Emma Laurane (Skinner) Spencer (1841 - 1912)

Born 2 Jul 1841 in Hardwick Twp, Caledonia Co., Vermont

Ancestors

Wife of James S Spencer — married 25 Dec 1860 in Valparaiso, Porter Co., Indiana

Descendants

Died 22 Mar 1912 at age 70 in Monticello, White Co., Indiana

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Biography

This profile is part of the Skinner Name Study.

At the age of five, Emma came with her parents to Valparaiso, Indiana, where she resided until young womanhood, graduating from college there and afterward attending Oxford University. On December 25, 1860, she married James Spencer, who with his family had come to Monticello in 1848.^[1]

Their married life was spent mostly at Remington and Monticello. Three of their children, Kizzie, Pearl, and Emily, died in infancy. Their son, DeFoe, died at the age of 28 years, leaving a wife and one son.

In the early part of his life, James was engaged in the printing business, starting the Spectator in Monticello in 1859 (later the Harold), and for three years prior to the Civil War published the Renesselaer Gazette. He was a Civil War veteran and served as hospital steward of the 73rd Indiana Regiment, and for eight years was engaged in the drug business at Remington. In his later years, he also served as a Justice of the Peace.

The eldest son, Schuyler, was the head of his profession as an attorney at Portland, Oregon; the other son, James H., was a carpenter and builder at Los Angeles, California. The daughter, Bessie, was the wife of Irving William MacOwan, a former White County school teacher and later stockholder of the Joliet, Ill., Daily News and a proprietor of a book and news store at Joliet.

About five years before her death, Emma suffered a stroke which left her paralyzed. She also struggled with bronchitis. According to her obituary: " Always patient, loving and cheerful through all her affliction, her life was one of the sweetest examples of Christian character. She was a lifelong church worker, one of those of whom it can be truly said, 'They are the salt of the earth.'"^[2][3]

Death of Mrs. James Spencer Was a Patient Sufferer for Five Years

Mrs. Emma L. Spencer, wife of James Spencer, died Friday the 22nd, at the home of her daughter Mrs. Irving McOwan, in this city, aged 70 years, 8 months and 20 days.

Her maiden name was Emma L. Skinner, and she was born July 2, 1841, in Hardwick, Vermont. At the age of five she came with her parents to Valparaiso, Indiana, where she resided till young womanhood, graduating from college there and afterward attending Oxford University.

On December 25th, 1860 Miss Skinner was married to James Spencer of Monticello, Ind. Her married life was spent mostly at Remington and Monticello, Ind. There was a large family of children, only four of whom reached years of maturity however. The husband, two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren survive -- the sons, Schuyler now of Portland, Oregon, and James of Los Angeles California, Bessie McOwan of Joliet, Ill. Another son (Defoe) died eighteen years ago at the old home in the country north of Monticello, where his widow and son still reside with the bereaved husband, James Spencer. Two aged sisters also still survive, the oldest being Mrs. Marietta Peirce of Berkeley, California and Mrs. Celestia Dell of Bozeman, Montana.

About five years ago Mrs. Spencer was stricken with paralysis and being a sufferer from bronchitis has continued in a weakened state. Always patient, loving and cheerful through all her affliction, her life was one of the sweetest of Christian character. She was a life long church worker, one of those of whom it can truly be said, they are the sale of the earth.

Her funeral took place from the Presbyterian church Sunday at 2 p.m., her pastor, Rev. C.J. Almentrout, conducting the service. Interment was made in the Monticello cemetery.

Friends and relatives present from a distance were Mr. Leslie Skinner and his sister Mrs. Maude Evans, wife of Dr. Evans, of Valparaiso. Mr. Irving McCowan and his father Wm. McOwan of Joliet, Ill., Mrs. Lilly Renfrew and son Ralph of Wolcott, and Mr. Keith Spencer of Remington, grandson of Benjamin Spencer, deceased.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage: 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Liberty Twp, White Co., Indiana.
2. ↑ Death: Indiana Deaths, 1882 - 1920.
3. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial for Emma Skinner Spencer.
4. ↑ Emma L. Spencer, obituary, Monticello, White Co., Indiana, USA.