John Spader Obituary - 1906 - Rockingham Co., VA April 18, 1906 JOHN SPADER DEAD NEAR MT. CRAWFORD ----------------------------------- Native and Lifelong Resident of Rockingham County. ---------------------------------- MEMBER OF ASHBY'S BRIGADE ---------------------------------- Made a Gallant Record in Confederate Army - Son of Founder of Spader's Lutheran Church ---------------------------------- John Spader, a well known citizen of the Mt. Crawford neighborhood and a dashing Confederate soldier during the Civil War, died late Monday night from paralysis. He suffered the stroke then days ago and his death was not unexpected. The funeral will be held this morning form Spader's Lutheran church, of which his father was the founder. The funeral procession will leave the house at 9:30 o'clock. The Services will be conducted by Rev. J.W. Hausenfluck, pastor of the church. Interment will be in the family plot in the cemetery near the church. Mr. Spader had been in bad health for a year previous to his death. He began falling three or weeks ago. Paralysis, which affected his entire right side, ensued Saturday a week ago. He never rallied and on Wednesday last sank into a semi-comatose ___. He was unable to take any nourishment whatever and the end came at 10:15 Monday night. Mr. Spader was a native of the Mt. Crawford section and was a life long resident of Rockingham county. He was born on the old Spader home place in September, 1835, and was in his seventy-first year. He married Miss Sallie Pence, a daughter of the late John Pence. His father was the late Jacob Spader, one of the most prominent Lutherans of his community who gave the ground for the erection of the Lutheran church, about a mile and a half east of Pleasant Valley, which was named in his honor. The elder Spader also contributed largely to the funds for the erection of the house of worship. At the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Spader enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, which became a part of the original Ashby Brigade. The company first collected at Kite's barn, near Conrad's Store (now Elkton), under command of Capt. Emmanuel Sipe (afterwards lieutenant colonel of his regiment). Mr. Spader served through the Valley campaign in '62, was at Gettysburg, and in the battle of Spottsylvania court house was captured by the Federal soldiers. He was almost immediately paroled and a short time afterwards was exchanged. He rejoined his regiment, then attached to Gen. Jubal Early's command. In a skirmish with Sheridan's army in the early spring of 1864 at Burketown, Mr. Spader's horse was struck by a Federal bullet, and its rider was thrown forward to the ground. He was stunned and the Federal cavalry men picked him up for dead. They carried him into the home of the late Benjamin Switzer, a brother of Sheriff John A. Switzer. After the departure of the enemy Mr. Spader was revived and during the night he escaped and went to his home near Mt. Crawford. Before he was able to resume his place in the army Gen. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox. After the close of the War he engaged in farming near Mr. Crawford and has lived in that vicinity ever since. He was regarded as one of the most upright and valued men of his community and was a devout member of Spader's church. He was highly respected as esteemed in Southern Rockingham. Surviving him are his widow and five children. Messrs. Howard and Charles Spader, of Mt. Crawford; two daughters, who reside at home; and Mrs. Bertie Young, of Churchville, Augusta county. ------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material AND permission is obtained from the CONTRIBUTOR of the file. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.