E. F. Spears, 1840-1907, Paris Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kentucky

from The Bourbon News, Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Friday, August 30, 1907

Captain E. F. Spears Dead

Captain E. F. Spears, one of Paris’ most prominent and highly esteemed citizens, died at his home on High Street, Thursday morning at 6 o’clock of heart trouble.

In the passing away of Captain Spears a devoted husband, a loving father, an honored business man, a brave soldier, a true and loyal friend has been removed from our midst.

Captain Spears was born in Paris in 1840, and was the third son of Abram Spears and Rebecca Ford.  At the age of thirteen he began to do for himself, being early in life trained to provide for his own necessities, and after meeting all the obligations of life like a true man, he dies a wealthy man, leaving one of the largest and most prosperous enterprises in our community, being at the head of the well-known firm of E. F. Spears and Sons.

At the outbreak of war he espoused the cause of the South, and volunteered his services in the Second Kentucky Infantry as private, he was, however, soon after elected First Lieutenant in Company G, known in history as the ‘Orphan Brigade,’ and for effective service rendered, he was promoted to a Captaincy, and bravely led his company until the close of the war.  During this time he participated in all the heavy battles in which his command was engaged, except Shiloh.  He was three times wounded and once taken prisoner, yet through it all, he acquitted himself as a true and gallant soldier.

There are only three surviving members now left of the famous ‘Orphan Brigade’ – J. F. McDonald, of Kansas City, now visiting friends here, John Carrington, of Nicholasville, and John Mahone, who has been an inmate of the county infirmary for twenty hears, refusing a number of times to allow Captain Spears to provide a home for him.

Upon his return to Paris at the termination of the war, Captain Spears engaged in the grocery business for two years with his brother, the late Henry Spears.  In 1867 he engaged in business under the firm name of Woodford, Spears & Clay, which lasted for nine years when the firm dissolved.  Captain Spears then purchased the mill site on Stoner, now known as Spears’ Mill, which he conducted until he moved to Paris in about 1886.

In coming to Paris he purchased the coal, grain and seed business of his deceased brother, Mr. William Spears, and for a number of years the firm name was Spears and Stuart until the firm was dissolved and Captain Spears then took his two sons, Woodford and Catesby, into the business with him.

In 1866 he married Miss Sallie Woodford, eldest daughter of the late John T. Woodford.  To them were born five children, Miss Mary, John Woodford, Miss Lizzie, Catesby Woodford, and Keith Young Spears, who with their mother, survive.

Captain Spears was a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian Church for years, and for a number of years has held the office of Elder.  He will be missed by his church.

The funeral services will be held at the residence on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock conducted by Rev. Dr. E. H. Rutherford.

The pall-bearers will be Dr. C. J. Clarke, James McDonald, George R. Bell, Buckner Woodford, Sr., Cabell Bullock, Lot Young, Charles Stephens and John T. Woodford.

Sallie Woodford Spears, 1841-1919, Paris Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kentucky

from The Bourbon News, Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Tuesday, October 7, 1919

Following a long illness, during which she bore her suffering with a resignation born of faith and understanding of the rewards that come to those who have fought the good fight.  Mrs. Edward F. Spears, aged seventy-nine, widow of the late Captain Edward F. Spears, of Paris, died at her home on High Street, in this city, at 6:30 o’clock last night.  Mrs. Spears had been an invalid for a long time, and her death, while not unexpected, came like a shock to those who knew and loved her.  Mrs. Spears’ death is indirectly ascribed to the effects of a fall which she sustained some time ago, when her hip was broken.

Mrs. Spears was a daughter of the late Mr. John T. Woodford, of Montgomery County.  She was a member of the Paris Presbyterian Church, to which she was devoted.  She is survived by two daughters, Misses Mary and Elizabeth Spears, three sons, Catesby Spears, Woodford Spears and Keith Spears, all of Paris, three brothers, John T. Woodford and Henry Woodford, of Montgomery County, and Catesby Woodford, of this county, and one sister, Mrs. William L. Yerkes, now residing in Los Angeles, California.

The funeral arrangements had not been completed as we went to press last night, but the funeral will probably be held Wednesday afternoon.

In the death of Mrs. Spears the community loses a truly Christian woman, one whose womanly attributes endeared her to all who knew her.  To her family she has ever been a counselor, advisor and friends, and was staunch and true in all her relations to life.