Spencer S. Ainsworth, 1816-1899

AINSWORTH, STOWELL, DOUGLASS, HAWKINS, JONES

Posted By: Constance Diamond (email)
Date: 7/9/2017 at 09:30:28

THE WEST UNION ARGO
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Wednesday, 03 May 1899
Page 4 column 3

DEATH OF SPENCER S. AINSWORTH.

Spencer S. Ainsworth died of pneumonia at his home in this city on Friday, April 28, 1899, at 2:30 P. M., after being confined to his bed only one day, aged 82 years, 8 months and 10 days.

Prof. Ainsworth was born at New Woodstock, Madison Co., New York, Oct. 18, 1816. His parents, Deacon Abial and Artemesia Stowell Ainsworth, were natives of Connecticut and emigrated to Madison county, New York, 1805, where they engaged in farming, The deceased was educated in the public schools and became a teacher when about 17 years of age. Subsequently he became a member of the Baptist church and decided to educate himself for a clergyman of that denomination. He was eight years a student Madison University at Hamilton, New York. He spent two years in the preparatory department, four years in the collegiate and two years in the theological. He was very successful in his ministry, but in 1856 he abandoned the same and removed to West Union, Iowa, of which city he was a resident until his death.

He devoted most of his time to teaching, in which he was eminently successful. There were few who had the ability to impart information equal to that which Mr. Ainsworth possessed. He also acquired the respect, esteem and confidence of his scholars, a great number of whom are still living in Fayette or adjoining counties, many of them attending his funeral. He always took a great interest in scientific questions, as well as in public questions of the day, and was exceptionally well informed on all of them.

He was married in 1845 to Miss Frances Douglass, of Sangersfield,'N. Y., who died in 1853 at Penfield, N. Y., leaving two children, James D. Ainsworth, who is now engaged in newspaper work in Denver,|Colo., and a daughter, Frances, who died when about six years old. He was again married in 1860 to Miss Mary A. Hawkins, who survives him. Three children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy, and Maude, wife of O. J. Jones, of Belleville, N. J. Both his children were present at the funeral, which was held at the M. E. church in this city on Monday, May 1. at 2 p. M.

The funeral was conducted by the Masonic fraternity, of which he became a member about fifty years ago, being a member of Penfield Lodge, No. 154 A . F. & A . M., of New York., at the time of his death. The religious services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Davis.