Obituary: Foster W. Spencer, Aged Spencerport Business Man, Dies Conducted Hardware Store 42 Years; Village Named for Grandfather Spencerport, Nov 8--The death of Foster Wright Spencer, one of the prominent businessmen of this village, occurred suddenly at the family home in South Union Street yesterday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Mr. Spencer was a representative of one of the old and prominent families of this section of Monroe County, his native village, Spencerport, having been named in honor of his grandfather, Daniel Spencer, who came here from Haddam, Connecticut, in 1904. Foster W. Spencer had spent his entire life here. He was born on November 14, 1852 and was the oldest son of the late Joseph A. and Isabelle Wright Spencer. He was the oldest business man in the village, having started in the hardware and tinsmith business in 1882 in the same building in Union Street where his business is still carried on. The rear of the building now used as a tin shop was formally the house where he was born. Mr. Spencer was a member of the Hardware Dealers' Association of New York state. He also a member of the Spencerport CongregationalChurch and for many years sang in the church choir. He was a member of the first young men's quartet, organized in Spencerport which also included Frank N. Webster, Professor Charles Holden and Rev. William Holt. In 1885, he married Miss Bertha E. Hawkins, of this village, who survives him. Mr.Spencer had been in his usual health until he was taken ill at his store Wednesday and was removed to his home. His condition later seemed improved and his sudden death came as a shock both to his family and the entire community Besides his wife he leaves one daughter, Eleanor A; five sons, Foster F., J. Elwood, James F., Milford R. and A. Keith; one sister, Mrs. Mary Reese,and one brother, Edward C. Spencer, all of Spencerport. The funeral services will be held from the family home Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, Rev Marvin F. Hogenboom, pastor of the Congregational Church, officiating. Burial will be made in Fairfield Cemetery. In a newspaper clipping, source unknown, "F.W. Spencer--Please Respond. We want to pay our debts, but we can't do it if teose (sic) what are indebted to us do not pay what is justly due us. Now if those who knew themselves to be in arrears for the paper will kindly pay up and start in for another year, we will consider it a favor. Remember the terms of the paper are payment in advance. Please pay at once." Found in Bertha Hawkins autograph book from future husband, two years prior to their marriage: "What a horrid death To Birdie, Could I but have a wish for thee Thy life from sorrow should be free.Thy face with bearning smiles overspread And blessing rest upon thy head. Thy footsteps lead to pastures green, By living waters all unseen. Except by Faiths untiring eye. To guide thee to a home on high. Thy book of love to Thee I send Accept this tribute from a Friend yours, Fos. W. Spencer 4 Jul 1883". My grandparents were involved in the Congregational Church of Spencerport, NY; and this was found in the Spencerport Star newspaper, 10 Oct 1935: "History of the First Congregational Church of Spencerport, The eight -fifth anniversary of the First Congregational Church was observed last Sunday. . . it was organized 8 Oct 1850. The site of the building was purchased from Charles Church. At that time the village streets were not laid out and the lot upon which the church was built was surrounded by a common farm fence. Previous to the erection ofthe Church services were held in the Hall of the Sons of Temperance and the Rev. Horace Grannis was supply minister during that time. . . the church was finished 1 Feb 1852. . .The bell which had been presented by Captain Samuel Weare had been injured in the fire that followed the building. It was sent to a foundry in Troy, NY, and recast which now hangs in the belfry. The organ came 1870; and 1883, the interior of the church was thoroughly renovated and the organ and choir were placed at the west end of the auditorium near the pulpit. 1894 extensive repairs were made. . .The windows on the north side are memorials presented by the Rev. Arthur Dill in memory of his mother; Mr. and Mrs. Austin Spencer; Thomas and Elizabeth Norman; the Ladies Benevolent Society. . .following are a list of the names of those living today who have been members of thechurch for fifty years and more. . . Mrs. Bertha E. Spencer, 55 years Dr. Louis E. Slayton, 55 years; Mrs. L. E. Slayton, 56 years On 27 Mar 2000, a new post office opened at the corner of Union Street and Amity Street. The site became available after a fire destroyed the building that was referred to in my time(Dana R. Spencer---1958) as the Hart Building. It housed the Odd Fellows Lodge on the 2nd story---after the fire a casket and human skeleton were found in the ruins and it was reported itwas part of the ritual of the Odd Fellows. I have a picture of my grandfather, Foster Wright Spencer, in front of his store in the Hart Building which housed Spencer Hardware.
Bill for "Walker Brothers, Undertakers and Embalmers, Spencerport, NY 5May 1925--To the Estate of Foster W. Spencer To Casket,Handles, Plate and Engraving, Embalming, Wreath on Door, Glovesfor Bearers, Charis at House, Grave Lining, Dirt Cover, Hearse and Services, To Steel Vault, Cluster of Flowers, (Husband andFather), Obituary Notices and Telephone $290.00 100.00 15.002.28 ______ $407.28 Paid 21 Mar 1925.
Bill for "Walker Brothers, Undertakers and Embalmers, Spencerport, NY 5May 1925--To the Estate of Foster W. Spencer To Casket,Handles, Plate and Engraving, Embalming, Wreath on Door, Glovesfor Bearers, Charis at House, Grave Lining, Dirt Cover, Hearse and Services, To Steel Vault, Cluster of Flowers, (Husband andFather), Obituary Notices and Telephone $290.00 100.00 15.002.28 ______ $407.28 Paid 21 Mar 1925.
Obituary: Foster W. Spencer, Aged Spencerport Business Man, Dies Conducted Hardware Store 42 Years; Village Named for Grandfather Spencerport, Nov 8--The death of Foster Wright Spencer, one of the prominent businessmen of this village, occurred suddenly at the family home in South Union Street yesterday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Mr. Spencer was a representative of one of the old and prominent families of this section of Monroe County, his native village, Spencerport, having been named in honor of his grandfather, Daniel Spencer, who came here from Haddam, Connecticut, in 1904. Foster W. Spencer had spent his entire life here. He was born on November 14, 1852 and was the oldest son of the late Joseph A. and Isabelle Wright Spencer. He was the oldest business man in the village, having started in the hardware and tinsmith business in 1882 in the same building in Union Street where his business is still carried on. The rear of the building now used as a tin shop was formally the house where he was born. Mr. Spencer was a member of the Hardware Dealers' Association of New York state. He also a member of the Spencerport CongregationalChurch and for many years sang in the church choir. He was a member of the first young men's quartet, organized in Spencerport which also included Frank N. Webster, Professor Charles Holden and Rev. William Holt. In 1885, he married Miss Bertha E. Hawkins, of this village, who survives him. Mr.Spencer had been in his usual health until he was taken ill at his store Wednesday and was removed to his home. His condition later seemed improved and his sudden death came as a shock both to his family and the entire community Besides his wife he leaves one daughter, Eleanor A; five sons, Foster F., J. Elwood, James F., Milford R. and A. Keith; one sister, Mrs. Mary Reese,and one brother, Edward C. Spencer, all of Spencerport. The funeral services will be held from the family home Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, Rev Marvin F. Hogenboom, pastor of the Congregational Church, officiating. Burial will be made in Fairfield Cemetery. In a newspaper clipping, source unknown, "F.W. Spencer--Please Respond. We want to pay our debts, but we can't do it if teose (sic) what are indebted to us do not pay what is justly due us. Now if those who knew themselves to be in arrears for the paper will kindly pay up and start in for another year, we will consider it a favor. Remember the terms of the paper are payment in advance. Please pay at once." Found in Bertha Hawkins autograph book from future husband, two years prior to their marriage: "What a horrid death To Birdie, Could I but have a wish for thee Thy life from sorrow should be free.Thy face with bearning smiles overspread And blessing rest upon thy head. Thy footsteps lead to pastures green, By living waters all unseen. Except by Faiths untiring eye. To guide thee to a home on high. Thy book of love to Thee I send Accept this tribute from a Friend yours, Fos. W. Spencer 4 Jul 1883". My grandparents were involved in the Congregational Church of Spencerport, NY; and this was found in the Spencerport Star newspaper, 10 Oct 1935: "History of the First Congregational Church of Spencerport, The eight -fifth anniversary of the First Congregational Church was observed last Sunday. . . it was organized 8 Oct 1850. The site of the building was purchased from Charles Church. At that time the village streets were not laid out and the lot upon which the church was built was surrounded by a common farm fence. Previous to the erection ofthe Church services were held in the Hall of the Sons of Temperance and the Rev. Horace Grannis was supply minister during that time. . . the church was finished 1 Feb 1852. . .The bell which had been presented by Captain Samuel Weare had been injured in the fire that followed the building. It was sent to a foundry in Troy, NY, and recast which now hangs in the belfry. The organ came 1870; and 1883, the interior of the church was thoroughly renovated and the organ and choir were placed at the west end of the auditorium near the pulpit. 1894 extensive repairs were made. . .The windows on the north side are memorials presented by the Rev. Arthur Dill in memory of his mother; Mr. and Mrs. Austin Spencer; Thomas and Elizabeth Norman; the Ladies Benevolent Society. . .following are a list of the names of those living today who have been members of thechurch for fifty years and more. . . Mrs. Bertha E. Spencer, 55 years Dr. Louis E. Slayton, 55 years; Mrs. L. E. Slayton, 56 years On 27 Mar 2000, a new post office opened at the corner of Union Street and Amity Street. The site became available after a fire destroyed the building that was referred to in my time(Dana R. Spencer---1958) as the Hart Building. It housed the Odd Fellows Lodge on the 2nd story---after the fire a casket and human skeleton were found in the ruins and it was reported itwas part of the ritual of the Odd Fellows. I have a picture of my grandfather, Foster Wright Spencer, in front of his store in the Hart Building which housed Spencer Hardware.
Bill for "Walker Brothers, Undertakers and Embalmers, Spencerport, NY 5May 1925--To the Estate of Foster W. Spencer To Casket,Handles, Plate and Engraving, Embalming, Wreath on Door, Glovesfor Bearers, Charis at House, Grave Lining, Dirt Cover, Hearse and Services, To Steel Vault, Cluster of Flowers, (Husband andFather), Obituary Notices and Telephone $290.00 100.00 15.002.28 ______ $407.28 Paid 21 Mar 1925.
Bill for "Walker Brothers, Undertakers and Embalmers, Spencerport, NY 5May 1925--To the Estate of Foster W. Spencer To Casket,Handles, Plate and Engraving, Embalming, Wreath on Door, Glovesfor Bearers, Charis at House, Grave Lining, Dirt Cover, Hearse and Services, To Steel Vault, Cluster of Flowers, (Husband andFather), Obituary Notices and Telephone $290.00 100.00 15.002.28 ______ $407.28 Paid 21 Mar 1925.
Family Members
Siblings
