Television is a good thing. Today, it's the best," he stated emphatically. "I don't have a favorite TV show, but I like to watch the news."
"Dad has his own computer," noted Allison.
Her father laughed when asked if he did a lot of online shopping, shaking his head in the negative.
"He plays solitaire, that's the only thing he does on there, but he really loves solitaire," Allison noted.
Heuser has lived through several war times during his lifetime.
"I couldn't get in (the military) to the war on account of my eyes. I couldn't see according to their specifications," he said, pointing to his eyeglasses.
Behind those glasses, Heuser's eyes grew bright when he was asked if he remembered his very first car.
"My first car was a Ford, a 1929, I think. It was black, and red. It had red stripes all the way around, about two inches thick," he said, mimicking the width with his fingers. "I don't remember the model." Ford sedans that year sold for a base price of $525.
A granddaughter mentioned a green Hudson he had told her of owning.
"Yah, Hudson and the Terraplane, they both go together. One was big, one was small. They merged," he commented on the 1920s and early 30s Essex-Terraplane cars produced by Hudson.
Heuser did not hesitate for one moment when asked what it takes for one to live for 100 years.
"To be honest," he replied. "To always tell the truth. I don't need to lie to nobody. I have no reason to lie."
"Ask him what he needs," urged his daughter.
And so Heuser was asked, "Do you need anything?"
He grinned and quickly exclaimed, "A bundle of fifties!"