Robert Thomas Spencer (1861 - 1927)

Born 17 May 1861 in Curryglass, County Cork, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Julia Agnes (Sullivan) Spencer — married 18 Feb 1883 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Sep 1927 at age 66 in Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jerry Kenney [send private message]

Biography

Robert Thomas Spencer was born in Curryglass, Rossmacowen, Cork Ireland in May 1861 to Thomas Spencer Margaret Harrington. Robert was the oldest child of eight. He arrived in America through the Port of Boston in May of 1880 at the age of 18 and went directly to Lowell Massachusetts where he went to work at Boot Mill.

He married Julia Agnes Sullivan (1860-1947) in Lowell. The family went to Malden Massachusetts and later settled in Woburn Massachusetts. Robert and Julia Spencer had nine children over twenty-one years, and they lived for many years on Winn Street in Woburn Massachusetts.

Robert Spencer worked at the Woburn Water Works for many years (see story below) and was a popular and colorful citizen of Woburn during his life. After a storied and successful career at the Water Department, Robert retired in 1920.

When Robert T Spencer died in 1927, he left his wife and nine children and twenty-two grandchildren. He was member of the Foresters of America and Division 3 of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians in Woburn MA. He rests in Calvary Cemetery in Winchester Massachusetts in his Spencer family plot.

Sources

Vital Records and The Kenney Family Tree.

Standard Certificate of Death, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City of Woburn, County of Middlesex, Sept 20, 1927, Registered No. 1114, copy obtained from Woburn City Clerk, 2014, shows wife and parents of Robert T Spencer.

From the Woburn Daily Times February 1921 Special Section on Leading Men of Woburn, MA (transcript)

"Robert T. Spencer was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1862. He emigrated to America at the age of 18 years. His education was practically received before leaving his native home. On May 15, 1880 he landed in Boston and proceeded at once to Lowell, Mass., expecting to locate there. His first work in America was in a dye house at Lowell, working there a few months. He then worked a short time in a coal yard, all this time trying to decide what line of work would be best for him to follow. Finally, he decided to go to the mills where he secured a position at the Boott Mills in Lowell, receiving one dollar and 10 cents for a days work. Being of an ambitious nature, he decided he must find work wherein he could receive more pay. Leaving Lowell, he went to Malden Mass. and went to work in a rubber shop for a short period, when he secured employment from the City of Malden in the Water Works Dept. After several years there, the superintendent of the Water Works in Woburn Mass. sent for him. On his arrival here (woburn) they could not come to a satisfactory agreement - Mr. Spencer returned to Malden. In 1888, the superintendent of Woburn Water Works again asked him to come to Woburn. This time a satisfactory agreement was reached and Mr. Spencer began his career in the Water Works of this City.

He was an employee of this dept. until 1900, when he was made Superintendent - a position he filled until December 24, 1920, having rounded out 33 years of faithful service for Woburn. After coming to this country, Mr. Spencer knew his limited education was going to be a handicap in his endeavors to succeed and a short time in night school while in Lowell Mass. was taken. He was a faithful man to his duties, knowing no set hours from eary morning to late evening to all hours of the night. When occasion demanded it, Mr. Spencer would be on the job. He knew the layout of the city so well, when it was asked of him about any section of the City, without the use of maps or charts, he could tell off hand just where connections could be made. In 1883 he married Julia A. Sullivan, a native of Ireland. They have reared 9 children, all living in Woburn. He is a member of the A.O.H. and American Order of Foresters. Their home is 87 Winn Street, Woburn."