The 44th annual Reunion of the Spencer-Benham Association was held at the home of Mrs. Mildred Ethridge at Eagle Point, Illinois on Sunday, June 1st, 1941. According to the register book, there were about 100 members and friends present. The decorating committee arrived early and had the tables decorated with lovely bouquets of flowers by the time the first guests arrived. After a bountiful dinner was served cafeteria style and enjoyed by all, games and contests were played and awarded with small prizes to the children winning. Games of handball and horseshoes entertained the older group. The business meeting was called to order by the president, R. Peterson. Also was the singing of America and saying the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. After that the Lord’s Prayer was repeated. Minutes were read by the secretary and remarks by the president on conditions and our country. A short talk was made by Vice President of Bertha Spencer of Sterling. The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Aunt Myra, the oldest member present said a few words and read a poem. She being the oldest member present, presented the souvenir spoon to the youngest member, Judith Dawn Spencer, daughter of Helen and Eldon Spencer. Eldon is the son of Harry Spencer, who is the son of Jehial Spencer, who is the son of Naaman Spencer, Jr., who is the son of Naaman Spencer, Sr. This little miss represents the 6th generation. Motion was made and carried to hold the reunion at the same place next year. Historian reported deaths of Gabe Sarber on Nov. 23, 1940; Jennie Case on June 9, 1940; David Leslie Druce on Nov. 9, 1940; Orphra Case on April 2, 1941. R. Peterson was reelected President for another year. Mrs. Frank Spencer as Vice President, Grace Peterson as Secretary-Treasurer; and Oleta DePuy as Historian. A request for data on each respective family was asked. The decorating and entertainment committee was appointed as the same. Roll call was taken and all were presented with a souvenir booklet entitles, “I Am an American.” Greetings were read from absent members. A splendid program was presented. Taking part were: Norma, Doris, and Loris Spencer—who sang; Norma and Paul Spencer—a song; Leon Wesley and Nora Irene Woodin—a song; Recitation by Hal Ethridge, Arnola Kramer, and Ransom Woodin; Cornet solo by Gail Spencer; Solos by Phyllis Schreiner, Lois Jean Spencer, and Gene Givens; Baton twirling by Carol and Phyllis Schreiner; Cornet duet by Frank and Gale Spencer; Music by the Spencer Orchestra of Rock Falls. After the program, ice cream and cake were served. Soon after the guests departed for home, carrying with them memories of a pleasant day and with hopes of the 1942 Reunion. Secretary
The Spencer-Benham 45th annual reunion was held at the home of Mrs. Mildred Ethridge at Eagle Point on June 7th, 1942, with an attendance of about 135 relatives and friends. The guests began arriving early with anticipation of having a good time, and by noon the crowd had gathered.
The long tables had been arranged on the lawn with large bowls of flowers by the decorating committee. Dinner was soon served cafeteria style and every one partook of the many good things to eat. The children played games and contests after dinner, while the older folks enjoyed visiting with the folks we hadn’t seen for a while.
The business meeting was called to order by the President, Dick Peterson with all standing to sing the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and repeating the Lord’s Prayer.
Minutes were read of the previous meeting and treasurer’s report read and approved. Oleta DePuy, our historian, gave some interesting facts about our ancestors, the information being obtained though Mrs. Galbraith of Newell, Iowa. We also have a picture of Aunt Diantha Spencer.
As is the custom for years, the youngest member, Randall Dean, was presented with a silver spoon by the Grandmother, Mrs. Forrest Doherty, Forrest being the son of Forrest and Ola Doherty, Sr. The wife is the daughter of Elias Spencer, son of Naaman, Jr.
There were 15 births reported. The oldest members present being Sumner Johnson on the Benham side and Myra Sarber on the Spencer side.
A motion was made and carried that we hold the reunion at Richard and Beulah Schreiner’s place for the ensuing year at Milledgeville.
Election of officers for the year were as follows: President—R. Peterson, Vice President—Bertha Spencer, Secretary-Treasurer—Grace Peterson, Historian—Oleta DePuy, and Decorating Committee—Grace Wooden, Reynolds Wooden, and Beulah Schreiner.
After hearing a few remarks from Forrest Doherty and other members of the family, the collection was taken and the meeting was adjourned and turned over to the entertainment committee. A fine program was presented for the entertainment and joy of all.
The day was concluded with ice cream and cake being served to all. Soon after, friends and relatives departed for their respective homes.
Grace Peterson
The 46th annual Spencer-Benham reunion was held June 6th, 1943 at the Richard and Beulah Schreiner home in Milledgeville. The President, Dick Peterson, being absent, the Vice President, Bertha Spencer conducted the business meeting. She appointed Mildred Elsey Weigle, Secretary and Treasurer to act for Grace Spencer Peterson. All present stood while they sang our national hymn, America, repeated the Lord’s Prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
After a few remarks from Mrs. Spencer who brought greetings from the President and Secretary, the minutes of the previous year were read and approved. Historian, Oleta Spencer DePuy, reported the following deaths since the last reunion: Mrs. Pearl Spencer Walker, Mrs. Clarinda Elsey, Ed Layton, Duane Woodin, Lewis Spencer, Corp. Forrest Engle, Jane Edith Ruby. Eight births were recorded: daughter to Kathrine and Evan Strauch; son to Dorothy (Hunt) and Eugene Volk, daughter Carol Sue to Floyd and Myrtle Spencer, son to Harriet (Spencer) and Guy Bender, son Terry to Helen and Eldon Spencer, child to Edna and Foster Deets, son to Jake and Pearl Hart, child to Betty Belle (Bender) and ?.
An incomplete list of relatives serving in World War II: Wayne Spencer, Harold Spencer, Glenn Bruns, Harry Hunt, George Hunt, Teddy Baker (adopted son of Romelia and Fred Baker), ? Bushman, ? Bushman, Lieut. Barton Baker, Lieut. Martin Deets, Ruth Crombie.
The oldest member of the Benham family present was C. Sumner Johnson, and Myra Spencer Sarber was the oldest Spencer present. The youngest member to be present and who received the silver spoon was Carol Sue, daughter of Myrtle and Floyd Spencer. Myrtle is the daughter of Berta and the late Bert Spencer. Bertha is the daughter of Sumner Johnson, his mother was a Benham. Bert Spencer was the son of Elmer Spencer, who was the son of Lucinda Jenkins, who was the daughter of Naaman and Diantha Spencer.
It was decided to continue holding the reunion! It had previously been suggested that the reunion be dis-continued for the duration.
A motion was made by Beulah Schreiner and seconded by Myra Sarber that the same officers be retained for the following year. The motion carried. The presiding officer declared the following elected for 1944: Richard Peterson, President; Grace Peterson, Secretary and Treasurer; Oleta Spencer DePuy, Historian. After some discussion is was voted to hold the reunion the first Sunday in July at the Frank Spencer home.
The motion was made by Hazel Bruns and seconded by Bertha Spencer that the Historian be given the privilege of buying a book in which to write the family history, so as to keep a record of the boys and girls in the service and also to copy items of interest from the “old book” relative to past and present generations.
It was moved by Klea Deets and seconded by Frank Spencer that the bills for the day be allowed, including the purchase of the Historian’s book and the hauling of the table to the next meeting place. The motion carried. The collection was taken amounting to $11.02.
As it started to rain, the meeting adjourned to the house where a short impromptu program was given.
Mildred Elsey Weigle
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