It Sits Well With My Soul was written by Horatio Spafford (1828-1888). A prominent Chicago lawyer, whose business was thriving. He was an accomplished man owning several properties. He was married and have 5 children 4 daughters and 1 son.
Horatio Goertner Spafford died 1871
Anna “Annie” born June 11, 1862 died November 22, 1873
Margaret Lee “Maggie” born May 31, 1864 died November 22, 1873
Elizabeth “Bessie” born June 19, 1868 died November 22, 1873
Tanetta born July 24, 1871 died November 22, 1873
He did not lead a semi charmed kind of life. He and his wife suffered the tragic loss of their son to scarlet fever at a young age. The family was next hit with the loss of almost all of his properties in the Great Chicago Fire. Then in 1873 while on a boating trip to Europe his daughters died when the S.S. Ville du Havre wrecked. He received a telegram “Saved alone.” His wife Anna was the sole survivor of his family. While he and his wife were on the sea that had taken the lives of his daughters he began to create this hymn.
