Biography of Elton Spears, Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ SPEARS FAMILY EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN PAST AND PRESENT OF EATON COUNTY Page 574 ELTON B. SPEARS Elton B. Spears, who is engaged in the hardware business in the city of Eaton Rapids, is a native of Eaton County, within whose limits his parents took up their abode fully sixty-five years ago. He was born on the homestead farm, in Eaton Rapids township, March 13, 1855, and is a son of Franklin and Matilda (Freeman) Spears, the former of whom was born in Vermont August 31, 1814, while the latter was born July 13, 1818. The father died March 12, 1873, and his widow survives him by nearly a score of years, her death occurring in December 1892. Their marriage was solemnized July 4, 1839, and a brief record concerning their children is as follows: Perry, born May 1, 1840, now owns and operates one half of the old homestead farm, in Eaton Rapids township; Wealthy, born May 10, 1842, died in 1853; Austin, born November 4, 1851, died on the 25th of the following February. Angeline, born February 1, 1853, died October 6, 1861; Elton B. is the immediate subject of this sketch; the sixth child, a son, born May 17, 1857, died shortly afterward; and Uretta, born July 28, 1859, died October 7, 1861. Franklin Spears and wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics he was originally an old-line Whig, giving his support to the Republican party from the time of its organization until the time of his death. He came with his family from Washtenaw County to Eaton County in 1840, securing one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Eaton Rapids Township, and reclaiming the same to cultivation. This old homestead is now owned by the two living children. Franklin Spears endured to the full the tension of pioneer life and he attained success through arduous and persistent effort. He assisted in constructing the race for original waterpower in Eaton Rapids, walking, barefooted from his home, four miles distant and working for fifty cents a day. He and his wife were numbered among the sterling pioneers of the county and he was a man of strong individuality, taking a lively interest in all that concerned the welfare of the community. Elton b. Spears passed his youthful days on the home farm, aiding in its work, and in the meanwhile availing himself of the advantages of the public schools. He continued to be actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1897, when he left the farm and took up his residence in Eaton Rapids. He still owns one-half of the old homestead, as has already been intimated in this article. He was appointed deputy sheriff at the time of the incumbency of Frederick Sheherd as sheriff, and he has since continued to serve in this capacity. In 1903 he became associated with George Scofield, under the firm name of Spears & Scofield, and established the hardware business, which has since been conducted under that title. The firm has a well-equipped store, handling heavy and shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, etc., making a specialty of plumbing, pipe fitting, tin and sheet-iron roofing and other architectural and general job work in their line. Mr. Spears is found arrayed as a loyal and zealous worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in addition to having been incumbent of the office of deputy sheriff since 1898, he served four terms as treasurer of Eaton Rapids township, being held in high esteem in the community which has represented his home from the time of his birth to the present. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Dramatic Order of the Knights Korhassan, April 5, 1882, Mr. Spears was united in marriage to Miss Ovie A. Mix, daughter of Samuel C. and Sarah E. Mix, the former whom was born in Broadalbin, Fulton County, New York, March 9, 1832, a son of Aaron and Betsy Mix. In March 1867, Mr. Mix came with his family to Michigan and settled in Eaton Rapids township, Eaton County, continuing to reside on his farm until about one year before his death and passing the closing days of his life in the home of his daughter, Mrs Spears. He became a member of the Baptist church when nineteen years of age and was a zealous and active member of the church in Eaton Rapids, having served for a decade or more as chorister of the Sunday school and five years as superintendent of the school, while from 1883 until his death, with an interim of but one year, he was a member of the board of trustees of the school. He was a man of much public spirit, was a stanch supporter of the Republican Party and served as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board of his district. He died January 11, 1899, esteemed by all who knew him. April 27, 1858, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Sarah Ellen Phillips, who was born in Wilson, Niagara County, New York, January 5, 1837. She now makes her home with our subject. Mrs. Mix was likewise a devoted member of the Baptist Church, as is also her daughter, Mrs Spears. Mr. and Mrs Mix became the parents of three children, of whom the eldest, Florence, is deceased. Mrs. Spears was the next in order of birth, having been born in Wilson, New York, in 1861, and her brother, Elbert F., is a resident of Eaton Rapids. Of the two children of Mr. and Mrs Spears, Elbert E., born April 3, 1890, died in infancy, and Harold M., who was born May 29, 1893, is now attending the public schools of Eaton Rapids. dz