Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 19, 1990                   TAG: 9004200546
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MEMBERS OF 1900 CLUB CONTINUE TO ANSWER ROLL

When she discovered that her father, the Rev. O. L. Craft, was not listed among surviving members, Bryant called the newspaper because she was anxious for her father's many friends and parishioners to know he is still alive and active.

Her call came as a March 22 update was going to press. The editors decided to wait a couple of weeks before doing yet another follow-up on the story about a club of men who were born in 1900. The original story focused on the last president and treasurer. That story, based on their memory and newspaper clippings, said they were the only two known living members. Since then, Craft and five others have been found. Saunders Guerrant, the last president, thinks there may be others who haven't contacted him or the newspaper.

Craft, born Feb. 8, 1900, was a chaplain for the club. For many years he wore two hats in the Star City, selling insurance during the week for Northwest National Insurance Co., and serving as pastor of Edgewood Christian Church on weekends.

In 1961, he resigned from the pastorate of the Salem church. But he continued in the ministry, serving as interim at New Hope Christian Church, and later ministering to four small churches in Newport and Newbern.

Just last year, he finally gave up the last of the churches at Newport, although he still returns occasionally to preach. He also continues to sell insurance, and has published a volume of poetry titled "Four Score and Ten".

His wife, Essie Bolt Craft, died in 1986. They had six children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Janet Nelson also called the newspaper to report that her father, C.R. Fleishman, also was a member of the 1900 Club. He celebrated his 90th birthday March 10. Fleishman, who retired from American Viscose in 1957, remains active working in the yard and on his house. On the day of the telephone interview, he was mowing the lawn. His daughter reported that he continues to be active at Belmont United Methodist Church.

Fleishman's wife, Bessie Holland Fleishman, died two years ago. They had three daughters, three grandsons and one great-grandchild.

Raymond King noticed that his name was not mentioned in either of the two stories, but he "didn't want to make a fuss." A fellow church member at First Presbyterian Church, Al Minor, reported the omission, and King was located for an interview. King will be 90 years old April 28. He and his wife, Eralee Wilson King, have two sons and two granddaughters. Retired after 35 years at AT&T, King reports that "retirement is a pleasant thing."