Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Spencer, Herbert W 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 28, 2008, 11:00 pm

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Herbert W. Spencer, superintendent of the Bessemer department of the Illinois 
Steel Company at the Joliet works, came to Will county in 1863 and since 1860 
has made his home in Illinois. He has remained in this county continuously 
save for a period of six years—from 1881 until 1887. His parents were Simeon 
and Sophia (Stone) Spencer, both of whom were natives of Vermont. They came to 
Bureau county, Illinois, over a half century ago, locating first at Mendota, 
and for some time the father was engaged in farming in Clarion township. In 
1864, however, he removed to a farm on section 30, Troy township, Will county, 
where he remained until 1881 and in that year removed to Huron, South Dakota, 
where he resided until 1887. He then returned to Joliet, where he died in 
1892, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow still survives him and is 
living with her son Herbert at the age of eighty years. The other members of 
the family are Mrs. Alma J. Blodgett, of Joliet; Mrs. I. M. Lish, of Saunemin, 
Illinois; and O. L. Spencer, who died in Joliet in 1892. He was superintendent 
of the Bessemer plant for ten years and had been connected therewith since the 
establishment of the plant in 1872. Herbert W. Spencer was reared in Will 
county and after acquiring his early education in the public schools was for a 
time a student at a normal school. His connection with the steel works covers 
a period of two decades. In 1887 he became an employe at the plant, starting 
in a very humble capacity and working steadily upward to his present 
responsible position. He became successively foreman, night superintendent and 
superintendent, acting in the latter capacity during the past seven years. In 
this connection he has under his direction between four and five hundred 
workmen. He is well qualified for the responsibility that devolves upon him, 
having thoroughly mastered the business in principle and detail, so that he is 
able to direct the labors of others. Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah T. Hall, of Morris, Illinois, and they have four children: Mrs. 
Hattie Brewster of Joliet; Frances, who is now a nurse in the Hahnemann 
hospital in Chicago; Cyril, who is attending school in Joliet; and Arline, ten 
years of age, also a student in the public schools. The family home is 
pleasantly located at the corner of Benton and Herkimer streets. They attend 
the Baptist church and Mr. Spencer is connected with the Masons, having 
attained the Knight Templar degree in Joliet commandery. Politically he is an 
earnest republican and is now serving as a member of the high school board. He 
has also been assistant supervisor and is deeply interested in political 
questions and the outcome of elections that the adoption of republican 
principles may be secured. He is reliable and enterprising in business and 
whatever success he has achieved may be attributed entirely to his own 
efforts. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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