HENRY R. SPENCER was born in Vergennes, Vt., May 8, 1833, his parents being Stephen and Catherine Spencer, with whom he came to Illinois, when but an infant, they settling a quarter of a mile south of the place where Mrs. Etta Spencer now resides. Henry R. was twice married. First on the 11th of June, 1856, to Laura A. Smead, a native of Vermont. To them were born four children - Stephen W., born Feb. 5, 1859, died Feb. 1, 1879, at the age of 21 years; William, married Libbie Edmonds, and John R., living with his brother, William. Mrs. Spencer died Dec. 12, 1863. Mr. Spencer was again united in marriage, on the 9th day of Nov., 1865, to Etta B. Woodcock, daughter of Edmond and Susanna Woodcock. Her father died in Quincy, Ill., about the year 1855. Her mother is yet living, at the advanced age of 85 years, and resides at Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living - Edwin A., Charles H. and James F. Those deceased are - Julia, died Aug. 31, 1879; Gertrude, Died Feb. 10, 1874; an infant son, died Sept. 2, 1875, and Catherine S., died June 6, 1880. Mr. Spencer departed this life on the 9th of Oct., 1873, and was laid to rest in the family burying ground. He was a member of the Masonic order, which body officiated at his funeral. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, and an enterprising citizen, and his loss was mourned by all. He had accumulated a large amount of land, thus leaving his family in very comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Spencer still resides at the homestead, which consists of 1,100 acres on section 3 and 4, in this township. She is a member of the M. E. church at Richwoods, and is a very intelligent and estimable lady.