Obituaries of Some Wilton Area Residents

From Wilton, Boone County, Missouri: History and Stories of a River Town, by David P. Sapp, 1993, pp. 79-81. Available in the Wilson-Wulff History and Genealogy Library at the Walters-Boone County Historical Museum. This entire 145-page book is available for purchase by contacting the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri.

Obituary - Nathan G. Hagans

From the Columbia Missouri Herald,
24 January 1902, p.10/col.2.

Nathan G. Hagan died at his home in Wilton, on Wednesday morning, January 22, 1902, at the age of 72 years. Mr. Hagan was a native of Missouri and one of the best known citizens of Boone County. During the war he lived at Marion, in Cole County, where he operated the ferry across the Missouri River. Immediately following the war he moved to old Rickey where he engaged in the grocery business until the town was destroyed by the encroachment of the river. For years he has lived in Wilton where he was engaged in merchandising up to the time of his death. Mr. Hagan was also a successful farmer.

He leaves two daughters and one son: Mrs. J.S. Rippeto, Mrs. G.W. Rippeto, and J.D. Hagan, of Columbia and Wilton. Their many friends mourn with them in their loss.

Note by David Sapp: The obituary incorrectly gave his last name as 'Hagan'. The reference to "Rickey" above must have been a newspaperman's poor interpretation of the name Eureka.

Obituary - Gilpin Spencer

From the Ashland Bugle,
17 May 1917, p.1/col.4.

GILPIN SPENCER DEAD. Former Well Known Boone County Resident Passed Away at Athens, Ala. -- Gilpin spencer, 82 years old, died at his home in Athens, Alabama, May 3, 1917, after an illness lasting two or three weeks. He was formerly a well known farmer near Wilton and is remembered kindly by the older citizens of Boone county.

Deceased was born and reared in Missouri, where he spent the most of his life. He was married in 1862 to Miss Sallie Hubbard, and to this union four children were born. Of this number two sons and a daughter are left to comfort the aged widow in her declining years.

Some years ago, says the Athens (Ala.) Courier, Mr. Spencer and his wife and son moved to Athens, where they have since resided. His son, E.B. Spencer, is now the owner of the Athens Book Store, and is well and favorably known in this community. Deceased connected himself with the Methodist church more than sixty years ago and his daily life and conversation showed that he remembered the vows taken at the alter of the church and he was a man whose life and living gave every evidence of faith in God and a living belief in the life eternal. Since coming to this city he has lived a very quiet life, mingling little with the world, and was therefore known to but the intimate friends of the family.

His body was laid to rest in our city cemetery, being followed to its last resting place by many friends and his surviving children and grandchildren, services being conducted by Dr. Simpson and Dr. Glasgow at the grave.

To his widow and children the Courier extends its sympathy in their loss of husband and father, but his life and example is a heritage that they can all cling to and cherish.

Obituary - Gilpin Spencer

From the Hartsburg Truth,
18 May 1917, p.1/col.1.

GILPIN SPENCER DEAD. Gilpin Spencer, a pioneer resident of the Wilton neighborhood, died May 3 at his home in Athens, Alabama. Until about 15 years ago, he was one of the leading farmers and citizens of this section, and was well known.

Obituary - Gilpin Spencer

From the Alabama Courier,
Athens, Alabama, 9 May 1917, p.1.

GILPIN SPENCER DIES

Last Thursday Mr. Gilpin Spencer, one of the oldest citizs of the city died at his home on Coleman Hill after an illness lasting for two or three weeks. He was eighty-two years of age.

Mr. Spencer was born and reared in Missouri, where he spent the most of his life. He was married in 1862 to Miss Sallie Hubbard, and to this union four children were born, of this number two sons and a daughter are left to comfort the aged widow in her declining years.

Some years ago Mr. Spencer and his wife and son moved to Athens where they have since resided. His son Mr. E.B. Spencer is now the owner of the Athens Book Store, and is well and favorably known in htis community. Mr. Spencer connected himself with the Methodist church more than sixty years ago and his daily life and conversation showed that he remembered the vows taken at the alter of the church and he was a man whose life and living gave every evidence of faith in God and a living belief in the life eternal.

Since coming to this city he has lived a very quiet life mingling little with the world, and was therefore known to but the intimate friends of the family, but those who knew him appreciated him.

His body was laid to rest in our city cemetery, being followed to its last resting place by many friends, and his surviving children and grand children. Services were conducted by Dr. Simpson and Dr. Glasgow at the grave.

To his widow and children the Courier extends its sympathy in their loss of husband and father, but his life and example is a heritage that they can all cling to and cherish.

Obituary - Hail T. Wright

From the Columbia Statesman,
23 October 1908, p.6/col.4.

JUDGE H.T. WRIGHT DEAD. Judge Hail T. Wright, one of the oldest citizens of the county, died at the Athens Hotel Sunday morning, October 18, 1908, at 1 o'clock, after a short illness. Judge Wright was born in this county in 1831 and has lived here all his life. He was married in 1855 to Miss Mary Lindsey. To them was born a son and three daughters, W.R. Wright, of Hartsburg, Mrs. Annie Sterns of Kansas City, Mrs. Hattie Martin of Kansas City and Mrs. Alice Bruce of Mexico, Missouri. Judge Wright served 4 years as Judge of the county court and declined further honors. He was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. The remains were buried at Goshen church Monday morning by the Masonic fraternity of which order he had long been a member.

Note: A similar obituary appeared in the Hartsburg Truth of 23 October, 1908, p1.