DEATH OF JUDGE SPENCER. Hon. John W. Spencer died at his residence in this city, last evening, at 5 o'clock P. M. For some time past, the rapidly declining health of the deceased has rendered it apparent his life was drawing to a close. He had long been afflicted with renal complaint which for months past assumed an aggravated form of renal colic, and was attended with intense and prolonged bodily suffering. The deceased was born in the State of Vermont, July 26 1801. He removed from Vermont to Illinois in 1820, and came to this county in the fall of 1828. He was twice married, first to Miss Louisa, daughter of Mr. Loudon Case, by whom he had one child who died in 1871; his second marriage was to Miss Eliza Wilson, who survives him. By his second marriage he has had five children, Edward W., Charles, Julia, William A., and Roswell, all of whom except Charles are still living. In public life, Judge Spencer has occupied a prominent and honorable position, and enjoyed a deservedly high reputation. He was the first County Commissioner of this County, the first County Judge, performed the first marriage ceremony in the County, and was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1847. He was also an Officer in the Black Hawk war, and was well acquainted with the noted Indian Chiefs of this section of country at that memorable time. In matters of public interest, and in the conduct of public affairs of this City and County, Judge Spencer was alway distinguished for his liberality of sentiment, good judgment, and a faithful discharge of the duties which he was called to perform. In private life, the virtues and kindly benevolent disposition of the deceased were as conspicuous as they were unobtrusive and manly. Pre-eminent among his personal qualities was his strict integrity, irreproachable morals, and his large-hearted Charity. In short, he was a genuine Christian Gentleman. His funeral will take place, on Saturday morning at the 5th Av. M. E. Church. Source: The Daily Argus Rock Island, Illinois Thursday, February 21, 1878 Submitted by: Patricia A. Essary E-mail: paessary@uti.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Patricia A. Essary (© 1997 Patricia A. Essary)