Social History of Spencer, Indiana

Jessie Allen, born 1889 and died 1978, moved with her family to Owen County in 1900. She speaks briefly about her childhood and attending school in Spencer before going into some detail about living in the community during the Great Depression. She also discusses the decline in business and overall friendliness since she moved to Spencer.

Effie Alspaugh discusses the local history of Spencer, Indiana.

Chic and Irene Bain, both born 1903, speak about their education and growing up in a small town. They discuss their belief that mothers working outside the home was one of the worst things to happen for children's morals and schools. They also speak about the time it took for Chic to become accepted in the community, and the way the community treated the rich and poor.

Gene and Eloise Bowen discuss religious beliefs and schools in Spencer, Indiana.

Ollie Bowler, born 1901, moved to Spencer during the Great Depression. He discusses the influence of politics and the wealthy in the community, especially in regards to policies and employment. He also speaks about the friendliness of the community and how businesses have declined since he first moved to the town.

Gary Bryant, born 1934 and died 1995, grew up in Spencer and lived there most of his life. He speaks about the large number of people living in town who must commute to work everyday, and the need to travel to larger cities to shop. He also briefly touches on the town's clannishness and how it reacts to newcomers.

Watson Buker, born 1915, lived most of his adult life in Spencer. He speaks about the influence of religion in his life and, as school board president, the value of education. Without giving too many details, he discusses the firing of the high school principal over differences in ideology.

Rose Camden speaks about life in Greene County and Spencer, Indiana. She discusses the differences in education, particularly discipline, between her generation and the present. She also discusses the importance of religion as well as the denominational friction between the churches in town. She speaks about crime, the bank robbery in the 1920s, and the differences between the economic classes.

James W. Clark, born 1891, speaks about his education and religion, including how it has evolved over the years. He has also been involved in the local politics, such as county clerk and school board, and speaks about the changes in local politics from mostly Democratic to Republican.

James Clark, Janet Long, Rosalie Long, Dortha Monroe, and Sandra Monroe speak about local history, education, religion, social classes, and economic changes in Spencer, Indiana.

Roscoe Close, born 1914, grew up in the Spencer area and speaks about his early history, including school, trapping, and farming. He also talks about education and discipline in the school as well as community interaction between the rich and poor.

Louis Crouch speaks about religion and education in Spencer, Indiana

Jessie Curtis, Ina Hight, Gladys Laymon, Donna Peden, and Martha Weymouth speak about life in Spencer during the early twentieth century. They discuss both their family and local history, education, and religion. They also talk about the community interaction, such as that between the rich and poor, and the recreational events.

Lillian Dyer, born 1906, was a music teacher in Spencer, Indiana. She discusses her knowledge of the community, and her thoughts about religion and education.

Charles Edwards speaks about local history and his involvement in Indiana politics.

Violet Emerson has lived in Spencer since her husband opened a drugstore during the Great Depression in the nineteen thirties. She speaks about her early childhood, including the sense of importance of education and religion she got from her parents. In fact, her father apparently moved to Bloomington when they were younger to prepare them for college. She speaks about life in Spencer after the 1930s, and especially discusses the importance of religion and the commute of those seeking employment.

Nelson Fisher was born June 4, 1889 and lived his whole life in Spencer, Indiana. He quit high school at the age of eighteen, although he was only in the ninth grade, due to a series of illnesses that kept him out ofschool for a long period of time. He went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Spencer and became a telegraph operator. He discusses his success at his job because he was ambidextrous, being born left-handed and trained to be right-handed in school. In the 1930s, Mr. Fisher had to retire because tuberculosis had settled in his bones. He has lived ever since on his railroad pension and Social Security. Mr. Nelson also talks about his children, his time spent in various nursing homes over the years, and his religious beliefs.

James Fulford, born in La Porte County, Indiana November 12, 1924, was the principal of Owen Valley High School at the time of the interview. He was raised in Monroe County, and attended Indiana University to get a teaching degree. Mr. Fulford taught many places in the state of Indiana, and was brought to Owen County to assist in the county's school consolidation plans. He compares the educational system that was in place when he was growing up to the present. He discusses the challenges of school consolidation. He talks about child discipline in the past and today. Finally, Mr. Fulford discusses Spencer's religious communities, consisting of many small churches of different denominations.

Isabella Goldberg discusses life in Spencer, Indiana.

Raymond Gross discusses life in Spencer, Indiana during the Great Depression and the local history of the area.

John Hackworthy, a a small business owner, discusses the changes in Spencer, Indiana since he and his wife moved there in 1964. He talks about school consolidation and compares the schools in Wisconsin, his native state, to those in Owen County. He talks about the Spencer, Indiana Catholic community, of which he is a member. Mr. Hackworthy compares the atmosphere of the small Spencer community to that of larger communities in Wisconsin.

Elliott Hickam discusses the local history of Spencer, Indiana, small town life, and the Spencer educational system.

Willis Hickam has lived in Spencer, Indiana his entire life. He graduated from Spencer High School in the 1910s and attended Indiana University to earn a law degree to follow in his father's footsteps. He then returned to Spencer to practice law. Mr. Hickam discusses the changes in the small town over the years. He talks about how Spencer fared in the Great Depression and how Spencer fared. He speaks of the differences in the economic classes in Spencer and how they react to each other. He discusses Spencer's religious communities, how they relate to each other, and how they have changed over the years. Mr. Hickam also mentions some memories of his life in Spencer, especially a bank robbery that occurred in 1924.

John S. Honeay, a Baptist pastor in Spencer, Indiana, was born in Colorado, but grew up in Monrovia, Indiana in Morgan County. Pastor Honeay was called to the ministry at the age of fifteen and attended Franklin College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He talks about the differences in morality, family life, and child discipline today compared to his childhood. He discusses the different sects of the Christian church in Spencer and their relationships. He talks about his involvement in local politics and local activism. Finally, he speaks of the decline of the family unit, which he feels is largely due to a decrease in church membership.

Jan and Larry Hunter have lived in Spencer, Indiana for the past five years. They compare the small town community in Spencer to that of Bicknell, Indiana where they both were raised. The Hunters discuss the educational system in Spencer, where Larry is a high school teacher and Jan is a substitute teacher. They discuss their religious beliefs and the values they hope to teach their children.

Oran Kay, born August 9, 1894 and died November 5, 1976, talks about his experiences in Owen County as a general practitioner for forty years. Amongst his accomplishments in his life, he delivered over 6,000 babies. Dr. Kay talks about the changes he has observed in Spencer over the years, including increased crime rates, more divorce, and children moving to other towns to make their living instead of remaining in Spencer. He talks about his practice and the changes he has seen in the medical profession over the years. Finally, Dr. Kay discusses his religious beliefs and how they relate to his interests in medicine.

Paul Kinney, was raised in southern Indiana and spent the majority of his childhood in Owen County. He talks about attending a one-room school in Owen County until a larger school was built later. He talks about the path that led him to become a teacher. He compares the educational system and methods of today with those he experienced as a youth. He compares the actions and attitudes of the youth of his childhood with those present in today's society. Finally, he discusses his religious beliefs, the Unitarian Universalist Church, and fundamental Christianity.

Penny Koob talks about the history of Spencer, Indiana, life in a small town, and the economic class differences in Spencer, Indiana.

Gladys Laymon, born in 1899, discusses her life in Spencer, Indiana. She describes her education, church affiliation, and family life. She discusses her father's influence upon her and his strict household. She also discusses changes in education and the community. She shares her opinions about civic pride and community organizations.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis discuss life in Spencer, Indiana and how they came to live in the town. They discuss their educations and the education of their children. They also discuss are local politics, community activities, and the lack of diversity in the community.

Joe Miller discusses the educational system in Spencer, Indiana. He also describes the interaction of the religious denominations in the area.

Jack and Althea Money discuss their lives in Spencer, Indiana. Jack discusses his childhood activities and education. He discusses his father's drug store and its financial difficulty during the Great Depression. Mr. and Mrs. Money also discuss community clubs and activities as well as the educational system in Spencer.

Dick Nelson discusses his role in developing the Community Tax Force in Owen County, Indiana. He shares his experience with welfare relief from the township trustee and the federal government. Nelson also discusses the cycle of poverty and the communities' responsibility for indigent relief through taxes.

Jack B. Newsom, born 1908, discusses the history of Spencer, Indiana and its current situation. He talks about his education, childhood activities, and community involvement. He discusses his leadership of the Boy Scouts and the young people of Spencer. He discusses the African-American population in Spencer. Newsom also describes religious, political, and community activism.

Alberta Orrell was born July 6, 1896 in Patricksburg, Indiana and died in May 1978 in Spencer, Indiana. She discusses her schooling, and the influence education had on her, which led her to become a teacher. She talks about the differences between teaching methods of the past and present. She speaks of the changes in small town life over the years. Finally, she discusses the large role her family has played in her life.

Arthur Parrish was born October 2, 1915, and died November 1977 in Spencer, Indiana. He talks about growing up on a farm in the country and attending a one-room school. He speaks of living through the Great Depression. He talks about the changes he has observed in Spencer over the years, and compares his way of life as a youth to the youth of today.

Stella Ramsey was born November 18, 1894, and died January 1984. She talks about the changes she has observed in Owen County over the years. She speaks of her religious beliefs and her involvement in an Assembly of God Church in Spencer, Indiana. She discusses the moral decay of society, which she feels is due to low church attendance and lack of belief of God.

Ron Reed, part owner of the Tivoli Theater in Spencer, Indiana, shares his observations of small town life. He talks about the political and economic situation in the town. He talks about the disparate economic classes in Spencer. Finally, he discusses the history of the Tivoli Theater and his future plans for the business.

Ernest and Gladys Royer have lived in Spencer, Indiana for many years. They talk about the 1920s and 1930s and the changes in transportation, social life, and town atmosphere that have taken place since then. They speak of their involvement in the local Presbyterian church and the people they have known throughout their lives.

Judge William Sharp and his wife Elizabeth have lived in Spencer, Indiana for the past six years. They describe the differences in small town life in Spencer and life in Indianapolis, Indiana. They talk about local politics and a local scandal involving the school board. Finally, Judge Sharp discusses his duties as the county judge, and his interactions with the Owen County Welfare Board.

Mary Frances Smith, born December 15, 1898 and died May 1981, lived in Spencer, Indiana most of her life. She discusses the differences in Spencer when she was young and Spencer today. She speaks of the general decline in morality, citizenship, and decency over the years, which she feels is mostly due to a decrease in church attendance, irresponsible parenting, and women working outside the home. She also talks about memories she has of growing up in Spencer.

Renos Spangler, born November 11, 1902 and died January 4, 1992, lived in Owen County his whole life. He discusses the many changes that have taken place over time in Spencer, Indiana, including changes in child discipline, religious beliefs and church attendance, economic factors, education, and small town life in general. He also relates some memories of events and people in Spencer.

Frank and Betty R. Stewart talk about the local history of Spencer, Indiana, compare small town life in Spencer to life in a big city, discuss the religious communities active in Spencer, and talk about discipline in public schools.

Dan Stogsdill talks about the local history of Spencer, Indiana, including local politics, the shift of community social functions from the church to the school, and the problem of finding work in Spencer, leading young people to move out of the community.

Lela Mae Sturgell discusses local history and politics and small town life in Spencer, Indiana. She also discusses her religious beliefs and compares today's educational methods with those from her schooling.

Jon Walker has lived in Spencer, Indiana for the past four years. He speaks of the history of the town, especially the Tivoli Theater, of which he is part owner. He talks about his activities on the Spencer Chamber of Commerce. He also discusses how an increase in the tourist trade could potentially help Spencer become a more prosperous community.

Janet Wardlaw discusses the history of Spencer, Indiana and the religious communities that are active there.

John Wardlaw has lived in Spencer, Indiana for the past two years. He speaks of the advantages and disadvantages of small town life. He talks about the initial reluctance of the community to accept his family. He discusses the dynamics among Spencer's religious communities. He talks about the conservative nature of the school system and the steps that need to be taken to make it more progressive.

T. Perry Wesley has lived in Spencer, Indiana for the past thirty years. He originally came to Spencer to purchase and run the local newspaper, which he managed until his retirement. Mr. Wesley compares small town life in Spencer to other communities he has lived in. He talks about Spencer's religious communities and how they interact with each other. Finally, he discusses his own religious and moral beliefs.

Richard Whitaker discusses the infiltration of Communists in the United States Government, the disintegration of moral responsibility, and his opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment.

Cecil White was born September 27, 1910 and died January 30, 1989. He talks about the small Spencer, Indiana school he attended through the sixth grade and the subjects he studied. He speaks of the changes he has observed in Spencer since his childhood. He speaks of his religious beliefs and the importance of the Pentecostal church he attends in Spencer. He also shares some memories of Spencer through the years.

Glendora White has lived in Owen County her whole life. She discusses the school she attended as a child. She talks about growing up on a farm, and the changes that have occurred in farming methods over the years. She shares stories of her ancestors and of Spencer in general. She talks about small town life in Spencer and how it has changed. She also discusses her religious beliefs and the importance of the Christian church in her life.

Rosa Williams, born in 1897, spent most of her life in Spencer, Indiana. She discusses education, religion, family, the community, and how they have all changed over the years. She also discusses the Great Depression and how it effected her family and the community.

William Wimberly discusses his life in spencer, Indiana. He covers topics such as religion, education, and community life.

Virginia Yockey discusses her life in Spencer, Indiana. She discusses changes in the community, education, activities, and child rearing. Mrs. Yockey describes community activities and the advantages of living in a small town. She discusses the town's civic pride and the importance of patriotism.