U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Spears, Samuel Tilden (1877-1936) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Bench and Bar of West Virginia by George Wesley Atkinson Virginia Law Book Company; Charleston, W.Va.; 1919 Pages 334-336 Samuel Tilden Spears, LL.B. Our subject, son of Aaron N. and Rhodes E. Spears, was born in Wetzel County, West Virginia, October 7, 1877. During his younger years he attended the public schools; later he entered the State Normal School at Fairmont, Marion County, and graduated in the class of 1897; still later he became a student in the Law Department of the West Virginia University, and graduated therefrom in 1903 as a bachelor of Laws. Having decided upon the city of Elkins as one of the most promising locations for a young lawyer, at least, in the central part of West Virginia, he cast his lot there in the fall of 1903, hung out a sign with these words, painted in large letters thereon, " S. T. Spears, Attorney at Law "; and that conspicuous "Shingle" is hanging there yet, and is likely there to remain, it is to be hoped, for forty or fifty years to come. Samuel Tilden, the younger, and the city have developed in about the same proportion, and are still growing, and we hope and expect that they will keep on moving, hand in hand, until they attain full stature. "Elkins is some city," and it cannot be gainsaid that Brother Spears is "some lawyer" also. Nature endowed him with a strong and rugged intellect, and he has made good use of it. He early learned that application, promptness and fidelity are the qualities which insure professional success, and with these he brought to the Bar an honorable ambition and a zealous purpose in every sphere in which his professional services were employed. He possesses indefatigable industry, sound judgment, and is moral and upright in his conduct and dealings. For prohity and fair dealing no man in his community stands above him. He is also a safe and sound lawyer, and ranks high in his profession. His practice is of a general character and extends into all the State and Federal Courts. In politics Mr. Spears is a Democrat. He served for a number of years as a member of the Board of Managers of the State Reform School for Boys, and showed a deep interest in Reformatory work and did much to improve conditions in that institution. He was for six years solicitor of the City of Elkins, and all the while was an attentive and efficient officer. He is Chairman of the Local Draft Board, and has rendered patriotic service to his State and country in the European War. He is a prominent Freemason and is an active member of the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also an influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1916 was elected as a Delegate to the General Conference of that powerful religious organization of the United Slates and of the world. Mr. Spears and Miss Stella Gail Ford were married September 21, 1900, and have one child -- Marjorie Gail Ford, who was born at Fairmont, West Virginia, August l6, 1901. Mr. Spears ranks among the splendid citizens of West Virginia, and has the confidence and respect of all the people who know him. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- VITAL RECORDS DEATH CERTIFICATE, Elkins, Randolph County WV #1288 Full-name: Samuel Tilden Spears Birth: Oct 7, 1877 in WVa Death: Jan 25, 1936 in Elkins, Randolph County WV Married Parents: A. N. & Rhoda Spears Burial: Maplewood Cemetery DEATH CERTIFICATE, Randolph County WV 316788 Full-name: Stella Ford Spears Birth: Jul 28, 1879 in Harrison County WV Death: Dec 26, 1940 in Elkins, Randolph County WV Widow Dau-of: Thomas L. Ford & Julia Davisson Burial: Maplewood Cemetery --------------------------------------------------------------------- CENSUS RECORDS 1900 Census, Harrison County WV Tenmile District, ED:54, Sheet 14B SPEARS, Alfred F (head) Jul-1871, 28, m-5yrs, WV-Maine-WV, Tool Dresser Oil Wells ", Mary E (wife) Apr-1872, 2-children/2-living, WV-WV-WV children: Alice P born Jul-1896, and Alfred P born Jun-1898 SPEARS, Samuel T (brother) Oct-1877, 22, WV-WV-WV, Tool Dresser Oil Wells MOORE, Melvin A (border) Oct-1874, 25, WV-Pa-WV, Driller Oil Wells WILLIAMS, Rinaldo P (border) Aug-1864, 35, Pa-Pa-Pa, Driller Oil Wells 1910 Census, Randolph County WV Leadville District, Elkins city, ED:122, Sheet 19B Lines 78-80, Elm Street, Enum-Dw #486, Enum-Fam #520 SPEARS, Samuel T (head) 32, m1-9yrs, WV-Maine-WV, Lawyer, Gen Practice ", Stella G (wife) 31, 1-child/1-living, WV-WV-WV ", Marjorie G (dau) 8, WV-WV-WV 1920 Census, Randolph County WV Elkins City 2nd Ward, ED:157, Sheet 6A Lines 3-6, 100 Guy Street, Enum-Dw #102, Enum-Fam #107 SPEARS, Samuel T (head) 42, WV-Maine-WV, Lawyer, General Practice ", Stella G (wife) 41, WV-WV-WV ", Marjorie Gail (dau) 18, S, WV-WV-WV FORD, Julia U (Mother-in-law) 73, Wd, WV-WV-WV 1930 Census, Randolph County WV Leadville Precinct, Elkins City 5th Ward, ED:42-15, Sheet 4B Lines 67-68, 212 Kerens Avenue, Enum-Dw #61, Enum-Fam #106 SPEARS, Samuel T (head) 53, mar-at-age 22, WV-Maine-WV, Attorney-at-law ", Stella F (wife) 51, mar-at-age 21, WV-WV-WV ---------------------------------------------------------------------