James Moran (supercentenarian)

James Moran (circa 1803-1914) was an Irish immigrant who came to Morris, Illinois to work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. At his death in 1914, Moran was 111 years old (the oldest living man in America at the timeFact|date=August 2008). Moran received the title "The King of the Waupecan" after winning a grain cradling contest at the age of 51.

He was given the name "The King of the Waupecan" after a widely publicized grain-cradling contest. Being a little man, fond of boasting, at the close of the competition, he stuck his fingers under his suspenders and claimed, "Now I'm the King of the Waupecan!"

James Moran spent most of his life on four acres, a life lease which was provided by his brother Michael. He built a cabin there and cultivated the land with a team of oxen. His daughter Ann kept house for him.

Sources

*Conner, Elizabeth. This is Grundy County. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1991
* [http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/grundy/obits/m/moran376nob.txt Grundy County IL Archives Obituaries]