Spunaugle Exchange

Spunaugle Exchange

William Sponaugle/Spunaugle, 1814-1888

It is known that William Spunaugle, 1814-1888, was born in Pendleton County, Virginia, and his family Bible states his birthdate as March 17, 1814. He was the youngest of six children of Balsor Sponaugle and Sarah. His mother's maiden name is not known with certainty. The above photograph of William was possibly as early as the late 1850's, or as late as around 1875. The original photo was in the possession of his granddaughter, Birdie Hill, and was copied and restored in the 1960's by his great-grandson, Ervin Ralph Spunaugle. Another copy of this same photo was with old family photos owned by Izola Laub Williams, a great-granddaughter.

William and his wife and children moved to Randolph County VA/WV in the 1830's, and then to Lewis County VA/WV in about 1844. In 1860 he was found in McDonough County, Illinois, by the census enumerator but he returned to Lewis County, West Virginia, for a few years before moving to Tarkio Township, Page County, Iowa, before 1870 where he spent the final years of his life.

He was married three times: in 1834 he married Jemima Maria Waybright, daughter of Daniel Waybright (1791-1871) and Rachel Arbogast (abt. 1790-1879); after Jemima's death, he married Margaret Galford in 1860; and after Margaret's death, he married Rebecca Pugh in 1868. Unfortunately, Rebecca died in 1879; William outlived all three of his wives.

For a brief three-generation genealogy of the descendants of William Spunaugle 1814-1888, click here.

Although the spelling "Sponaugle" is used by other descendants of Balsor Sponaugle, the "Spunaugle" spelling began appearing as early as the 1840 census, and since Willliam's three sons who served in the Civil War had the "Spunaugle" spelling on their Union Army discharge papers, the "u" spelling was adopted permanently by this family branch.

Caroline Lyles has posted a number of contributed photographs of William's family on her genealogy site:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/2056/wmspun.html

To return to the index, click here.