Warren S. Spencer, interested in general farming on section 11, Pleasant Vale township, is a native of Derry township, Pike county, born on the 22d of January, 1856, his parents being Franklin and Luretta (Pursley) Spencer. The father, a native of Kentucky, removed from that state to Missouri and subsequently came to Pike county, where he died July 25, 1856, when his son Warren was but five months old. He had followed farming in Derry township, having settled on three hundred and twenty acres of land when it was a wild timbered region. He had just began clearing his land when his life's labors were ended in death. Wild animals were very numerous in this part of the county at that time, and many hardships and trials incident to pioneer life were to be endured. Two sons survived the father's death: Thomas J., who was born in 1847, and is now living on the old homestead in Derry township; and Warren S., of this review. After losing her first husband Mrs. Spencer became the wife of Joseph Turnbaugh, of Martinsburg township, where he died in November, 1886. Mrs. Turnbaugh is now living in Pittsfield in the enjoyment of a hale and hearty old age, having attained her eighty-first year on the 31st of July, 1905. There was one son of her second marriage, William B. Turnbaugh, of St. Louis.

Warren S. Spencer was reared in Derry and Martinsburg townships, acquiring his education in the public schools of the latter. He started out in life on his own account at the age of seventeen years and worked as a farm hand until he had attained his majority, after which he gave his attention to the cultivation and improvement of the old homestead, which he inherited. He lived upon that place until the spring of 1883, when he sold his property in Derry township, and bought one hundred and fifty acres of land, where he now resides, having made his home thereon continuously since. In addition to tilling the soil he raises and feeds considerable stock, making a specialty of feeding hogs for the market. He also raises shorthorn cattle; and both branches of his business are proving profitable. His farm is a fine property, located on the bluffs and on the river bottoms, and he has erected here an attractive country residence and substantial barn. None of the improvements of a model farm are lacking and all the evidences of careful supervision and practical management are here seen.

On the 21st of November, 1878, Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Belle Wheelan, who was born in Pleasant Vale township, January 25. 1860. She is a daughter of James and Isabelle (Brown) Wheelan. Her father was born in Ireland in 1837 and came to St. Louis, Missouri, with his mother in 1848. He was a son of Richard and Mary (Scully) Wheelan; and the former died in 1846, after which the mother crossed the Atlantic with her son, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which was six weeks and four days upon the bosom of the Atlantic before dropping anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. They remained in St. Louis until 1855, when Mr. Wheelan came to Pike county, and entered the employ of Horace Palmer, a blacksmith. Later he followed the same pursuit on his own account in New Canton until 1873, when he turned his attention to farming, and in 1877 he took up his abode upon a farm, which he had purchased in 1870, and on which he has resided continuously since. He has here two hundred and forty acres of fine land on section 1, Pleasant Vale township, improved with a beautiful home and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He was married in 1857 to Miss Isabelle Brown, a native of Ireland, and of their seven children, four are yet living, namely: Mary, the wife of John Kendrick, of Pleasant Vale township; Mrs. Spencer; William, who resides with his father, having lost his wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Brammel, and who at her death left three children: John B., James S, and George S.; James G., who also lives with his father. He married Anna Hoverland, who has departed this life. One daughter, Ella, became the wife of John Lax, and at her death left a son, Alexander H. Rebecca married Ed. Fesler, and both are now deceased. They left two children, James W. and Ella W. Richard was the other member of the Wheelan family. The mother died in 1873 and in 1877 Mr. Wheelan married Eliza Brown. He is a democrat and a Royal Arch Mason.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have no children of their own, but have reared two of Mrs. Spencer's nephews, John B. and George S. Wheelan. In political views, he is a stalwart democrat, but without aspiration for office. Fraternally he belongs to Barry lodge, No. 336, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past noble grand; and he is likewise affiliated with the encampment. His membership relations also extend to the Knights of Pythias lodge at New Canton; and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. In 1886 they went to California, spending the year in that sunny clime for the benefit of Mr. Spencer's health. He has been quite successful in his business operations; and his farm is well located, while the cultivation an improvement he has bestowed upon it have made it a valuable property.

Contributed by Roger Cramer from "Past and Present of Pike County IL Pg 335-336"