My Genealogy Hound

ELIAS SPITLER, farmer; P. O. Gordon. The subject of this memoir was born in Adams Co., Penn., May 16, 1821, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Spitler, natives of Pennsylvania, afterward residents of Montgomery Co. Our subject was reared as a farmer boy, and assisted in the work of the farm till he was 27 years of age. He was united in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Ruth Heater, Feb. 24, 1848; they were natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage, Mr. Spitler began life in good earnest; he had no capital, in fact not $5 at the time of his marriage. He engaged in farming in Montgomery Co., till 1856, when he removed to Darke Co., on the place where he now resides. He purchased 80 acres of land, partly in the woods, and, by the united efforts of himself and lady, which combined energy with determination, they overcame all the obstacles of life, and the fruit of their toil is a beautiful home, surrounded by all the comforts of life. Children Rufus, born April 26, 1849; Anna M., born July 15, 1850; Harriet, born May 30, 1852; Amanda, born Sept. 10, 1861; Rufus departed this life in the bloom of young manhood, Nov. 23, 1871, aged 22 years 6 months and 27 days, leaving his young bride to mourn his departure, they only being married four months; Amanda, departed this life March 5, 1873, aged 19 years 5 months and 20 days; she was Mrs. Harvey Ludy and left a husband and one child. Mr. Spitler has been Trustee of his township for three years, and has been School Director for many years. He and his good wife have been members of the Lutheran Church for a period of thirty-five years, and are universally beloved and respected by all who know them.