Brownsville Women Study Club Spalding family, settlers of Brownsville By Laura Holbrook The February 8, 2013 meeting of the Brownsville Women’s Study Club was held in the home of Sharon McCoy with a presentation by Linda McCormick on the Spalding family. Club members learned about Henry Harmon Spalding (a Presbyterian minister) and his wife Eliza (Hart) Spalding one of the first white women to cross the Oregon trail. They moved to Brownsville in 1849. The children of Henry and Eliza were: Eliza Spalding Warren, Henry Hart Spalding, Martha Jane Spalding Wigle and Amelia (Millie) Lorene Spalding Brown. Eliza Hart Spalding died in 1851, the first person to be buried in the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery (she was later disinterred and buried near her husband in Nez Perce County, Spalding, Idaho). Henry needed a wife and mother for his children and married Rachel Smith in 1853. Linda’s research unearthed interesting stories of this prominent Brownsville family including the story of how they survived the Whitman Massacre of 1847 with the help of Timothy, a Nez Perce Indian. Information about the land purchases and holdings of the Spalding family were displayed on maps, including much of downtown Brownsville, Atavista Farm and the surrounding area, property along Northern Drive and Mt. Home Road. Daughter Martha eloped on April 15, 1860 with William (Bill) Wigle on horseback “up the Gap” (currently Gap Road). Her angry father followed in pursuit also on horseback, galloping at top speed trying to catch the bride and groom to prevent the marriage. Henry was not able to catch them and they were married. A drive by Atavista Farm reminds one of the original owner, Amelia, who suffered poor health and terrible back pain but still managed to sew her children‘s clothing while living in this beautiful home. Librarian and club members Sherri Lemhouse reported this month on the many books purchased for the library this year with club funds raised during their annual fund raiser and friendship basket. Library patrons may also come across books that have been donated by the club in honor of their past members. When a member passes away, a book is purchased by the club and donated in their name, the most recent donation of this type was to honor Prudy Daeger. The Brownsville Women’s Study Club was established in 1910. It is credited with many significant accomplishments in Brownsville, including organizing and raising funds for building of the library. The club focuses on service to the community, especially the library, Moyer house and education. It still holds monthly meetings in the homes of members and in library Kirk room, September through June each year. Henrey Spalding Martha and Eliza Spalding circa 1915 Daughters of Henry and Eliza Hart Spalding

Brownsville Women's Study Club

This blog is for the Brownsville Women's Study Club, who will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2010. This club meets on the second Friday of the month during the months of September - May, in Brownsville Oregon. The meetings are for members and their guests.