Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Spurr, Don A 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 14, 2008, 3:03 am

Author: Past & Present Will County IL 1907

Don A. Spurr, editor and manager of the Wilmington Advocate, was born in the 
town of Wilmington, Will county, Illinois, September 10, 1865. His father, 
Alonzo Rufus Spurr, was born in Conneaut, Ashtabula county, Ohio, October 8, 
1837, and was a shoemaker by trade. He was later employed as baggage master on 
the Chicago and Dwight accommodation on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, thus 
serving from 1862 until 1870. His wife, Mrs. Margaret M. Spurr, was born in 
the highlands of Scotland, August 27, 1845, and, coming to America with her 
mother when but three years of age was reared in Wilmington. The son, Don A. 
Spurr, was a student in the public schools of Wilmington until it became 
necessary for him to put aside his text-books in order to aid in the support 
of the family. For nearly a year thereafter he was employed in the printing 
office and confectionery store owned by A. M. Stephenson. Wishing to learn the 
printing business he resigned his position on the 1st of June, 1882, and at 
once entered the employ of Daniel Quinn, foreman of the Wilmington Advocate, a 
paper published and edited by the late E. D. Conley. Work becoming slack in 
the Advocate office he left that paper on the 18th of June, 1885, and the next 
day became porter at the Stewart House, of which James Cook was proprietor, 
serving in that capacity until December 31, 1887. On the 2d of January, 1888, 
he entered the employ of Quinn & Conley, publishers of the Wilmington 
Advocate, with whom he continued until the retirement of Mr. Conley on the 1st 
of May, 1895. Ex-Senator William M. Odell purchased Mr. Conley's interest and 
Mr. Spurr continued to work for the new firm of Odell & Quinn. By reason of 
the death of Mr. Quinn on the 19th of May, 1904, and the fact of Mr. Odell's 
residence in Pocatello, Idaho, Mr. Spurr has since acted as editor and manager 
of the Advocate, having full charge of the paper. In his political views he is 
a stalwart republican and has held some local offices. On the 6th of April, 
1889, he was elected constable and served for three years, when he resigned. 
In 1893 he was elected town clerk, filled the position for three consecutive 
years, and again in 1897 and in 1899 was elected. He is a member of Talmud 
lodge, No. 24, K. P., at Braidwood, Illinois, which he joined in November, 
1896. He is also a member of America Hose Company, No. 1, of the Wilmington 
fire department, and is its secretary, in which capacity he has served for 
several years. He joined the department in 1888 and in this manner and in many 
other ways he has manifested his interest in the general welfare and in the 
promotion of public progress. He is likewise a member of the Will County 
Publishers' Association and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. Mr. Spurr 
was married in Braidwood, Illinois, March 25, 1891, to Miss Harriet English, 
the second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John English, Sr., pioneer 
residents of Braidwood. They have two living daughters, Mary Lela and Margaret 
Harriet Spurr. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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