So true. My aunt (born 1916) used to sit on her grandfather's lap. He lost his hearing while firing cannons during the Civil War. My Father's step Father was born in 1852 and built a lumber mill in Denver, CO in the 1870s.
My Father sat in my great Uncle's lap as a child. My great uncle knew his grandfather well who was born in 1790 and fought in the War of 1812.
I envy hearing the stories you were told.