Elizabeth Hurst was the daughter of Joseph Hurst and Rhoda McNew, and the grand-daughter of John "Mill Creek" Hurst. She was born in 1833 in Washington County, Virginia, and died after 1902, probably in Wymore, Gage County, Nebraska. She appears in the 1850 census of Washington Co., VA

Elizabeth married (1) Carey Spriggs (1826VA-1897VA) about 1852 in Virginia or Missouri. Carey served in the Confederate States Army, Company F, 63rd Virginia Infantry. Elizabeth divorced Carey about 1855 and appears single, with her son Joseph Spriggs in the 1856 Iowa State Census, in West Liberty Twp., Mills County.

• Joseph Spriggs (1854MO-aft1920NE)

Elizabeth married (2) David Halfacre (1815TN-1871IL) about 1858, possibly in Fremont Co., IA. They appear together in the 1860 census in Scott Township, Fremont Co., IA. David died in October of 1871 in Richland Co., IL, leaving Elizabeth with 5 children. Only her second daughter, Louisa, appears to have stayed in Illinois.

• Nevada Ann Halfacre (1859IA-aft1917MO) - md William Henry Johnson (1858IA-aft1917MO).
• Louisa R. Halfacre (1862IA- ) - md Jacob S. Geisler (1852IL- ) in 1875 in Lawrence County, Illinois. Jacob was the son of Jacob S. Geisler, born 1830 in Bavaria, Germany.
  • Harley Geisler (1879IL- )
• William Halfacre (1867IL- NE) - md Hattie Sturdiman (1868IA- NE)

Elizabeth married (3) Reason Ruark Sr. (1797OH-1874IL) in 1872 in Olney, Richland County, Illinois. Reason was 75 years of age, and Elizabeth was 39. When Reason died less than 2 years later, she inherited 1/3 of his large estate.

• Emma Jane Ruark (1874IL- ) - md Mr. Wonderlich (1870- ). Emma received $500 from her father's will.
  • Ethel M. Wonderlich (1890NE- )
  • Grace Wonderlich (1892NE- )
  • Beulah H. Wonderlich (1894NE- )

Elizabeth can be found in the 1880 census of Bonfas Twp., Richland Co., IL, and the 1885 and 1900 Census of Wymore, Gage County, Nebraska.

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