Pioneer of 1886 Dies In Wallowa
Wallowa, Oregon
Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Spencer, a Wallowa County Pioneer, passed away at her home in Wallowa, Sunday, January 20, 1935. She was nearly 90 years old.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Christian Church in Wallowa, conducted by Reverend Walter Meyer, pastor, assisted by Reverend L. B. Williams of the Presbyterian Church, and Dr. H.W. Oliver, an old neighbor. Burial was in the Wallowa Cemetery.
Sarah Elizabeth Williams was born December 7, 1845, near Blandinsville, McDonough County, Illinois, the daughter of James and Mary Williams. She was the oldest of eleven, only two of whom survive. Edgar Williams, of Everett WA and a sister, Isabel Mackey of Los Angeles, CA.
Her girlhood days were spent on her fathers farm.
On December 6, 1866 she was married to John Andrew Ghent. Six children were born to this marriage. Iris Bloodsworth of Enterprise, Cora Johnston of Notus Idaho, Anna Brown of Edmonds WA, Rosa Groat of Eugene OR. Ten grand children, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grand child, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In 1874 she, her husband and children left IL and moved to Missouri. In 1883 they moved to Oregon to the Grande Ronde Valley. In 1886 they moved to Wallowa, and homesteaded on Parsnip Creek, above Lostine.
At that time Wallowa had two buildings. Life was hard and the country was new. She traveled many miles on horseback helping care for neighbors in need.
On August 17, 1893 her husband passed away. For several years she lived on the homestead, but finding life too hard, she moved to town 35 years ago. She married J. F. Spencer in 1914, he died April 1, 1925.
She joined the Baptist Church at age l4, and was faithful to her savior to the end. After coming to Wallowa she joined the Christian Church. She always loved to attend, as long as she was able but in later years enjoyed sermons over the radio, and always read a chapter in her bible on Sunday morning.
Known as Grandma to her friends and neighbors, and was loved by all. She was active in body and alert in mind until the last two weeks. A kind friend, loving Mother and generous neighbor, she was always faithful to her duties and obligations.
Wallowa Chieftain, Enterprise, Oregon
Donated by Mary Carter
