Spohr - David
Source: H. W. Beckwith
(Chicago: HH Hill) History of Montgomery County, 1881 p 366
David SPOHR, and wife, Selena
(FOSTER) made their advent (Walnut Twp) in 1832, bringing two children, Nancy
Jane and John. He entered the E 1/2 of SE 1/4 Sec. 10, the patent being signed
by Andrew Jackson. They came in a four-horse Va. scoop-bed wagon; another
family, William and Mary FOSTER with 3 boys, accompanying them in the one vehicle.
Mrs. Spohr rode, for hours together, on the off horse, carrying her baby, John.
A trip of 700 mi. landed them at Joseph SPOHR's, who had preceded them two
years. They then sold their wagon and all their horses but one, in order to pay
for some land. For many years they worked with one horse and without a wagon.
Mrs. Spohr wove and spun to pay for a heifer calf. The calf became a cow and
gave birth to a calf; this grew to cowhood and Mrs. Spohr traded the one for
the woodwork of a wagon and the other for ironing the "old time
buggy." This wagon stands in the barn a relic of hard work, poverty,
durability and frontier life generally.
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Source: H. W. Beckwith
History (Chicago: HH Hill), 1881 p. 383 (under Walnut Twp. section)
David SPOHR, deceased, was born in
Augusta Co, Va. Feb 7, 1802. His parents were Pennsylvanians. Mr. Spohr was
married to Selena J. FOSTER, daughter of Wm. and Mary A. Foster, the former a
native of Va, and the latter of Md, and their fathers came from Ireland. In
1832, Mr. & Mrs. Spohr came to Montgomery Co, In. bringing their two
children, Nancy J. and John. Here they entered the E. 1/2 of the SE 1/4 Sec 10,
Twp 18, Rg 3 W, patent signed by Andrew Jackson. They soon built a fashionable
cabin, and settled amid all the privations and hardship, beginning with but
$80. Mr. Spohr died July 1, 1878. He and his wife were Presbyterians. In the
early Jackson days he was a Democrat, but when Jackson vetoed the bank bill Mr.
Spohr became a bitter whig and later a more bitter republican. Mrs. Spohr still
lives on the place at an advanced age. John Spohr, second child of the above,
was born in Rockbridge Co, Va. Dec 4, 1831 and was 8 months old when his
parents brought him to the wilds of Montgomery County. In his boyhood the axe,
maul, wedge and hoe were his daily companions. Three months in a year were
supposed to be set apart for his education, but were a load of wood wanted, or
milling to be done, it was "John, I suppose you better stay out of school
today." When 18 he was allowed to begin for himself. He first worked for
Jonathan MARTIN at $9 per month. With his little earnings he was enabled to
attend school at the Quaker institution in Darlington, through the Spring,
Summer and Fall. He then taught 3 months in the Detrick log schoolhouse in
Franklin Twp for which he received $50. In the winter of 52-3 he taught 3
months for $60, in the schoolhouse SE corner of Sec 14, Walnut Twp, then went
again to the Quaker school. He was prevented from farther teaching by ill
health and his eyes would not allow him to study. Mr. Spohr made a trip West
and invested his earnings in lands till he owned 480 acres. In 1871 he bought
his present home farm of 100 acres for $5,000. He paid $2,000 down and good
crops and fortunate sales of Western lands paid the other $3,000 so that now he
has a good farm, also a pleasant $800 house clear from all encumbrances. His
farm comprises the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 Sec 11 and S 1/2 of SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 Sec 11.
He also owns 160 acres in Shawnee Co, Ks which overlooks the capital of that
state. Mr. Spohr married July 27, 1876 Mrs. Catharine (ROUTH) INLOW, daughter
of AJ & Sarah A. Routh, early settlers in Walnut Twp. She was born Jan 9,
1843, in a little log cabin on the banks of Raccoon creek. When married to Mr.
Spohr she had two children by her first husband: Ida B. Inlow and James I.
Inlow. They also have one boy, left in the care of Mr. Spohr at the death of
the mother; this is (Mrs?) Henry F. JAMES. Mrs. Spohr with her daughter is a
member of the Christian Church. Mr. Spohr is a Mason, also a member of the
anti-horse thief assoc. He is one of the warmest republicans in the County and
a successful farmer.
File Created: 25 June 2011 - kz