N. W. Spears (b. 1806)

SPEARS, TAINTOR, TOOGOOD

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse
Date: 8/17/2005 at 23:03:34

Spears, N. W., retired farmer, Section 21 (Fremont township); P. O. Mill; born in Penfield, what was Ontario, now Monroe County, October 29, 1806; moved with his parents, William and Love, to the Western Reserve, Ohio , in 1817. Married Eliza Taintor April 9, 1828; she was born in Brighton, New York, March 15, 1808 and died in December 1836. William, Jane, James V. and Jessie were children of his first wife, and of whom the last named only survives. Married Susan M. Toogood February 1, 1838; she was born in Vienna, Madison County, New York, September 29, 1812 and died in this county, August 5, 1874. During his residence in Ohio, in 1839, was appointed one of the County Commissioners; while performing the duties of the office, his attention was called to the remarkable depreciation of county warrants; through his exertions, a committee was appointed to investigate the cause; they soon discovered that there had been a systematic process of swindling on the part of some of their colleagues, which on being suppressed, effected a savings of over $38,000 to the county; the following year, he was elected by a large majority, thus proving that his efforts to economize were approved by his constituents; in 1849, he determined to leave Ohio; traveling the greater portion of the year, he finally located in Tecumseh, Michigan, where, erecting a new building, started a woolen factory; he continued in business for six years, when one morning, he awoke to find that a freshet, during the night, had totally destroyed all his property: two alternatives presented themselves --- either to rebuild or migrate westward; adopting the latter course, he started by rail for Chicago and from there by wagon, for this county; arriving in 1855; by combination of unfortunate circumstances, his capital had been reduced to $4.25 ; possessed of energy, he at once commenced the erection of a log house of the usual pattern , utilizing carpet brought from the East as covering for the roof and sides; since then, however, he has greatly improved the place on which he originally located. To Mr. S. belongs the credit of having suggested the name "Fremont" for this township; he taught the first school in this town, and organized the first Sunday School; elected Supervisor the third year after organization of the township; he was President of that Board several years; at the beginning of the war, he was authorized by the Governor to enroll all men capable of service in this and several other townships; received his appointment of Postmaster in 1862; at present J. P., he has held the office for a number of years. Mr. S is proprietor of a store where general line of merchandise is kept.

Page 747

1878 Fayette County History