Stockton Herald News

Lutitia A. Posey was born near Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 24, 1821. When a child, she moved with her parents to Wayne Co., Ill. and there grew to womanhood.

In 1839 she was married to Merrick Russell and moved to Jo Daviess Co., Ill. Five children were born to them, of this number 2 survive.

Mr. Russell was killed in the gold mines of Cal. in 1851. In 1858 she was married to Mr. F. M. Spires and lived in Rush Twp. This union was blessed with 4 children.

The last years of their life were spent in Stockton so that they could be near their children. Mr. Spires preceded her to the grave 3 years ago.

The children now living are: Mrs. U. J. Ferris of Steuben, Wis., Mrs. Beatey of Greenvale, Ill., Mrs. John Carpenter, Venice, Ill., Joseph Spires of Plainview, Neb., Mrs. James Ritzel of Rathven, Ia., and Mrs. Henry Ellis of Stockton at whose residence she died.

Mrs. Spires was respected and beloved by all who knew here and her friends were many. Her illness was of short duration and on Wed. morning, Nov. 29 she passed quietly to that land which is veiled in mystery, except through a Christian belief. She was 78 years, 8 months and five days old.

All of her children were present except Mrs. Ferris of Wis. whose health prevented her attendance at the last sad rites which closed a long and useful life.

The funeral took place from the M.E. Church at 10:30 Friday morning, Rev. P. G. Linaweaver delivering the funeral sermon. Interment took place at Ladies Union Cemetary. The friends laying the remains to rest by the side of her husband.

We extend our sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends.


*****This small piece was in the Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1900 paper, front page, small paragraph:

Mrs. F. M. Spires died at nine o'clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Ellis. She was one of the early settlers, and well known in this vacinity.