The records of colonial times in Connecticut show that Naaman Spencer's ancestors did good service in the Indian Wars and the Revolution, and it is a matter of history that John Benham came to Boston from England in "Ye goode ship Mary and John" in 1638.
In addition to the members present from many towns and cities in Illinois, there were members present from Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. 132 were seated at the tables, nine of whom were members of the Methodist orchestra of Polo, and three were invited guest, making 119 members present.
Shortly after dinner the business meeting was called. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Elias R. Spencer of Sterling, Ill. was re-elected president and Henry Elsey secretary and treasurer for the ensuing year. A gold badge was presented to Mr. Isaac Spencer as being the oldest member and the silver spoon went to baby Alida M. Hart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hart of Milledgeville. Mrs Fanny Hart is the daughter of Mrs. Eveline Hegeman, who was the daughter of Alanson Spencer who was the son of Naaman and Diantha (Benham) Spencer.
Three members of the Association passed to the life beyond during the year: Allen Benham Spencer and Naaman Spencer of Eagle Point, and Charles Spencer of Milledgeville, Illinois.
The reunion of 1914 was one of the most enjoyable of any in the history of the Association and many members expressed a wish the oncoming generations will continue to gather together annually, not alone to venerate the memory of the loved ones that have passed over the "silent river" we call "death," but to meet with and exchange greetings with those whom we would seldom or never meet when no meeting place or stated time is made known.
The late Henry Dorman voice the views of the members when he said: "I can cut loose from my business for a day and have a glorious good time with the uncles, aunts and cousins, and not be away from home overnight, whereas, if I had to go to each of their homes in order to visit them it would take weeks or months of time and thousands of miles of travel."
But if we may judge by the enthusiasm of the young members of the association there is no cause to fear that the Spencer-Benham Association will discontinue its annual meetings for many years to come.
