Freeport Journal Standard (Freeport Illinois) Sept. 16, 1939

Phillip Sprecher, Mt. Morris

Mt. Morris, Ill Sept 16—Philip Sprecher, a retired farmer who was born near Mt. Morris 92 years ago and had lived in this vicinity all his life, died Thursday night at his home.
The son of Daniel and Barbara Coffman Sprecher, he was born May 25, 1847 and had lived in Mt. Morris since he retired from farming several years ago.
He was first married in 1875 to Susan Newcomer who preceded him in death. A son, Willis, of Chicago and four grandchildren survive.
On Oct 18, 1913 he was married to Nettie Shafer who survives as does a sister, Mrs. Liza Eakel, of Johnstown, Pa.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the home and at 2:30 o’clock at the Christian church. Rev. Harold Wiltz will officiate assisted by Rev. N. A. Bolinger of Rock Island., former pastor of the Mt Morris church. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery.

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Mount Morris Index (Mount Morris, Illinois) 22 September 1939

P. T. Sprecher Is Called To Rest In Ninety-Third Year
Pioneer Mount Morris Business Man-Farmer Is Summoned Thursday, Sept. 14

Death came peacefully on Thursday night of last week to Philip T. Sprecher, Mount Morris Township’s oldest native resident at his home on East Center Street. His passing at the age of over 92 years after a long period of declining health brought to an end the list of pioneers born in this vicinity during the decade following the arrival of the first settlers.

His grandfather, Phillip Sprecher, came to this section from the east on horseback in the summer of 1837, making claim of the land now known as the Moats farm one mile east of Mount Morris. He was followed to the prairie country in 1838 by the subject’s parents, Daniel and Barbara Sprecher.

Mr. Sprecher was born May 25, 1847 on a farm north of town. He attended a country school and later took a course at Rock River Seminary. After farming for a few years he went to Missouri in 1869, returning to Mount Morris two years later to establish a lumber business, operated until 1891 when he moved to Leaf River.

He moved back to this city in 1901 and for a period of nearly 40 years was privileged to enjoy the fruits of his early labors.

He was first married in 1876 to Susan Newcomer, who preceded him in death on July 15, 1908. Four children, Edward, Willis A., Mary and Elizabeth were born to this union; only one of whom, Willis, of Chicago survives.

On Oct. 18, 1913 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Nettie Spielman Slifer, who with a sister, Mrs. Liza Eakle of Johnstown, Pa., mourns his passing.

Mr. Sprecher was a faithful member of the local Christian Church for many years and was known as a staunch prohibitionist, steadfastly voting the prohibition ticket.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the home and later at the Christian Church. The rites were in charge of Rev. W. Harold Wiltz, assisted by Rev. N. A. Bolinger of Rock Island, former pastor of the Mount Morris Church. Burial was made in Plainview Cemetery.

Contributed by Jane Edson

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