SPENCER, Catherine Westbrook - Putnam

Catharine Westbrook, the daughter of Jacob and Ann Westbrook was born in Chester district, South Carolina, October 22, 1827 and died at the home of ___________________ (smudged - likely says daughter, Mary Ramsey) Crawfordsville, Indiana, April 3, 1919, aged 91 years, 5 months and 12 days. She came with her parents to Indiana in 1834 and located on a farm near Bloomington where she spent her girlhood life. She was united in marriage to Paul G. Spencer February 12, 1851. To this union were born six children, three of whom are still living, William W. of Crawford county, Illinois, Tighlman R. of Manitou, Colorado, and Mary R. Ramey of Crawfordsville, Indiana, also a step-son, Nathaniel S. of Marshall, Indiana, One daughter, Sarah Elizabeth died at the age of 4 months. Two sons, James A. and Alexander T. preceded her in death recently. After her marriage to Mr. Spencer they lived for a few years in Putnam county, about one mile east of Portland Mills, removing in 1863 to the farm in Parke county where they lived until Mr. Spencer's death in 1898. Since then she has made her home with her children, most of the time with her daughter, Mrs. Ramsay.

She united with the Associate Reformed church at Bloomington in early life, and after her marriage she with her husband helped to organize the United Presbyterian church near Portland Mills. She continued a faithful and consistent member of this church until her death, and as long as physically able was a regular attendant at church services. She was diligent student of the Bible, continuing to read it daily until her recent illness made it impossible. She was always willing to do the work necessary to keep the church organization moving smoothly. She was always very much interested in the missionary work of the church and was very proud of a granddaughter, Kate Spencer, who on Mrs. Spencer's 91st birthday bade her goodbye and she sailed to India as a missionary. Aunt Catharine as the friends and neighbors called her, was always a welcome visitor, her cheerfulness coming into their homes like sunshine. Her friendship to them is a beautiful memory.

Mrs, Spencer was actively interested in all work of her home, continuing to take part in all its affairs as long as she was able. Her life reached from the time when this community was almost a wilderness, to this time of comfortable homes, and her hands helped to build and keep much that we enjoy. She leaves to mourn her loss, besides her children, sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one brother, William Westbrook of Paxton, Illinois, a sister, Rebecca Burnside of Stafford, Kansas, with many other relatives and friends. Brief services were held at the home of her daughter Saturday at 10 a.m. after which the body was taken to the Associate Church near Portland Mills, where the funeral was conducted by Dr. Cowan of the First United Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, and Rev. J.R. Sillars of the First Presbyterian Church of Crawfordsville. Burial in Portland Mills cemetery. These who attended the funeral from a distance were Dr. Cowan and Mrs. Viola Spencer of Indianapolis, Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Gillespie and daughter, Alma, of Lafayette, William Westbrook, of Paxton, Ill., William Spencer and daughter, Louise, of Robinson, Ill., Nathaniel Spencer, Harry Beeson and wife of Marshall. - transcribed by Kim H