Grundy-Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Spencer, Herbert W November 15, 1860 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 4:12 am

Author: Gen/Bio Record Will Co IL 1900

Herbert W. Spencer, assistant superintendent of the converting department of 
the Illinois Steel Company, was born in Bureau County, Ill., November 15, 
1860, a son of Simeon and Sophia (Stone) Spencer, natives of Windham County, 
Vt. His father, who learned the millwright’s trade in youth, came to Illinois 
in 1857 and settled near Mendota, where he engaged in carpentering and 
building. When the first call came for volunteers in the service of the Union 
at the opening of the Civil war he responded and enlisted to fight in defense 
of the stars and stripes, serving in Company K, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, 
until the expiration of the period of enlistment.

In 1864 he settled on section 30, Troy Township, Will County, where he cleared 
a fine farm from the raw prairie. He resided on that place until 1882, when he 
removed to Huron, S. Dak., and embarked in farm pursuits near that town. 
Returning to Illinois in 1887 he settled in Joliet where he lived retired 
until his death, five years later, at the age of seventy-three years. 
Fraternally he was a Mason. His wife, who is still living in Joliet, was a 
daughter of Elijah Stone, a farmer in Vermont, but who died in Massachusetts; 
he married Anna Gilbert, who was a member of a Connecticut family. The family 
of Simeon Spencer comprised two daughters and two sons, namely: Mrs. Alma 
Blodgett, of Joliet; Orsamus L.; Carrie, wife of I. M. Lish, of Livingston 
County, Ill.; and Herbert W. The older son became an employe of the Illinois 
Steel Company in 1872, and after a time was promoted to be night 
superintendent of the converting department, which position he was holding at 
the time of his death in 1892. He was active in local affairs and represented 
the first ward on the board of aldermen. In Masonry he attained the Knight 
Templar degree.

On the home farm in Troy Township the subject of this sketch passed the years 
of his boyhood. For a time he attended the college at Morris, Ill. When the 
family removed to South Dakota in 1882 he accompanied them and engaged in the 
real-estate and building business at Huron. For three years he was supervisor 
of Lake Byron Township. In 1887 he came to Joliet and entered the converting 
department of the Joliet (later the Illinois) Steel Company, where for five 
years his work was that of lining ladles. In 1893 he was made foreman of the 
department and in 1896 was promoted to be night superintendent, which position 
he has since filled.

In Newton, Kans., November 19, 1879, Mr. Spencer married Miss Sarah T. Hall, 
who was born in Morris, Ill., a daughter of Samuel T. and Abigail (Merrill) 
Hall. Her grandfather, Dr. Archibald Hall, a graduate of medicine, practiced 
successfully for years in Connecticut, where he died. Her father removed from 
Connecticut to Illinois in 1844, being one of the earliest settlers of Morris, 
where he carried on a grocery business. His wife was born in New York state 
and died there while visiting relatives. They were the parents of two 
daughters: Hattie, who is the wife of P. M. Jeffries, of Janesville, Wis.; and 
Sarah P., Mrs. Spencer. The latter graduated from Mount Carroll Seminary and 
afterward, until her removal to Kansas, engaged in educational work in Grundy 
and Kendall Counties. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have four children, namely, Hattie 
S., Frances O., G. Cyril and Arline S.

As a member of the township and county central committees of the Republican 
party, Mr. Spencer has been active in local politics. From 1889 to 1893 he 
served as. assistant supervisor, meantime being chairman of the committee on 
the assessment of city lots and a member of other committees. At the time of 
the rebuilding of the jail and the building of the administration hail he 
served as secretary of the committee having the work in charge. He was made a 
Mason in Minooka, Ill., in 1880, and is now connected with Mount Joliet Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M. Interested in everything tending to promote the interests of 
workingmen, he has been active in labor organizations. He was at one time a 
member of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, and served 
for several terms as president of Mutual Lodge No. 12. For three years he held 
office as deputy vice-president of the fourth district, embracing Illinois, 
Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri. He was president of the Trades 
and Labor Council of Joliet for one term, and a member of the council for 
several terms.

Source: "Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County, Illinois", 1900, 
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, Pages 368-369


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