John W. Spitler
Files
Title
John W. Spitler
Subject
Spitler, John W. (1862-1928)
Description
Photograph of John W. Spitler with a mustache and standing beside a bench.
He was born in Liberty Furnace, the step-son of Eli Spitler and son of Elizabeth (Fadley) Spitler.
He married in August 1887. His bride was Virginia “Jennie” Victoria Wiltz (some records say “Wilt” or “Willet”) (1865-1926), a daughter of Samuel and Lydia Wiltz. She was born in Stony Creek.
In 1910, the census found him in the Stonewall District of Shenandoah County, with his wife and three children: Lula M. (Spitler) McClanahan Cunningham (ca 1893- ), Clarence Emmert (1901-1965) and Laura Viginia (Spitler) Neff (1902-1979). Four additional children had died. He worked for the railroad.
Ten years later, in January 1920, the family lived in the Johnson District and John worked as a farmer on his own farm (that was paid off). His oldest daughter had left home by then and his son, Clarence, worked on the railroad.
At some point after, he and his family moved to Oranda (near Strasburg), where they lived for many years. His wife’s obituary, published in the Strasburg News on May 20, 1926, noted that she would be missed by her many friends. The funeral took place at the Walnut Springs Church in Oranda.
John died not long after this photograph was taken, in 1928.
Both he and his wife are buried in Toms Brook.
The name, “John W. Spitler”, is written on the glass negative of this image.
He was born in Liberty Furnace, the step-son of Eli Spitler and son of Elizabeth (Fadley) Spitler.
He married in August 1887. His bride was Virginia “Jennie” Victoria Wiltz (some records say “Wilt” or “Willet”) (1865-1926), a daughter of Samuel and Lydia Wiltz. She was born in Stony Creek.
In 1910, the census found him in the Stonewall District of Shenandoah County, with his wife and three children: Lula M. (Spitler) McClanahan Cunningham (ca 1893- ), Clarence Emmert (1901-1965) and Laura Viginia (Spitler) Neff (1902-1979). Four additional children had died. He worked for the railroad.
Ten years later, in January 1920, the family lived in the Johnson District and John worked as a farmer on his own farm (that was paid off). His oldest daughter had left home by then and his son, Clarence, worked on the railroad.
At some point after, he and his family moved to Oranda (near Strasburg), where they lived for many years. His wife’s obituary, published in the Strasburg News on May 20, 1926, noted that she would be missed by her many friends. The funeral took place at the Walnut Springs Church in Oranda.
John died not long after this photograph was taken, in 1928.
Both he and his wife are buried in Toms Brook.
The name, “John W. Spitler”, is written on the glass negative of this image.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
Labelled "March 1927" on box of plates.
Contributor
Biographical information was compiled from public sources.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Identifier
010211
Original Format
Glass Negative
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “John W. Spitler,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed March 16, 2026, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/34652.
Comments