The 49th annual reunion of the Spencer-Benham family was held July
7th, 1946 at the Frank Spencer home south of Coleta.
About 70 relatives from Polo, Milledgeville, Dixon, Rock Falls,
Sterling, Rockford, Thomson, Shannon, Savanna, Sabula, Iowa, Pine
River, Minn., and Racine, Wis. were present to partake of the
bountiful picnic dinner.
The business meeting was conducted by the president, Richard
Petersen, and other officers, Mrs. Frank Spencer, vice president,
Grace Spencer Peterson, secretary and treasurer; and Oleta Spencer De
Puy, historian assisting in the various reports.
A letter was read from Mrs. Candace Shook, 90 years old, of Newell,
Iowa, the oldest living Spencer of the western branch of the family,
also from others who were unable to attend. The oldest Spencer
present was Mrs. Elmira Spencer Sarber, who presented the youngest
member Joseph Arthur Eirhart (sic), 8 weeks old, with a silver spoon;
he is of the 7th generation.
Mrs, Nora Zuck Woodin of Shannon was the oldest Benham present, Three
deaths, seven marriages, eight births was reported occurring during
the past year.
Plans were made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Spencer-
Benham reunion in 1947, the first reunion was held Sept. 22, 1897, at
the old Spencer homestead at Eagle Point, Ill.
Officers elected fro 1947 are, President, Wesley Sarber; vice
president, Beulah Schriener; secretary-treasurer, Beth Sarber, all of
Milledgeville. Oleta De Puy of Sterling was again appointed historian;
program committee, Wayne, Hal, and Lowell Spencer and the meeting to
be held at the Frank Spencer Home, the 1st Sunday in July.
Mrs. Wm. Hunt, son Ted and daughter Alice of Pine River, Minn., came
the longest distance.
Mrs. Rebecca Spencer of Rock Falls had the largest group of
descendants present.
Four ex-service men, Wayne and Harold Spencer, Ted and Harry Hunt was
welcomed back from various branches of the service.
An enjoyable musical program was given by the young people,
consisting of Floyd and Chas. Spencer children and Wayne and Harold
Spencer of Rock Falls. Ice cream and cake was served in the late
afternoon.
