Tonkovich,

The life expectancy in 1900 was 47 years. The reason it was so low was a very high infant mortality. A trip to my family's cemetery will show the high number of childred that died. Once people got past say 12 they tended to live a long time. Granted there were higher instances of death in industry and farming but from what I have read the general health was not that bad. Certainly the diet was healthier.

Most of the women on my mother's side lived well past 70 and a couple went over 100. Most were raised of ranches in S. Tx. where medical help was almost nonexistent. The variety of food was limit unless you wanted beef, but all these women grew up to be outstanding cooks.