Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 592.
 
ROBERT B. SPENCER

     has achieved a success in Gilliam county in which he may well take pride.
He resides twelve miles southeast of Olex and gives his attention to farming and
stock raising. He was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on April 12, 1850. His
father, Sheldon Spencer, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, and died August 14,
1877. He married Sarah Boyd, who was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on
October 14, 1829. She is still living at Springfield, Oregon, well preserved for
a woman of her age, and has nobly done the work of a pioneer for half a century
or more. In 1851 our subject's parents brought him across the plains and they
settled on a donation claim on the north bank of the McKenzie river some six
miles northeast of Eugene, and there remained until December, 1866. The family
then returned to Illinois and stayed there one year. After that they again carne
to Oregon, and this time bought a farm one mile north from Springfield, Lane
county, which is the home of our subject's mother at this time. There Robert B.
was reared and educated, remaining until 1884 when he came east of the mountains
and selected a homestead where he resides at the present time, made cash entry
on a section of railroad land and began the work of opening up a farm and
raising cattle. He has added since to his estate until he has about sixteen
hundred acres all told, eleven hundred acres of which are in a high state of
cultivation and producing crops annually. The balance is utilized for pasture.
He has a small band of horses, fifty head of cattle and everything in the line
of improvement and equipage needed on the estate. Arriving here with very little
means, Mr. Spencer has labored so wisely and well that he has been blessed with
the prosperity we have mentioned. This indicates a man of ability and stamina.
     At Springfield, Lane county, Oregon, on March 14, 1875, Mr. Spencer married
Miss Mary Landes, who was born in Iowa on January 11,1849. In 1854 she crossed
the plains with her parents, Abraham and A. (Levell) Landes. The father was born
in Virginia and was a veteran of the Black Hawk war and a pioneer to Oregon.
     Mr. Spencer is a member of the I. O. O. F. and very popular in fraternal
relations. In politics, he is a Republican and makes himself active in all the
campaigns. Mr. Spencer is a leading man in this part of Gilliam county and has
done a good share in bringing the county to its present state of prosperity and
wealth.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.