The year is 1904: the first time the Olympics was held in the U.S., the year ice cream cones made their debut, the year when the first subway opened in New York City. Emma Louisa Brandt was born on September 14, 1904 at her family home in Bristol, Wisconsin; she was the second of six children.
That year saw Theodore Roosevelt win the presidency; work began on the Panama Canal; and less than a year earlier, the Wright Brothers flew the first plane at Kitty Hawk. At that time, the world had no television, no planes, popular transportation was still the horse and buggy, Oklahoma was not a state yet, lights were gas and electricity sparse. Also that year, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show went to England. “Peter Pan” premiered in London, and on December 31,1904 the first New Year’s Eve party was held in Times Square.
At age 18, Emma married Harold Frank Kirk; they were married for 62 years and had one daughter.
Emma has been a resident of Pearl River County for the last 7 years, where she lives with her grandchildren Don and Pat Chapman. Although she no longer has her husband and daughter, she is blessed with a large family which includes 2 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 15 great-great children, and 2 great-great-great children.
At the age of 103, Emma has had her share of health-related issues, but her spirits remain high and her personality unchanged. She still plays a mean game of Rummy whenever given the chance.