©2001, 2002 Nicole Carr
Obituary of
Martin Spire
Thanks to
the Gage County Historical Society for looking this up.
"Martin L. Spire was born in Gloucestershire, England on November 18, 1837, and died at his home near Holmesville, Nebr., August 28, 1899. He came to Tama County Iowa in 1855 at age 18. In 1860 he married Rachel Mahana. July 4, 1864 he was wounded at DeValls Bluff, Ark., in the battle of Hellena. His wife was killed by lightening August 1864. He later married Susan (Yaple) Good and moved to Beatrice, Nebr in 1878, where he resided until his death. He suffered long but was patient, leaning on the arm of his Saviour. He was a faithfull member of the Dunkard church, surrounded by loved ones to the last. He died in hope of a life beyond. Present at his bedside were his wife, 2 daughters, and their husbands, Mesdames Smith and Brown, his brother Chris Spire of Tama, Iowa, 3 grandchildren of Beatrice, a niece, Maggie Schornberg of Louisville, Kentucky and many friends. He served in the deacon's office of his church for 25 years."