Spahr, Fredrick G. 1844 - 1908

SPAHR, SCHORI, NEUENSWANDER, HANSON, KOHLER, HENDERSHOTT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/29/2013 at 15:35:07

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 23 January 1908.

In memoriam of Fred G. Spahr, who departed from life January 15, 1908, at the age of 63 years, 11 months and 15 days. He was born at Mett, Canton Berne, Switzerland, in February 1, 1844, and came to America in 1864, being at that time a young man of 20 years. He settled in Elgin and in 1868, four years later, he was married to Mary Schori. Four children, all-girls, were born to them and they all grew to womanhood. Anna, who was married to George Neuenswander, died over eight years ago. Tillie Hanson and Louise Kohler reside here and the younger daughter, Elizabeth Hendershott, lives at Farmersburg.

In the death of Mr. Spahr this community has lost a good citizen and a man who has done the pioneers share in building his home and in developing the affairs of the community. When he came here, during wartime, money was scarce and prospects disparaging, but by patient industry and frugality, he not only provided well for those dependent upon him, but also acquired a competency for the time when the feebleness of age should overtake him.

As we knew him in later life he was a man of strong individuality and did not bend to the environment; that which he willed he did and his strongest characteristic was his love for his wife and daughters which was almost his ruling passion.

To the bereaved wife and daughters naught that we can say can do more than show our sympathy in this, their sad bereavement. It is theirs to lean on the strong arm of Him "who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" and with the courage born of immortality bow their heads as did the Savior in the garden and say: "thy will, not mine, be done."

Funeral services were held from his late home Sunday afternoon, January 18, conducted by Rev. Draewel and internment was made in the Elgin Cemetery.

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Elgin Echo, Thursday, 16 January 1908.

Wednesday, shortly after the noon hour, our people were greatly grieved and excited when word was passed from one to another that our respected townsmen, F. G. Spahr, had taken his own life, using a revolver and sending a bullet crashing through his right temple. The particulars of this sad case, as near as we can learn them, are as follows.

Mr. Spahr was alone in his bedroom at the time the deed was committed. The room was a narrow one and a bureau stood near the bed. To swing himself from the bed and secure the revolver that was in the bureau drawer must have required considerable effort on his part, but this he did, and after he secured the weapon he must have placed the muzzle against his temple and held it with his left hand, as the fingers were powder-burned, and pulled the trigger with his right hand, thus sending the leaden messenger on its mission of death.

Mrs. F. G. Spahr and daughter, Mrs. Ed Hanson and her husband, were seated at the table eating dinner when they heard the shot. Immediately Mr. Hanson rushed to the bedroom of Mr. Spahr where he found him lying on the floor, still breathing but unconscious. The dying man was tenderly laid upon the bed and Dr. Fothergill summoned. Mr. Spahr lived for about an hour and a half after committing the deed but did not regain consciousness.

For some time Mr. Spahr had been a severe sufferer from cancer of the stomach, and during the past year the disease has been slowly but surely eating his life away. Not long since he went to Rochester, Minnesota, where he submitted to a surgical operation with the hope that he might eventually recover. This was only a temporary stay of the disease, and during the past couple of weeks he has been rapidly failing. Feeling that his time was short on this earth he completed all his business arrangements, and on Tuesday of this week transacted a large amount of important business, thus getting his affairs in readiness for the time when he should be called away.

Mr. Spahr leaves besides a wife, three daughters, Mrs. Fred Kohler, Mrs. Ed Hanson, both of this city, and Mrs. Irvine Hendershott, of Farmersburg, besides many relatives and friends to mourn their loss. Deceased was a prosperous farmer who has been identified with the interest of Elgin for many years and the whole community grieves with the family in this sad bereavement. An obituary will appear in these columns next week.

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NOTE: He is listed in WPA records as E. C. Spahr 1844 / 1-15-1908. The IGPP shows a photo of the gravestone of Fredrick G. Spahr 1844 / 1908, in Elgin cemetery.

Submitter is not related.

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