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IN ME MORI AM— THOMAS W. 8PUBL0CK. 



(Read and referred March 4, 1884.) 



Thomas W. Spurlock was born in the village of Cedarville, King 

 William county, Virginia, on the 15th of January, 1803. He learned 

 the trade of a shoemaker, and worked at different times in Richmond* 

 Lynchburg and Fredericksburg. He married about 1831, Miss Martha 

 Ann Davis, and in November, 1836, he moved to Cincinnati, where 

 he lived until his death. He followed his trade until about 1850, 

 when he was engaged by Mr. Harwood, of the firm of Marsh & 

 Harwood, to work in their chemical laboratory. He was employed in 

 the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and continued in that department 

 of the works until about twelve years ago, when his advanced age 

 compelled him to give up active labor. From that time he lived with 

 his son in-law, Mr. Henry Ambach, on Mohawk street, till he died, 

 of pneumonia, on the 19th of January, 1884, aged 81 years and 

 4 days. 



Mr. Spurlock's deep love for botanical studies, and his general in- 

 terest in all branches of natural science, together with his contribu- 

 tions to the flora of Cincinnati, entitle him to a notice before this 

 Society. 



As a young man, he was fond of hunting, and in his rambles near 

 his native place developed a love for nature which never relaxed its 

 fervor, and which was as warm in his old age as in middle life. Even 

 in his last hours his mind wandered among the wild flowers and ferns, 

 and planned excursions to catch the first blossoms of the coming 

 season. 



In Virginia he had studied the flora of the region where he was born, 

 and the recollection of the plants he had known there was dear to 

 him. The discovery of a familiar plant was like meeting an old 

 friend, and his face would beam with delight as he displayed his new- 

 found treasure. His companion in his rambles in bygone years was 

 Dr. Thomas Salter, who kept a drug store at the corner of Ludlow 



