Third Generation

27. George HARTSHORN⁷ was born about 1808. He lived in Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Iowa in 1877. George was a practicing physician, an ordained Methodist minister and was admitted to the bar.

George HARTSHORN and Betsy SPEAR were married on 10 Dec 1832. Betsy SPEAR^13,14 (daughter of Elijah SPEAR Jr. and Betsy NOBEL) was born on 6 May 1804 in Sheffield, Hartford Co., Conn.. She was born on 6 Aug 1809 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut. She died on 15 Oct 1899 in Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., IA. She was buried on 18 Oct 1899 in Elmwood, St Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., IA. Lot 38 Blk. 2.. She died in 1905 in Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Iowa. She was a school teacher in Mason City, Iowa, ca. 1861/63.
In the research work of Vern Raymond Spear, Published 1988 under the title of "The Descendants of George Spear who settled at Braintree,Massachusetts 1642-1988" Betsy Spear is cited as born Aug 6, 1809 in Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. The Spear family had settled in Braintree, Mass. a town outside of Boston. Thus the discrepancies of where Betsy was born. This researcher is unable to explain the different birth dates for Betsy. It is clear this Betsy is our ancestor, as this research book cites her as marrying George Hartshorn.

Betsy Spear, was born in Mass. whereas other records reflect her place of birth as Conn. Further research clarifies this issue, as this area of her birth has been transferred between CT and MA during their early statehood. Even today, Suffield, Conn. is but a few miles south of the Massachusetts border.

6 children 4 still living at the time of her death in 1899 according to The Mason City newspaper obituary

Betsy's father died when she was young.

The lot card at Elmwood Cemetery notes she was present at George A. Custer's birth. This fact places the Hartshorns in New Rumley, Harrison County, Ohio, on December 5, 1839.

Researchers notes: CUSTER, George Armstrong, soldier, born in New Rumley,Harrison County, Ohio, December 5, 1839; died in Montana, 25 June, 1876.Custer's parents are Emanuel Henry Custer b.1807 Cryssoptown, MD; Maria Ward Kirkpatrick, B. Burgettstown, Washington Co., PA, second marriage for both.

She was a teacher in Mason City during the Civil War. Her father was in the War of 1812 and her Grandfather was in the Revolutionary War.

The following obituary was copied from an unnamed newspaper presumably a Mason City Newspaper from the content of the writing. It was a compilation of articles apparently sent to Ralph Milligan Nelson by his sister Beatrice Nelson-Holden.

IN MEMORIUM: Sleep beloved, Sleep and take thy rest, lay down thy head upon thy Saviors breast, Good night Good Night! Calm is thy slumber as an infant sleep, But thou shall wake no more to toil and weep, Thine is a perfect rest secure and deep, Good Nigh! Good Night! Until the shadows from the earth are cast, until He gathers in His sheaves at last, Until the twilight gloom be ever past, Good night! Good night! Until the Eastern glory lights the skies, Until the dead in Jesus arise, and He shall cone , but not in lowly guise, Good night! Good night! Until we meet again before the throne, Clothed in the sleepless robe he gives Hi sown, Until we know we even as we are known, Good night! Good night!

So ended the pure life of Grandma Hartshorn at 90 years of age, Monday at the home of her son-in-law J. J. Russell on East State Street. She was conscious up to with in 30 minutes of her death and with a clear mind stated over and over again she was ready to depart for her heavenly home,for with her there was no fear of the future.

The deceased, Betsy Spear Hartshorn, was born at Suffield, Hartford Co.,Conn., August 6th 1809, She was married to George Hartshorn, Milton,(Tuscarawas Co.), Ohio, Nov. 10th 1831. To them were born six children four of whom are now living, Mrs J. J. Russell of this city, B.F. Hartshorn of Walker (Cass Co.), Minn. formerly an attorney of this city and elected Senator of this District, Mrs. L. A. Hodge of Olathe, (Johnson Co.), Kan. and Mrs J. A. Nelson of Spirit Lake, (Dickinson Co.),IA.

In 1864 they moved to Mason City IA. and in 1869 removed to Kansas where a year later the Rev. Geo. Hartshorn died and soon after Grandma returned to her daughters home Mrs J. J. Russell where she has lived since an honored and beloved member of the household, Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and her grandfather was in the Revolutionary War. Grandma Hartshorn was present at the birth of Gen. Custer on Dec 6, 1839. She dressed this young stranger upon his arrival in the world. Mrs. Custer and Mrs. Hartshorn were warm friends.

The Funeral services were held at the M. (Methodist) E. Church Wednesday at 2:30 P.M. conducted by Rev. Clinton, assisted by Rev. Chaffe of the Baptist church. Rev. Clinton spoke very touchingly of her of her grand Christian character. In conclusion the choir sang "I'm Going Home to Die No More," a favorite song of her's

The following is a writing she wrote at 83 years of age and was found among her old papers. Her experience:

"My father died when I was very young, My mother and my grandparents were very religious and spared no pains but, instructed us in all the principles of religion. It's influences I feel this day.

When I was 16 years of age I experienced what I believe was a change. I will tell how this change was really felt. I was brought into the light,I saw myself a great sinner, my sins weighted me down. I sought alone where to pray where none but God could hear me. I prayed for him to have mercy on me and there in that lonely spot the light broke in on my spiritual soul. I arose to my feet and felt that I had opened my eyes to a new creation. Everything spoke praise to God and my soul shall ever praise Him. The stars sparkle with glory, all things praising God, how many years have past and many miles away my thoughts carry me back to my conversion, to the hallowed spot where love divine first found me. I was not satisfied and wanted more of heavens joy and (k)new I would receive more if sought for. My will was not wholly God's will and prayed :Help me be Thine O God," I struggled hard and help came and I felt myself wholly Gods's and my sins all forgiven and assured that I was saved. Light and love filled my spirit. the material body is not always with us. I believe when the body is no more use to the spirit the spirit will leave the body and enter the spirit world. I have lived a life worthy. I shall live with these good Christian friends that have gone and left a good hope of Heaven. My soul leaps forward to that day, when in that happy holy land;we ne'er shall take the paring hand.

The following verses were written when 83 years of age.

When the storm of life is o'er, And it's fleeting days are no more then I will go home, To meet that I've gone on before, Through this world of sorrow to pass, then shall I meet those kind friends.

Researchers Notes: The above flowery religious phrases sound more like the writings of Aunt Be a (Beatrice Nelson Holden) that I recall as youngster when I was attempting to read her letters sent to my father,Bea's brother, Hector Lynn Nelson. These comments are not meant to question the recorded deep faith of Betsy but to point out the writings may be a compilation of Bea's notes rather than Betsy's writings; however it is noted Great-grandmother Hartshorn is married to a Methodist minister and both Bea and Betsy were deeply devoted lifelong Christians.

A second obituary: DEATH OF GRANDMA HARTSHORN
Mrs. Betsy Hartshorn died at the residence of her son-in-law, J. J.Russell at East State Street at 6;00 O'clock on Monday morning. All who have known the Russell family have been pleased to have the acquaintship of the grandmother, who was such an honored member of the household. None knew her but to love her for her kindness of manner and long and honorable life, which had lasted for over ninety years. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. and were conducted by Rev. Clinton of the Methodist church He spoke most feelingly of her beautiful Christian character Her life certainly was an example for all to follow.

The deceased was born in Suffield, (Hartford Co.), Conn., Aug 6, 1803,and in 1831 was married to Rev. Hartshorn a Methodist Minister, who subsequently became attorney and a physician on account of his health .They removed here in 1864 and in 1869 he went to Kansas where a year later he died. Mrs Hartshorn returned soon after and has made her home ever since with her daughter, Mrs Jacob Russell, first in the country and for the last five years in the city. Four children survive their mother;Mrs M. Nelson of Lake Park, (Dickinson Co., Iowa), Mrs L. A. Hodge,Olathe, (Johnson Co.,) Kan. and B.F. Hartshorn of Walker, (Cass Co..),Minn. George HARTSHORN and Betsy SPEAR had the following children: