Note: death date from tombstone in the Blair Cemetery

Printed in the June 11, 1900 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

The death of Samuel R. Spiker, a resident of this county for thirty-one years, occurred last Saturday morning from apoplexy, a disease he had suffered with for some time. Deceased was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1844, and at the age of eight years came to Illinois with his parents where he remained until 1861 when he enlisted with the 10th Illinois Volunteers, but after eighteen months’ service was discharged on account of deafness and rheumatism. After remaining at home for five months he re-enlisted with the 28th Illinois regiment and served until the close of the war. In April, 1869, he was married to Miss Hattie E. Myers of Terre Haute, Ind., and in the following October came to Nebraska, then a rolling prairie, and settled on the homestead near Spiker, where he died. Mr. Spiker was a big hearted, whole souled man, always doing something for people not as fortunate as himself. He was well and favorably known and liked as was manifest at the funeral which took place yesterday at the Rose Hill church, Rev. A. T. Young of this city officiating, where fully 500 people gathered to show respect for their departed neighbor and friend. The Masonic order, of which he was a member, was in attendance and performed their rites. He leaves a loving wife and six children, five boys and one girl, all who reside with or near him, except Thadeus who is in Nance county, this state. The bereaved family have the sympathy of a host of friends.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave memorial # 57412188