The Life of a Country Doctor’s Son

1. The Life of a Country Doctor’s Son Sara Torbert Mrs. Hollers 9th Lit/Comp, 1st Period 7 April 2014 This picture represents my grandfather in a nutshell. He loved playing checkers with us, and he would always let my sister (pictured above) win.

2. Introduction to Mr. Elder • Phillip Mahlon Elder (named after his uncle from Sanford, Florida) • Age: 96 • Place of residence: Winder, Georgia • Great-grandfather of 6 great- grandchildren • Nicknames throughout life include: “Hoop,” “Philco,” “Phil,” “Mr. Elder,” and his favorite, “Granddaddy” This picture is from our first Easter living together with Granddaddy. He appears tall and sophisticated, and he looks much younger here than I remember.

3. Childhood – Interview • “The house [Phillip] was born in is still there in Jefferson across from the cemetery on Highway 129 going from Jefferson to Athens. There were no paved roads then” (Elder). • He remembers that there was a well at the back of the house that they used to draw water with a rope and bucket to carry to the house. He also remembers having “a chicken house and an outhouse with no indoor toilet.” • At school, Granddaddy’s teacher “saw that [he] was left-handed, and she tried to get [him] to write with [his] right hand.” He claims that it did not work; he still writes with his left hand. • Granddaddy grew up with five brothers, and although his daddy was a doctor, he wanted his sons to grow up as farmers. Granddaddy at his old home in Jefferson, Georgia. It was eventually torn down; this was his last picture with the home.

4. Jobs/Careers in Life - Interview • Phillip remembers, “The first money I ever made was picking cotton just out of town. I picked all one Saturday and was paid 25 cents. I lost it going home. I started early with financial troubles!” • Later, after his father’s death, Granddaddy learned how to farm from his Uncle Ira. He remembers having a cow, chickens, a hog, and a big garden. He states, “We made a living at home and did not have to buy much. I had to quit school to do all this.” • He started Elder’s Cleaners in 1957 with his brother, Paul. He declares, “Paul made more profit in the deal, and I did all the work” (Elder’s Cleaners is still in business in Winder, Georgia today; it holds its original name.) This image represents the first job Granddaddy had. He was proud of his hard work even though he lost the money he earned.

5. Marriage- Interview • Preacher John Wood married Granddaddy to Zelma in 1931. They moved into a two room apartment. • The couple had Frances, my grandmother, on April 2, 1935. • “We went on several bus tours. We went to New Orleans, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, The World’s Fair in Nashville, and the Loretta Lynn Ranch all before I got too old to travel.” I chose this photo of my family with Granddaddy in the house he built with Zelma because we would not exist without his marriage to Zelma!

6. Research Topic-Colon Cancer - Interview • In June of 1985, Phillip had a colostomy operation. • “I didn’t know what they were talking about” when the surgery was mentioned, “but I wish they would’ve told me that they were going to rearrange my stomach and intestines.” • While in the hospital, a doctor commented on the amount of cards Granddaddy had in his room, and he responded with “Yes, sir, I have lots of friends, and I have outlived all my enemies.” I chose this photo because Granddaddy loved to receive letters in the mail, and he discussed this fact when he mentioned his time in the hospital.

7. Life Lessons - Interview • “I am bald and gray. I got store bought eyes, store bought teeth, and don’t dance like I used to. And I have some advice for the younger generation: Eat right. Drink right. Think right. Live right.” • “Never hurry and never worry, and you will live to a ripe old age.” • “Also, keep your house locked. It won’t keep out thieves, but it will keep from making thieves out of honest people.” I chose this picture because Granddaddy mentioned his appearance and life as an aging man (check out the walker), but he still tries to stay to stay young.

8. Conclusion/Reflection • Review the issues you researched and discussed. • What have you learned from this unit? • What is the significance or importance of researching and interviewing a senior citizen? • Justification for photo

9. Work Cited Elder, Phillip. Personal Interview. 7 Apr. 2014.