THE SPEARS
Page 31
THE SPEARS
Page 31
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This family are distinct from the Spears of whom there are many respectable members in adjacent counties. They are of English origin, and are now represented in Mason county by John W., Samuel B., and William C., together with their mother, Mrs. Ellen Spear. Elhanan B. Spear, the father of the above name children, was born in Canada, April 30, 1807. His father died while he was a youth, and he was reared by his uncle, who lived in the State of New York. After he had arrived at the age of manhood he came to Illinois and settled in Menard county, and was married to Mrs. Ellen Bonney; whose maiden name was Webb, on the 29th of November, 1847. Mrs. Spear was born March 26, 1815, in Bolton, near Manchester, England. She remembers the rough and stormy passage across the sea of eleven weeks with her uncle, when the vessel was only saved from shipwreck among the icebergs by what would seem a special intervention of Providence. She landed at Alexandria, Virginia, and afterwards went to Baltimore, in the vicinity of which place her early years were spent. Her father, Samuel Webb, came west and settled in Menard county, Illinois, where as before stated, she married Mr. Spear. All of the children from this marriage are now living excepting Thomas C., who died July 24, 1854. William C. has taken up his abode in Kansas, Samuel resides on the home place in Salt Creek township, with his mother, and John W. is now taking his second course of lectures at Rush Medical College. John W. Spear, being the eldest of the family, deserves a brief notice at our hands. Without any more than ordinary advantages of schooling, and while engaged in hard labor on the farm, he was able to take hold of the study of anatomy and physiology, under the guidance of Dr. J.P. Walker, in March, 1872, and after a due course of study and attendance in lectures, he went into partnership with him, and during the sickly season of 1873 took a great part of his labor off his hands. In 1874 he also assisted his partner, Dr. Walker, in the management of a great many cases, and their business exceeded one thousand dollars per month. He is entirely devoted to medicine and surgery. The study and practice of these branches are his sole occupation and pleasure, and some operations already performed by him give an indication of superior surgical ability. He intends to perfect himself in the study of anatomy and surgery in our best institutions; and his daily hope and labor are directed towards perfection in his chose science. His preceptor and his acquaintances speak of him in terms that will hardly admit of repetition without the charge of flattery; but every one concedes to him nerve, pluck and perseverance that will ultimately bring success. |