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This is an oral family history told by Tom Spencer. This history was relayed to him by his parents.

The oldest information we have is that there was a white doctor and landowner in Eutaw, Greene County, Alabama, names Jede (sp) Spencer who fathered 2 sons with a woman named Bede Spencer. One was Grey Spencer, who chose to live as a Caucausian and the other was Frank Spencer, who is the paternal (great) grandfather of many of us. Frank spencer married Louella Burton who was born in 1875. They had 7 children. William (Billy), Hurston, John, Andrew, James, Scott, Olanthe and Velma.

Around 1910, there was a crop failure in Alabama and other areas of the south that put many families out of work. John Spencer and Ezell Morrow came north looking for employment. They stopped in Marshalltown, because it was a railroad center. In addition to the Northwestern, the Great Western, the Minneapolis & St. Paul, the Rock Island and the Des Moines all passed through town. There were also 3 packing houses in the area..

Mr. Morrow left Marshalltown because he did not like it there and went to Des Moines. He eventually returned to Eutaw. John Spencer went back to Alabama to persuade family members and others to come north. This group included the Burtons, Morrows, Nolans, Maxwells, Lavenders, and Wilders in addition to the Spencers. This was the great migration that you hear about. The families got together - 300 strong - and rented a railway car to come to Marshalltown.

Louella Burton Spencer came north with her children although her husband Frank had already died. He had died from a ruptured hernia while working in the cotton fields. Billy married and settled in Detroit. Olanthe married David Morrow and settled in Detroit. Velma also settled in Detroit and married Sim Moses. Hustus and Andrew moved to Omaha, Nebraska. John, Scott, and James settled in Marshalltown.

The maternal genealogy..... Louella Burton Spencer's parents were Dave Burton and Sarah Williamson. Louella had (at least?) one brother named William who married Georgianna. Georgianna was a Burton before her marriage. Her parents were Lars (sp) Burton and Elizabeth Snoddy. Their children were William, Lilly Belle, Willie, Leola, Clara Burton Leonard and Flora Gandy.

Once settled in Marshalltown, this community started two churches - Cumberland Presbyterian and Morrow United Methodist.