Madora Belle (Bricker) Spencer (abt. 1859 - 1895)

Born about 1859 in Henry County, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Wife of John Spencer — married 6 Aug 1887 in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States

Died 21 Oct 1895 at about age 36 in Richmond, Wayne, Indiana, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Spencer Name Study.

Madora Belle Bricker was born about 1859 in Henry County, Indiana, United States, daughter of George Bricker (~1817–1881) and Susan Kissell (~1822–1893).^[1]

Her siblings were:

• Arnold Bricker (unknown – >1927)
• Daniel P. Bricker (1840 – 6 November 1909)
• Clarisse Bricker (0 November 1844 – 19 November 1920)
• John M. Bricker (26 November 1845 – 1 November 1862)
• William Henry Bricker (abt. 1 March 1849 – abt. 4 February 1932)
• Shelton Bricker (~1851 – 23 February 1931)
• Cyrus Bricker (6 May 1855 – 4 April 1925)
• Thomas Rush Bricker (1856 – 22 November 1927)
• Rush Bricker (~1856 – 22 November 1927)
• John Bricker (4 July 1864 – 19 December 1928)

Madora passed away on 21 October 1895 in Richmond, Wayne, Indiana, United States, aged about 35.

In 1860, Madora (1) in Franklin Township, Henry, Indiana, United States. ^[1]

In 1870, Madora was living in Franklin Township, Henry, Indiana. ^[2]

In 1880, Madora was living in household of George Bricker (58) in Jackson Township, Madison, Indiana, United States. Born in Pennsylvania. ^[3]

Madora (27) and John Spencer (1886) were married on 6 August 1887 in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States.

Research Notes

• Richmond Semi-Weekly Telegram, Friday Oct. 4, 1895, page 1, col. 4. "DEATHRelieves the Sufferings of Poor Mrs. Dora Spencer A PATHETIC STORY Burned Out of House and Home in Ohio She Was Wandering to Friends in Anderson When She Meets a Horrible Death.

Mrs. Dora Spencer died at St. Stephens hospital, Wednesday afternoonat three o'clock. The death was truly a horrible one, and her agonies can not be described. With no friend or relative at her death bed she passed from a life of misfortune and poverty into the Great Unseen. Her body was literally cooked from her knees upward. Two holes were burned in her abdomen, and she also inhaled flames. Wednesday at daybreak John Spencer, his wife and two children, a boy and girl, age 13 and 10 respectively, were camped near Sycamore valley school house. They had been burned out of house and home in Brown county, Ohio, just three weeks ago. The family barely escaped with their lives at that time and saved nothing but a few pieces of bedding and articles of clothing. They packed what was left of their household effects and a spring wagon, and started for Anderson where Mrs. Spencer has three brothers, and when they learned that Mr. Spencer, of course, secured employment. At six o'clock Wednesday morning Spencer went to a farm house nearby their camping place, for a bucket of water to prepare breakfast. Just as he was returning, Mrs. Spencer attempted to climb into the wagon and some article and had placed one foot on the hub of the wheel when the wind fanned the flame of the fire against her, igniting her clothing. Her screams attracted the attention of Mrs. Baines and Mattis of Westville, who were on their way to this city. The poor woman rushed toward them, but ere she reached them, her clothing with the exception of her waist was entirely consumed and she fell to the ground unconscious. Her husband, with the assistance of the ladies mentioned, hastily wrapped her body with old comforts, and placed her in the spring wagon and brought her to this city. As soon as possible she was taken to St. Stephen's Hospital and tenderly cared for. But her injuries, augmented by privation, were so severe that death came as a welcome relief. The remains will be held for the orders of her brothers, her husband having very mysteriously disappeared and could not be found at the time of going to press. Trustee Bishop last night notified the brothers of the deceased, asking what disposition shoud be made of the body. No word has been received as yet. The children are in the Home for the Friendless, where they are being cared for. Thus a life of continued misfortune and suffering is ended. She was apparently not in good health and death may be a blessing."

• 'Evening Item, Thursday, Oct. 3, 1895, page 1, column 6, DEATH AND MYSTERY, Mrs. Spencer Dies and Her Husband Disappears.It Cannot be Surmised Why he Should

Leave His Wife in Such a Manner- The Poor Woman Suffered Great Agony, Then Death Released Her -A Sad Affair In Every Particular.'

After suffering great agony for seven or eight hours, Mrs. John Spencer, who was burned yesterday morning, died at St. Stephen's hospital last evening at 4:15 o'clock. The ITEM of yesterday gave an account of the accident which had befallen the poor woman. When an ITEM reported in company with Captain Davis and Patrol-driver Livelsberger, saw he yesterday forenoon she was in the wagon being driven to this city. It was very evident that she was badly burned, but as she was able to talk and tell just how the accident occurred, it did not appear that her injuries were fatal. After being taken to the hospital her injuries were found to be very severe and her entire body was scorched. The abdomen was the most seriously burned portion of her body and she seemed to suffer greatly inwardly. This gave evidence that her burns had extended through the flesh into the vitals.However there was no reason to believe at noon yesterday that she would die, and she lay upon her bed in a perfectly conscious condition.Yesterday afternoon, while being cared for by Matron Shumard, the woman's condition seemed to grow rapidly worse. Her feet and hands began to grow cold and Mrs. Shumard dispatched for the attending physician. The woman died before he arrived. She was about thirty-four years of age and from what she told before her death it is certain her life has been full of hardships and privations. However she stated that her husband had been good to her, although very poor.The body was taken to Downing's undertaking parlors at the order of Trustee Bishop and there it was prepared for burial. When Spencer drove his wife up to the hospital yesterday morning, he assisted in taking her into the institution, and then left saying that he had another child out east of the city where the accident occurred and that he wished to go after him. During the day, while Mrs. Spencer was suffering the most agonizing tortures, the husband never put in an appearance, although the poor woman waited his coming, frequently asking regarding him. Mrs. Shumard asked her if she really believed that he would return and she answered, "Yes, I am sure he will." Why Spencer should have left is a mystery. Last night the police were notified to search for him but he was not found. The little girl who went to the hospital with her mother and who remained by her side until her death, was heart-broken. She is an ignorant child and was clad in such poor garments that her conditions roused much sympathy. Several of the ladies who resided near the hospital and who had called to offer assistance, saw to it that the child was properly taken to the Home for Friendless Women to remain until the father returned or until Mrs. Spencer's relatives at Anderson could be heard from.

• LATER INFORMATION

The ITEM learned this morning that Spencer left the hospital and went to the orphan's home west of the river. he did not find the matron there and to the attendant stated that he had two children in the institution that had been sent from Anderson three years ago. He acted in a very queer manner and the attendant thought him either crazy or drunk. He finally left, as nothing could be told him regarding the children. He was last seen driving west along the pike and it is thought that he perhaps started for Anderson. Trustee Bishop decided that the remains of the woman should be interred this afternoon in the Potter's field at Earlham. The condition of the body makes it impossible for the undertakers to hold it longer and disposition of it was necessary.

• FROM ANDERSON, The ITEM this morning was in communication with the Anderson Bulletin in order to learn something of Spencer and his family.

This afternoon word was received for the Bulletin to the effect that Spencer has no relatives there at all. The Anderson police this morning found another family of Spencers, but they are in no way related to the man inquestion.The dead woman has two brothers in Anderson, Dane and Shelby Rinker. They learned of Mrs. Spencer's death last night, but are too poor to have the remains of their sister taken there for burial, and as above stated, she was buried in the potter's field in this city today."

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
   citing Page: 53; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Digital film/folder number: 005165836; FHL microfilm: 803266; Image number: 57; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01711-1
   FamilySearch Record: M4FR-GSZ (accessed 25 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YBT-PCR
   Madora Bricker (1) in Franklin Township, Henry, Indiana, United States. Born in Indiana.
2. ↑ 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
   citing Page: 5; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 12; Digital film/folder number: 004263389; FHL microfilm: 000545822; Image number: 125; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01431-4
   FamilySearch Record: MXXT-K3J (accessed 25 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-DYCS-262
   Dora Bricker (12) in Franklin Township, Henry, Indiana, United States. Born in Indiana.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 1880 Census: "United States Census, 1880"
   citing Volume: 1; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T9; Affiliate Line Number: 00056; Digital film/folder number: 005157835; FHL microfilm: 1254293; Image number: 262; Sheet number: 129; Sheet letter: D; Indexing batch: C55599-2
   FamilySearch Record: MH9K-T97 (accessed 25 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YB3-XH4
   Dora Bricker (21), single daughter, At Home, in household of George Bricker (58) in Jackson Township, Madison, Indiana, United States. Born in Pennsylvania, United States.

See also:

• Marriage of son Harry Spencer:

"Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992"
citing Digital film/folder number: 004476616; FHL microfilm: 2069411; Record number: 438; Packet letter: A
FamilySearch Record: XFQX-R55 (accessed 25 January 2024)
Dora Bricker's son Harry Spencer marriage to Agnes Ketcham on 31 Jan 1923 in Delaware, Indiana, United States.

• Marriage of son Harry Spencer:

"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019"
citing Page: 438; Digital film/folder number: 004476616_002_M981-65P; FHL microfilm: 002069411; Image number: 256; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: M02986-4
FamilySearch Record: XXTS-JB9 (accessed 25 January 2024)
FamilySearch Image: S3HY-X2M9-NBS

Dora Bricker's son Harry Spencer marriage on 31 Jan 1923 in Delaware, Indiana, United States.