Ruth Harriet Mott

   FamilySearch ID: 9KZJ-X4S.

  General Notes:

During her high school years and following Ruth was active in The Epworth League, a Methodist young adult association. During her college years she worked several summers at Epworth Heights, a Methodist retreat/resort in Ludington, Michigan.
She graduated from Neenah High School with her brother Robert in June of 1930 and was hired as an kindergarten assistant at Roosevelt school the following July. She played the piano, taking part in a recitals following her graduation from high school. She graduated from Lawrence University in 1935, marrying Rev. William Spicer that same year. After her marriage she was enrolled in Lawrence as a "special student" taking classes that would enable her to graduate with a BA in 1937.
At her wedding she wore the gown worn by her mother 25 years earlier. Miss Althea Coy, who would later become her sister-in-law, was her maid of honor.
By the late 1940s Ruth fell ill with intermittent chronic depression which the doctors at the time did not know how to treat. She committed suicide in 1960 at the age of 48.

  Research Notes:

Hearthstone: according to Sally, Ruth lived at Hearthstone while she was in college working for a family named Pierce. According to the Hearthstone webpage the house changed hands nine times after 1893 and in the 1930s was a restaurant when it got its name because of the nine fireplaces.

City Directory shows the Harriman's living at 625 W. Prospect in 1936 & 1938;
Two females, Rose Catlin and Minnie Fleith and William Priest in 1930;
Judith Pierce, a student, lived at 625 W. Prospect in 1951.
(Search Ancestry.com City Directories with 625 Prospect exact - some results for the 1920s.)

Appleton Post Crescent, 05 Oct 1939, page 19 the "Old Priest Residence Sold to Menasha Man" - "...the home formerly housed The Hearthstone..." Purchased from the Albert W. Priest estate, et al. by Fred Hoffman. Hoffman took occupancy as he is listed there in March 1940.
07 Jan 1930 Mrs. A.W.Priest Dies at residence. 07 Feb 1940 "10 years Ago" column A.W.Priest died 5 Feb 1930.

Not listed as a restaurant in the 1932 CD business directory section.

  Events

• Education. Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisc

• residence: 116 Drew Street, 10 May 1940, Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wisconsin. ¹²²

• residence: 422 Kirk Ave, 6 Apr 1950, Syracuse, Onondaga, NY. ¹²¹

Ruth married Rev. William James Spicer, son of Henry Spicer II and Anabel Thurston, 17 Sep 1935 in St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Menasha, WI. (Rev. William James Spicer was born 22 Oct 1904 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., MN, died 26 Jan 1984 in Oshkosh, Winnebago Co., WI and was buried in Oshkosh, Winnebago Co., WI.)

  Marriage Notes:

The maid of honor was Miss Althea Coy, who would later marry Ruth's brother Robert. The best man was Henry Spicer, Jr.