CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — This weekend, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) stopped in Clarksburg to recognize the life of Francis Dalton, also known as the oldest known miner in America.

Dalton, who turned 104 on Sunday, started working in the coal mines with his father at eight years old, and spent the rest of his life there, aside from the years he spent serving his country during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

Dalton has spent more than four decades underground in Monongalia County and is an 84-year member of the UMWA.

12 News had the opportunity to sit down with Dalton, who shared about his decades of mining.

“I liked the mines. And I’m glad they're starting back up for the younger boys, they’ll have a lot of fun in there, learn

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