UNION TWP. -- The same year Adele Dunlap was born, Teddy Roosevelt became the first president to ride in an automobile, Texaco oil company was founded and the first movie theater opened.

Dunlap, who became the oldest American in July, turned 114 on Monday.

Dunlap received balloons and fellow residents at the Country Arch Care Center sang "Happy Birthday" to her. But The Record reports Dunlap didn't appreciate the fuss.

Asked what she was thankful for, Dunlap said, "Gee, how should I know?" As for a birthday wish, she responded, "I've never thought of such a thing. I don't wish for anything."

She assumed the title of oldest American when Goldie Michelson of Massachusetts died on July 8. Dunlap said earlier this year she stopped counting her age when she turned 104.

Dunlap, who has lived at Country Arch Care Center since she was 99, is also among the top 10 oldest people in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which validates living supercentenarians, or people older than 110. She is among seven centenarians living at Country Arch.

In August, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance and state Assemblyman Erik Peterson visited her at the center.

"My own father lived to just short of 99, and he was a mere youth compared to Adele Dunlap," he said at the time. He had ordered a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Dunlap's honor, and presented it to her.

Dunlap is among seven centenarians living at Country Arch, according to the staff.

Born in the Clinton Hill section of Newark on Dec. 12, 1902, she was the youngest of four children, with three older brothers. After graduating from Southside High School in Newark, she entered Newark State Normal School to prepare for a teaching career.

She taught third grade for five years, during which time she met her husband, Earl "Lynn" Dunlap, with whom she had three children, two boys and a girl.

After her marriage she became a housewife, raising her family and tending to her home. "My mother didn't believe in marriage for teachers," she told NJ Advance Media during an interview when she turned 112.

Dunlap lived in Clinton with her son and his wife, Earl and Barbara Dunlap, for 12 years before moving to Country Arch Care Center.

Two years ago she had no explanation for her longevity, and at the time her son Earl urged her, "Just keep going for the record."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.