Spencer - Mary Ramsay
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana July 9, 1909
Mary Ann Spencer was born Feb 27, 1827 in Russell Township, Putnam County, Indiana and died June 10, 1909 in her 83rd year. She was the daughter of William B. and Elizabeth Ramsay, pioneer settlers of Indiana. She came of an ancestry of zealous Christians of the Scotch Presbyterian faith. Her childhood was passed on the farm that her father entered and which she in true early day custom aided in clearing. She was united in marriage to Robert Spencer, Jr. October 20, 1852 and began married life in the village of Portland Mills at which place her husband was engaged in the mercantile business. Their wedding trip included a visit to the first State Fair at Indianapolis which in that early day was a great event. Seven years ago when the 50th anniversary of the fair was celebrated, Sec. Charles Downing sent her a complimentary ticket and she attended the celebration. She was the mother of three children: Mrs. James R. Crutchfield of Waveland; Mrs. Shelby W. McCormick of Waveland, deceased and Newton R. Spencer of Greenfield. Her husband died July 28, 1865. Early in life she united with the Associate Presbyterian Church, and in 1859 she united with the United Presbytieran Church when the Associate and Associate Reform churches formed one organization. She was faithful to all the various duties of life, and was very highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. She was active in church and in temparance crusades of the latter 70s. She was a remarkably well preserved woman until a few months ago when she was attacked by the dread disease cancer in a most malignant form which resulted in her death. The funeral occurred at the home of her son-in-law James R. Crutchfield, conducted by Rev. Thomas G. Pearce of the Presbyterian Church and Rev. U.M. Creath of the ME Church. The interment was at the side of her husband in the Portland Mills Cemetery at which place three generations of her family are buried. -- kbz