Amos Spencer (1921 - 1921)

Born 13 Aug 1921 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, U.S.A

Ancestors

Died 14 Aug 1921 at age 0 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, U.S.A.

Biography

Note

Note: Bio notes: Twin of Allen Spencer

BIRTH, MARRIAGE, & DEATH RECORDS

Charlevoix Co., Michigan, Marriage Book 1, page 439: William C. Spencer (age 26; occupation fireman; born Montcalm Co., Michigan; parents William John Spencer & Etta Pratt) & Gertrude Hopkins (age 20; occupation housemaid; father, Herbert Hopkins); married 8 Nov 1900 in Charlevoix, Michigan, by H. A. Smith, Baptist Minister; witnesses, Amos N. Hopkins & Miss Bertha M. Jolliffe, both residing Charlevoix, Michigan.

(obituary) William Clarence SPENCER, 57 years of age, of 44 West Grand Circle, died of sugar diabetes at Nichols Hospital, Battle Creek, Michigan, Saturday [4 Apr 1931] at 6:33 p.m. He leaves his widow, Gertrude; four sons; Harry Spencer of Lansing; Grant, Paul and Byron Spencer all at home; three daughters Mary Spencer at home, Mrs W.E. Himebaugh of Battle Creek and Mrs P.G. Smith of Augusta, Kansas; two sisters, Mrs Lila Spencer of Everett, and Mrs. Minnie Beeler of Seattle, both of Washington State. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from Hebble's Chapel with Rev. A. A. Geiger in charge. [William was buried in the family plot, Adams cemetery, Burr Oak, Branch County, Michigan. This cemetery is located on Smoker Road, 1 mile north of US 12 in southwest Branch County.]

(obituary or memorial card) Died Thursday 2 January 1974, age 94, of 6862 H. Drive South, Battle Creek, Michigan. She died in the American Legion Hospital at Battle Creek, Michigan. In Loving Memory of Gertrude Ellen Hopkins Spencer, birth date 17 December 1879. Entered into rest 2nd January 1974. Services will be held 9:30 AM, 5 January 1974. Spencer Funeral Home, Athens, Michigan. Clergyman Rev. Don Price, Organist Gloria Spencer, Internment Adams Cemetery, family plot, Burr Oak, Smoker Rd., Branch County, Michigan. Pall Bearers, Grandsons, Douglas H. Spencer [s/o Harry]; William C. Spencer III [s/o Paul]; Grant E. Spencer II [s/o Grant]; Arthur W. Himebaugh [s/o Etta]; James L. Ball [s/o Mary]; Glen R. Roby, Grand Son-in-law [Mary's son-in-law].

CENSUS RECORDS

1910 census, Union, Kingman Co., Kansas: Clarence Spencer, 36-M-MI/MI/MI married once, married 10 years Gertrude Spencer, 30-F-KS/MI/PA wife, married once, 6 children, 5 living Elizabeth Spencer, 8-F-MI/MI/KS daughter Harry Spencer, 7-M-MI/MI/KS son Carrolton Spencer, 6-M-MI/MI/KS son Martha E. Spencer, 4-F-MI/MI/KS daughter Herbert Spencer, 2-M-MI/MI/KS son

1915 state census, Kingman Co., Kansas: W. C. Spencer, 41-M-MI laborer, to Kansas from Michigan Gertrude Spencer, 35-F-KS, to Kansas from Kansas E. M. Spencer, 13-F-MI, to Kansas from Michigan H. R. Spencer, 12-M-MI, to Kansas from Michigan C. M. Spencer, 11-M-MI, to Kansas from Michigan E. M. Spencer, 8-F-MI, to Kansas from Michigan H. Spencer, 6-M-MI, to Kansas from Michigan G. E. Spencer, 4-M-KS, to Kansas from Kansas Paul Spencer, 2-M-WV retired to KS from IL [this info belongs with next entry]

1920 census, Walnut, Butler Co., Kansas: William Spencer, 46-M-MI/U.S./MI pumper, oil field Gertrude Spencer, 40-F-MI/MI/PA wife Harry Spencer, 17-M-MI/MI/MI son, porter[?] man, oil field Carl Spencer, 16-M-MI/MI/MI son, pumper, oil field Etta Spencer, 14-F-MI/MI/MI daughter Grant Spencer, 9-M-KS/MI/MI son Paul Spencer, 7-M-KS/MI/MI son Mary Spencer, 4-F-KS/MI/MI daughter Byron Spencer, 2y11m-M-KS/MI/MI son + 2 boarders

1930 census, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan: Wm. C. Spencer, 56-M-MI/unknown/UNK married first age 27, no occupation Gertrude Spencer, 50-F-KS/MI/MI wife, married first age 21, practical nurse, homes Grant Spencer, 19-M-KS/MI/KS son, motor builder, factory Paul Spencer, 17-M-KS/MI/KS son, laborer, agriculture Mary Spencer, 15-F-KS/MI/KS daughter Byron Spencer, 13-M-KS/MI/KS son

MILITARY RECORDS

World War I Draft Registration: William Clarence Spencer, age 44; res. 55 Dearborn, Augusta, Butler Co., Kansas; born 8 Dec 1873; white; native born citizen; laborer, employed by Empire Gas & Fuel Co., Augusta, Butler Co., Kansas; nearest relative, wife, Gertrude E. Spencer (same address); tall, medium build, light brown eyes, sandy hair; registered 12 Sep 1918, Eldorado, Butler Co., Kansas.

HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY

William Clarence, tells the story to his children that when he was about seven or eight years old his Dad, William John Spencer, told everyone he was going to the store for a cigar. No one ever seen or heard from him from that day on. The family was living in or near Day Township at Stanton, Michigan at the time. After the choking death of his mother in 1883, the 4 children were bound out to different caring families. William Clarence went to a family that lived on a farm near Podunk, west of Greenville, Michigan, where he worked as a chore boy, then as field hand as he got older. In later years he and sister Anna were reunited as adults. "William C." as he liked to be called, had red hair. Was working in Marion Township, Charlevoix County. Worked as a fireman, and a sawyer in a sawmill there. He met Gertrude his wife near here. About 1908 William moved his family west to Kansas State as there was money to be made in the booming oil industry. Men working in the oil fields were called 'Roustabouts' While in Kansas, about 1915 he took up preaching, and was member of the local Militia during World War One. 1919 W.C., sons Harry, Carl and son-in-law Art Smith jointly owned a 1918 Buick 9 passenger touring car. About 1921 the family moved back to Michigan to the Battle Creek area, so the men (some of their sons were of age) could get jobs in the city factories. W.C. had sugar diabetes, was a stubborn person and rarely took his medicine, didn't have much faith in Doctors.

Gertrude's nickname was "Gertie". During her childhood at Charlevoix, Michigan, Gertrude's playmates were Indian children. Her Father Herbert was a seaman [sailor] on the Great Lakes and was not home very often except in the winter. Her Mom made her help with the sewing she took in to help with family money problems, and when Gertrude was not fast enough, she would receive beatings with a broom handle and other harsh punishment. Her brother Amos left home [shortly after Gertrude's wedding] due to his mother's cruelty, he just could not stand it any more. Gertrude attended a Normal school of Education at age 16 for one year, hoping to become a teacher. Instead, she was employed by a physician's family, caring for his children in Charlevoix, Michigan. When this family lived in Lansing, Michigan, husband W. C. was struck by an automobile [hit and run] breaking his legs. Gertrude was employed by the railroad chain of restaurants "Harvey Johnson", to support the family. Gertrude's application at age 60 for Social Security Account Number 381-12-6366, was submitted 4 September 1940; her address was R#7 - Box 1013A, Battle Creek, MI. Her employer was "Della's Handwoven Hats", 314 Ward Blvd., Battle Creek, Michigan.

Sources

• WikiTree profile Spencer-3091 created through the import of My-Family-1-Apr-2012.ged on Apr 1, 2012 by Steven Walker. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Steven and others.