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Jesse was a farm laborer. Residences & events: 1860 Shelby Co, IL, where Jesse was listed in the census 1862 MO 1865 Linnwood, MO Spring, 1866 Linn, Osage Co, MO 1868 Cold Spring, Shelby Co, IL 1870 His whereabout at census time have not been found. 1871 Linnwood, MO 1872 Cold Spring, IL 8/1876 Linnwood, MO 1880 Osage Co, MO, where Jesse was living with children, Joseph Aaronand Elizabeth. 12/23/1882 Jesse applied for a pension based on the Civil War serviceof son, James: "I am now 65 years of age. I am the father of James F.M Spurginwho was a member of 1K 1A Regt Ill Infy Vols. who died in the serviceof the United States. He was in the service about 2 months when hedied in April 1865 to the best of my recollection. I did not know hehad volunteered until after he was dead. I did not want him to go into the service, as I thought he wastoo young to endure the fatigues and exposures incident to a soldier'slife. I was then living in this county. He went to Illinois andenlisted. I went back to Illinois some time after his death and wasadvised to apply for a pension on account of his loss and my eyes. I did not do so, as I thought I could suffle (suffer ?) on as Ihad been doing. My eyes troubled me very much, but all the doctoringI could do, done me no permanent good. Sometimes I could see well enough to work and then my eyes wouldget worse and I could not work. I disliked the idea of being apensioner and postponed the matter of applying from time to time,often thinking I ought to do so. The testimony of my brother Aaron Spurgin cand his son Samuel isas good and perhaps the best I can give. They both knew mycircumstances while living in Illinois and also in Missouri. Thyemoved to Missouri a few months before I did. I have furnished the testimony of Jess Lambeth, one of the bestmen of the county, in regard to my condition for many years past. Idid not hear his affidavit read, and do not know its contents, but hehas help for years. John Miller another good man has also giventestimony in my case, but what the contents of his affidavit is I knownot. With this, I send the testimony of Thomas H. Bryan and wife. I have forward testimony that Dr Leander Rainy is dead. He hadprescribed for me in his life, but his prescriptions were only oftemporary benefit. I have also forwarded the testimony of Dr T.J.Fitts, he also prescribed for me, but without permanent relief. Had Ibeen able to live without work, and have gone to some physician whomade diseases of the eye a special study, I might have been cured. It is impossible for me to say what my income or earnings wereworth per month or by the year, as I could not work steadily, nor canI, or any else give the earnings of my son, as no account was kept ofhis work. His wages were paid to me and were consumed by myself andfamily. I have sent testimony of my sons death and also that of hismother, also my marriage to her. For years I have quit going to anydoctor for eye salves or washes, as not one of them done me any good.I have tried propular remedies, such as washes and poultices ofvarious kinds, but nothing benefits them permanently. Quietness andfreedom from dust is has a beneficial effect but I cannot keepquiet--I must work all I can." The affidavit of Dr Thomas J Fritts of Lakewood, IL, said he"prescribed for him, he being at that time afflicted with chronic soreeyes. I also prescribed for his wife, who was at time insane. I didnot prescribed for the crippled and idiotic child the daughter of saidJesse K Spurgin." Mr John Miller testified: "I know Jesse K Spurgin. I have beenacquainted with him ever since he came to this section of the country.Part of the time he lived about one fourth of a mile from me. In1863, 1864, 1865 and 1866. In 1866 he moved away about 7 miles off. He was then a very poor man and is still a poor man. For thelast six years, more or less, he has lived in the same school districtwith me. He now lives about two miles from me. I know that Jesse KSpurgin is an honest, sober and industrious man willing to work whenever he is able to do so. Ever since I knew him he has been afflictedwith sore eyes. He moved from place to place several times in the past 20 yearsand I believe he went to Illinois on two occasions (missing line - tovisit his son and) daughter. I cannot tell anything about whatassistance the boy rendered his father, but suppose that he done asother poor mens' boys have to do work all they can. I would not be willing to give Jesse K Spurgin fifty dollars ayear for all the work he could do, and be impelled to board and clothehim--to clothing to be such as laboring men wear. He has worked forme. I have no interest in the claim of Jesse K Spurgin for pensionnor am I concerned in its prosecution. Jesse K Spurgin has no source of income except that of manuallabor and such help as he receive from his son Aaron. He owns no realestate that I know anything about, but rents a little land everyyear." |
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He & 1st wife lived next door to Gilly & her parents in 1850 census. Property = $250 in 1860. |