The seventh annual reunion of the Spencer-Benham
Association took place at the home of Mrs. Clarinda Case in
Eagle Point, Illinois, on Thursday, September 1, 1904.
Early in the day the sky was overcast and rain fell but the
clouds rolled away and the sun dried the lawn and it proved
to be a glorious day for the rally of the clans. Relatives
were present from Polo, Lanark, Chadwick, Milledgeville,
Oregon, Hazelhurst, Eagle Point, Hitt, Fremont, Canada
Settlement, Freeport, Rockford, Barnes City, Iowa; and
Lafayette, Colorado.
The dining tables were placed under the maples and were
loaded with rations enough for twice the number present and
that to of a quality which showed great culinary skill. The
day passed with visiting, ball playing, music and song. Mrs.
Fred Madison of Colorado who had been singing at the St.
Louis Fair, gave the assembly a rare treat by singing two
songs and all who heard her hope to hear her again at future
reunions. Mrs. Benjamin Duffy and son, Mason, sang "My Aine
Country" which was well received. Miss Ola Spencer of
Rockford also rendered some fine music.
E.R. Spencer of Rockford was elected president and Henry
Elsey of Hazelhurst, secretary for the ensuing year. The time
of holding the next reunion will be made known by cards and
through the newspapers.
The secretary read a letter from Junius N. and Julius H.
Benham of Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are twins, 87 years
of age on July 8th, last. They could not be present at the
reunion owing to their great age and the long distance which
intervenes, but they send greetings and a hearty "God bless
you all!"
It is the custom each to present the youngest member of the
family that is present a silver spoon. This year the
souvenir spoon was given to Miss Romelia Fern Spencer,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Spencer of Hitt. The little
Miss is four months old. "Joe" Wood of Milledgeville regrets
that he did not know that such a ceremony was in vogue.
The following list of those present is copied from the
register; H. Elsey and wife, Hazelhurst; L.B. Fosdick and
wife, Mrs. Emeline Russell, L. Spencer and wife, J. C.
Eastabrooks and family, A. J. Wood and wife, Matie, Beulah,
Clara and John Hubbard, Nora Chaffee, Bessie Chaffee, Mrs.
Emma Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spencer, Ralph Coffey,
Milledgeville;
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Booth and children, Oregon; Mr. and Mrs.
C. N. Ormsbee, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Duffy and son, Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Woodin and children, A. B. Spencer and wife, Allen
Elsey and wife, Porter Ormsbee, wife and children, Chas. H.,
Fannie, Klea, Celia and Romelia Fern Spencer, Mr. and Mrs.
Wesley Schriner, Dennis Schriner, Mrs. Alice Lindemann, Mr.
and Mrs. John Riggs and children, Dr. J. I. Krebbs and wife,
Willis Ripley, Naaman Spencer, Isaac Spencer and wife, Willis
Davison and wife, Dallas Davison, Elmer, Clarinda, Orpha and
Luke Case, Polo;
E. W., Anna and Geo, Schrock, Henry S., Myra and Theron
Marks, Joseph, Grace, and Harry Ingles, Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
Diehl, Geo. Dimon, Hannah Dimon, Julia Sword, Anna Sword,
Chas. Woodin, wife and children, Lanark;
Mr. and Mrs. E. Dale, Evelyn, Spencer, Luman and Fanny
Hagerman, Chadwick; Henry Dorman and wife, Mr. and Mrs. A.
Myers and son, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Frisbee, Mr. and Mrs. S.
W. Spencer, Emma, Marvin and Alvin Spencer, Freeport; E. R.
Spencer, Ola Spencer, Rockford; Mrs. Bertha Spencer and
children, Barnes, Iowa.
There were three deaths during the past year, being Mrs.
Anna Spencer of Chadwick, Mrs. Ellen Root and Mrs. Luna Boyle
of Lanark.
