Spires, William T. Sr.

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889


WILLIAM T. SPIRES, SR., was born in Lincoln County, Ky., Dec. 26, 1822, and received his education in the common schools of the country. His father, John Spires, is a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1798. He came to Lincoln County, Ky., in an early day. Just after he became of age he married Susan Leach, whose people came from Virginia. The father and mother of William T. Spires trace their ancestry back to Ireland and Germany. In their family there were ten children, eight of whom are living, and whose records are herewith given: Phebe I. married Allen Connolly, and is deceased; they had two children, one of whom is also deceased. Sarah P. married Allen Connolly; they had five children - Sarah A., John A., Sylvester, George and Harvey. John R. married Sarah Weller, of Macoupin County, Ill.; they are farming in Sangamon County, Ill., and have three children - George, Mattie and Albert. Annie married Edward Seymour, a farmer of Morgan County; their children are: Sylvester, Sarah, Nettie, James and Oliver M. Harvey married Sarah A. Stice, and they reside on the John Squires homestead; they have four children - Lillie, Edward, Marion and Otto. Mary married William Olford, of Macoupin County, and they have three children - Lela, Charles, and an infant.

William T. Spires, of whom we write, married Margaret Reed, in 1844. Mrs. Spires' parents were pioneers, having emigrated to Morgan County in 1830. They have ten children, as follows: John M., William T., Sarah M., Martha H., Mary S., Margaret J., Julia C., Emma, Marinda and Matilda. John M. married Mary A. Niece, of Sangamon County, he is a locomotive engineer, living at Peoria, Ill. William T. married Maria Deere; they are farming in Morgan County, and are the parents of two children - Charles and Carrie. Sarah Ann married Abraham Seymour, a farmer of this county; they have one child, Lillie, who married Benjamin F. Morrow, of Greene County, Ill. Martha H. married James P. Storey, who is a farmer and school teacher of this county; they have three children - Hattie, Charles and Curtis. Mary S. married Isah Whitlock, who is also a farmer and teacher of Morgan County; they have five children - Lulu, Ewen, Bert, Bertha and Grover C. Margaret J. married Marion Cline, of Ohio, and they are living in Harper County, Kan., with their three children - Silvia, Zulu and Marvin. Julia C. married S. Douglas Whitlock, a farmer of this county. Emma married John C. Smith, a merchant of Springfield, Ill., and they have three children - Grace, Marvin and Roy D. Marinda married Z. D. Morrow, a jeweler of Springfield. Matilda married Charles Wood, a farmer of Greene County; they have two children, Forrest and Roy.

Like all pioneers of this county William T. Spires began the unequal battle of life without other resources than health and hope. By persistent and intelligent work he accomplished his desire, that of being an independent farmer. After his marriage he purchased the homestead upon which they now live, being then only partially improved, and containing 130 acres of land and a small house. Now he owns 200 acres of land that is in the best state of cultivation, and beside erecting splendid buildings he has assisted his children to start in life. He is now living retired, and is resting from the labors of a well-spent life, while his son manages the farm.

This family are consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Spires is a member of the I.O.O.F. Politically, he has been a sound Democrat since he arrived at the voting age, but has held no office, neither does he take any particular interest in politics, except what every good citizen should.


1889 Index
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