SPENCER, COL. ROBERT H.

SPENCER, CHILCOTE, ROWLEY

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2004 at 16:51:26

Biography reproduced from page 414 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Col. Robert H. Spencer, postmaster at Algona, was born Sep. 20, 1840, in Perry Co., Ohio. His parents, Eli A. and Ann M. (Chilcote) Spencer, were also natives of Ohio. Col. Spencer is the oldest of a family of four boys. He was raised in Perry county on a farm adjoining the village of Somerset, receiving a common school education and working on the farm until 1858, when the family removed to Madison, Wis. Here he was engaged in farming on his father’s farm in the town of Windsor, Dane county, until the opening of the war. In November, 1861, he enlisted as second lieutenant in company H, 10th Wisconsin regiment, as lieutenant-colonel, and served as such until the close of the war. For the experiences of Col. Spencer while a prisoner, his escape, etc., see another portion of this work. After his discharge he returned to Dane Co., Wis., where he remained one year, then removed to Sheboygan Co., Wis., being engaged in business at Sheboygan Falls until 1868. He then returned to Dane county, and in 1870 came to Algona, engaging in the mercantile business until December, 1871. In April, 1872, he received his commission as postmaster of Algona, which office he now holds. Col. Spencer is also largely interested in farming in this county, and has quite a tract of land in Portland and Greenwood townships. He was married July 19, 1866, to Josephine M. Rowley, a native of New York. They have one child—Miss Marion. Col. Spencer is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

(Transcriber's Note: Col. Spencer’s experiences as a prisoner during the Civil War begin at page 319 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884 and run through page 344.)