The Scott Family
surname: Spare
SPARE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS
from the Spare book of 1931. See bibliography for publication data.
Click on the pictures below to view larger image.
Click on the names below to view entry in our Spare database.
Earliest known signature of It is attached to a statement which the elders of the Rev. John Philip Boehm's congregations sent to the Classis of Amsterdam in 1730. |
Oldest Styer Homestead On the Whitpain Township tract where Jacob and Christiana (Spare) Styer made their home in 1768 |
Oldest Yost Homestead House near Center Square where Daniel and Elizabeth (Spare) Yost lived |
First Spare Family Reunion, 1902 |
Spare Family Reunion, 1912 at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa. |
Charles Mahlon Spare (1849 - 1918) First President of the Spare Reunion |
John Guilden Spare (1847 - 1917) First Vice-President of the Spare Reunion |
Dr. Sarah A. Spare (1843 - 1924) First Treasurer of the Spare Reunion |
Miss Adele Spare Wile (? - ?) First Secretary of the Spare Reunion |
John Spare (1823 - 1863) Who died while serving in the Civil War |
Alexander G. Bond (1846 - 1927) |
Additional Photos
thanks to Gary Kelly
|
Julia Goldey Styer wife of William Oscar Titus |
THE SPARE REUNIONS
Transcribed from pages 271-281 of the Spare book of 1931. See bibliography for publication data.
Click on the pictures below to view larger image.
Click on the names below to view entry in our Spare database.
How the annual reunions of the Spare Family originated is best told in the following record which the first secretary, Miss Adele Spare Wile, placed upon the opening pages of the reunion minute book:
"On July 20, 1902, while the Misses Estella, Bertha and Adele Wile, of Norristown, were visiting the family of their uncle, Hiram Spare, of Mont Clare, Pa., the idea of organizing a family reunion was suggested and discussed. The Misses Adele and Estella Wile were selected to correspond with all the descendants of their grandfather, Amos Spare, who formerly resided at Trappe.
"This was done immediately, and all were asked if they would approve of a family reunion on Saturday, August 23.
"The relatives promptly responded, saying they would be glad to participate.
"Hiram Spare, of Mont Clare, kindly offered his spacious home for this reunion, which was readily accepted.
"On August 3, 1902, a committee composed of the following persons held a meeting: Mr. and Mrs. John T. Spare, Philadelphia; Miss Ella Spare, Mont Clare; Mr. Norvin S. Wile, Norristown; Mr. Jesse Davidson, Mont Clare; Mr. Roscoe Spare and Miss Bertha D. Spare, Conshohocken; the Misses Bertha, Estella and Adele Wile, Norristown. The committee elected Mr. Roscoe Spare president, Mr. John T. Spare vice-president, Miss Adele Spare Wile secretary and Miss Ella Spare (who afterwards married Mr. Jesse Davidson), treasurer.
"The committee met several times subsequently to arrange for the reunion. Eatables were bought and prepared. Very inviting meals were spread upon the porches at noon and evening.
"Outdoor games of various kinds, including baseball, quoits, croquet, etc., were indulged in by the younger element.
"It was a beautiful, cool summer day, and fifty-one members were present. They were: Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Spare, Miss Ella Spare, Mr. Norman Spare, Mr. Hiram Spare, Jr., Mr. Jesse Davidson, Miss Laura Davidson, of Mont Clare; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Spare, Mrs. John Schubert, Mr. Jerome C. Klein, Mr. Will L. Jones, of Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. Jonas G. Wile, Mr. Norvin S. Wile, the Misses Adele, Estella and Bertha Wile, Miss E. Viola Krieble, Mrs. William M. Spare, of Norristown; Mrs. Oscar S. Dillin, Miss Margaret Dillin, Radnor; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Yocum, Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Custer, Miss Edith Custer, of Fairview Village; Mr. and Mrs. Elvin S. Yocum, Miss Alverta Yocum, Master John R. Yocum, Mr. Walter Yocum, Mrs. John Favinger, of Royersford; Mrs. A. M. Smith, Miss Helen Hoffman, of Reading; the Misses Flora and Mary Spare, Master Howard Spare, Limerick; Mr. and Mrs. E. Everett Smith, the Misses Laura and Marie Smith, Masters Stanley and Walter Smith, of Hazleton; Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Yocum, Miss Carrie Yocum, of Collegeville; Mr. Jacob T. Krieble of North Wales; Miss Adele Snyder, of Eagleville, and Mr. Roscoe Spare, of Conshohocken.
"As the occasion proved to be such a grand success, by unanimous consent it was decided to extend invitations to the entire Spare Family for another reunion next year."
The following is a copy of a letter which Miss Estella Spare Wile prepared and mailed to fifty-nine descendants of Amos Spare, announcing the first reunion:
"We take pleasure in writing to you to inform you of what the committee have been doing toward our Spare Reunion, which is to be held August 23, 1902, at Hiram Spare's, Mont Clare, Pa.
"We have received very favorable replies from nearly all the relatives, stating they were highly in favor of it and expected to be present.
"In reference to the dinner and supper for the reunion : We have been calculating what it will cost for these two meals, and in order to have a real nice menu we find it will cost about $20 or $25 at the least, for eatables and help on the day of the reunion; and as it is not just suitable for any of the relatives to pay this amount out of their own pocket we think it would be a good idea to have each relative send their money which they intended giving on the day of the reunion about a week before to Miss Ella Spare, Mont Clare, Pa., who has been appointed treasurer. We will be very grateful if each relative will forward this amount before August 16, as the committee meet then for the final report.
"The expense for each person will be at the lowest 25 cents per meal, making 50 cents for both. Each relative over 12 years is expected to pay this amount if possible.
"The menu is to consist of cold ham, dried beef, potato salad, cheese, rolls, ice cream, crackers, tomatoes, all kinds of fruit, etc., etc.
"The committee is making all arrangements to buy everything as cheap as possible and is trying to have it so arranged that it will be a day long to be remembered by all.
"We are going to have a small literary program for the afternoon, and wish each relative who has talent for singing or reciting would come prepared in order to make it a success.
"We sincerely trust you will all come, and if we don't have a good time we will wonder why. Come if it does rain, as it will be held rain or shine, and bring an extra 'talker and laughter' along, for we think you will need it, as the Spares are all such quiet people (?)."
One of those at the reunion of 1902 was Mrs. Mary Emma Spare Dillin, though she was not of the Amos Spare family. She was delighted, and it was at her suggestion that it was decided to include the entire Spare family in the next reunion.
1903
In preparation for the reunion of 1903, the secretary of the 1902
committee, Miss Adele S.
Wile, and her sister, Miss Estella S.
Wile,
obtained names and addresses of all descendants of Nathan Spare that
could be located, and invitations were sent them. The reunion was held
on Saturday, August 15, at Sanatoga Park, near Pottstown, and 275
persons were present, representing four generations.
At a business meeting the following officers were elected: President, Mr. Charles M. Spare, Philadelphia; vice-president, Mr. John G. Spare, Limerick; secretary, Miss Adele Spare Wile, Norristown; treasurer, Dr. Sarah A. Spare, Philadelphia.
An executive committee was appointed consisting of Mr. Norvin S. Wile, Norristown, chairman; Miss Flora Spare, Limerick; Mrs. Matthias Custer, Fairview Village; Dr. Sarah A. Spare, Philadelphia; Miss Estella S. Wile, Norristown; Miss Bertha D. Spare, Conshohocken; Mr. S. Hartwell Spare, Rahns; Mr. William B. Northam, Chester; Miss Hattie Bond, Philadelphia, and Mr. C. Roscoe Spare, Philadelphia. The principal duty of this committee was to arrange for the 1904 reunion.
Badges of purple material, stamped with the words "Spare Reunion," were sold for 10 cents each. The custom of taking a collection to defray expenses was begun at this meeting, and $7.50 was realized.
Dinner and supper were served in picnic style, and the younger members remained at the park in the evening to enjoy the Amusements
1904
Prior to the reunion of 1904 the executive committee decided to
invite all descendants of the first Leonard Spare to participate in the
reunion. The result was that more than 400 persons were present at the
celebration, which took place at Sanatoga Park on Saturday, August 6.
In the afternoon a literary and musical program was presented, comprising a recitation, "Uncle Peter and the Trolley Car," by Miss Sylvia Ashenfelter, of Norristown; a vocal solo, "Where Is Heaven," by Miss Emily J. Northam, of Chester; a piano solo, "Karnara," by Miss Lillian A. Dorworth, of Rahns; a recitation, "Miss Baloya," by Miss Bertha D. Spare, of Conshohocken; a vocal duet, "The Fairies' Home," by the Misses Flora and Mary Spare, of Limerick; a recitation, "My Soul Going Above," by Mrs. Anna Bean, of Royersford, who was 80 years old and was introduced as the only living granddaughter of Leonard Spare; a vocal solo, "I'd Like to Hear That Song Again," by Miss Northam; a piano solo, "The Bells of Shandon," by Miss Dorworth; and another recitation, "Sall's Courting," by Miss Ashenfelter.
On this occasion Dr. Sarah A. Spare, of Philadelphia, presented to the family the minute book which has since served for recording the proceedings of all the reunions.
1905
For the reunion of 1905 it was decided to go to Zieber's Park, West Point, Montgomery County, Pa.
At this meeting, held August 5, steps were taken for the first time to compile the family's history, a committee
being appointed for that purpose consisting of Mr. Chester Montgomery
Spare, of Mont Clare, chairman; Mr. William
Summers, Conshohocken; Miss
Flora Spare, Limerick; Mrs. Kate
Henderson, Philadelphia, and Miss Lillian A.
Dorworth, Norristown.
Mr. Summers delivered a historical address, and the program further comprised an address of welcome by Miss Edith Custer, of Fairview Village; a reading by Miss Hannah Ashenfelter, of Oaks; a vocal solo by Mr. S. Hartwell Spare, of Rahns; a reading by Miss Bertha D. Spare, of Conshohocken; a vocal duet by the Misses Flora and Mary Spare, of Limerick; a sketch of the family, read by the president, Mr. Charles M. Spare; an instrumental solo, by Miss Virginia Kurtz, of Mont Clare; a vocal solo, by Miss Emily J. Northam, of Chester; a vocal duet by Mr. Roscoe Spare and Miss Bertha Spare, of Conshohocken, and a reading by Mr. Roscoe Spare.
Sports were introduced at this reunion. Miss Flora Spare of Limerick, won the girls' foot race, and Abram Grater, of Royersford, the boys' foot race, while Miss Emily Krug, of Schwenksville, and Edwin Grater, of Royersford, were winners in the potato race. A baseball game was played between nines of single and married men, the former being victorious, 22 to 17. Similar baseball games have been a feature of every subsequent reunion.
1906
An attendance of more than 500 was reported at the reunion of
1906, held at Zieber's Park on August 4. Members of the family living at
distant places were present, including residents of Kansas and
Alabama. On this occasion and at many following reunions, Mr. Horace C.
Spare, of Philadelphia, had charge of the sports and games. He always
arranged programs full of interest that were keenly enjoyed by
participants and spectators. The minutes record that at the 1906 reunion
Mr. Spare introduced the game of "feeding the kid."
1907-1910
Until 1910 reunions were held regularly at Zieber's Park on the first
Saturday of August. At the 1907 reunion a photograph was token, the
place of honor in the center being given to the
oldest and the youngest participant -- Mrs. Susan
Ashenfelter, of
Collegeville, who was 82 years old, and Mildred Gladys
Spare, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. William
Spare, of Norristown, 2 months of age.
A feature of this reunion was an address by Mr. George Edwin Spare, of New York City, member of the Massachusetts Spare family. There also was an address by the Rev. John Priest, of Chester.
A new badge was worn in 1907, comprising a white celluloid button attached to a red-white-and-blue ribbon, the words "Spare Family Reunion" appearing on the button.
At the 1908 reunion a letter of greeting was read from Philip Newton Spare, of Mill House, Chadwell Heath, Essex, England, who also sent a photograph of his family.
Throughout these years the literary and musical programs were usually supplied by the members who provided the programs of 1904 and 1905, of which an outline has been given. A new speaker in 1909 was Mr. Bernard Y. Spare, of Limerick, a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. There also was a number by the "Spare Quartet," composed of the Misses Flora and Mary Spare and Messrs. Bernard and Gilbert Spare.
The ball game at this reunion is described as having been one of the most exciting in the history of the reunions. The single men won, 12 to 11. Up to that year the married men had been victors in only one of the annual games.
Among the sports was a peach race, the participants being the Misses Emily J. Northam, Harriet Bond and Alice Spare. Miss Northam won. Other competitions included blind races, sack and barrel races. Then there was an ascension of small balloons.
1911-1914
From 1911 until 1914 the reunions were held at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa.
Among the participants in the 1911 reunion were Mr. George Edwin Spare, of New York City, one of the New England Spares, and Miss Cissle A. Spare, of London, England.
Since 1912 it has been the custom to make a yearly record of the births, marriages and deaths among
members of the family. (1912 photo to the right)
The Rev. D. D. Brendle, of Wentz's Reformed Church, was a speaker at the 1913 reunion, telling about the connection of Leonard Spare and his descendants with Wentz's Church and inviting the family to hold its next reunion at that church. The invitation was accepted. But in 1914, because suitable arrangements for meals could not be made at Wentz's Church, and also because of the lack of transit facilities in Worcester, the reunion was again held at Ursinus College.
By this time a new generation of talent was making its appearance in the annual programs. The following numbers were heard in 1914: Piano duet, "Young America March," Fendall and Carroll Detwiler, Oak Lane; recitation, "All Things Bright and Beautiful," Miss Mildred Spare, Norristown; vocal solo, "Rosary," Miss Beatrice Cassel, Wyncote; vocal duet, "Abide with Me," Mrs. Matthias Custer and Miss Edith Y. Custer, Norristown; vocal solo, Miss Elizabeth Krug, Norristown.
1915-1916
The reunion of 1915 was held July 31 in a picnic park at Valley Forge.
Because of the heat in midsummer, when the reunions had been held up to that time,
it was resolved to fix the date for the 1916 reunion for the last Saturday in June,
and to meet again at Valley Forge. But in 1916 no reunion took place because of
the general quarantine against public meetings due to the epidemic of infantile paralysis.
This was the only year when the reunion was omitted
1917-1920
The family returned to the former reunion date, the first Saturday in August, in 1917.
The scene of the reunion was the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, where the reunions have been held every
year since 1917.
Wartime conditions cast a shadow over the reunion of 1918, which was accentuated by the announcement of the deaths in the preceding year of Mr. Charles M. Spare, president from the time of organization until 1917, and Mr. John G. Spare, vice-president of the Reunion.
Announcement was made at the 1918 reunion that the following young men in the family had entered the service of the United States in the war with Germany:
Walter Smith, Hazleton, Pa., in France.
Clarence Stephenson, Norristown, Pa., in France.
William W. Dager, Norristown, Pa., in France.
Bertram Ashenfelter, Arcola, Pa., in France.
Howard Thomas, Philadelphia, in Camp Lee.
Walter N. Spare, Philadelphia.
George Oberholtzer, Philadelphia.
Harry Oberholtzer, Philadelphia, in France.
Earl Tyson Pole, Germantown, Philadelphia, in Camp Myer, Va.
Russell D. Custer, Skippack, Pa., in camp in Virginia.
Joseph A. Aldinger, Medical Corps, Camp Lee.
1921-1930
Because of the threatening weather, the attendance at the 1921 reunion was less than 100,
which was the smallest in the history of the reunions.
The oldest attendant at the 1922 reunion, and no doubt the oldest who ever attended any reunion of the family, was Joseph Taylor, of Germantown, Philadelphia, the father-in-law of Anna Spare Taylor. He was 95 years of age.
Usually in this period the number present at the reunions ranged from 150 to 200, but in 1925, more than 250 assembled.
The Lower Providence Presbyterian Church gained favor as a place of meeting both because it is readily accessible and because of the satisfying meals which the Women's Missionary Society of the congregation provided. Another pleasing feature at the reunions has been the address of welcome by the pastor of the church, the Rev. Dr. R. L. Williams.
Each year prizes have been awarded to those coming farthest, the oldest married couple, the youngest married couple, the oldest member, the youngest member and the largest family. For several years the family of Mr. and Mrs. Abram H. Kratz, of Collegeville, received the award for the largest family, but in 1927 this family was tied with that of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spare, of Bridgeport. Henry Spare is a brother of Mrs. Abram H. Kratz.
Three members were presented to the assemblage at the 1929 reunion with the announcement that they had attended every reunion for twenty-five years -- Mrs. Esther Oberholtzer, Philadelphia; Mrs. Mary Custer, Trooper, and Mr. Gilbert Spare, of Ardmore.
Miss Estella S. Wile, of Norristown, has attended every reunion except that of 1910, when she was very ill. Speaking of the reunions, Miss Wile says:
"We never had a rainy day on the first Saturday of August until about four years ago, and then there was only a slight shower. Two years ago the day was misty and cloudy. When we had our reunion on the last Saturday of July at Ursinus College we had a shower, but the following Saturday there was no rain. Our early reunions were full of interest. We played all kinds of games, which seemed to provoke much laughter and fun; this promoted sociability. The gatherings then were much larger than in recent years."
Since several of the early programs of the reunions have been given, it may be well also to record that of 1930. It consisted of vocal solos, "I Love You Truly" and "The Lilac Tree," by Mrs. Bernard Y. Spare, Cleveland, O.; greetings from Mrs. Robert Goodman, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Robert H. Spare, Philadelphia; an address by the Rev. Bernard Y. Spare, of Cleveland, O., and the reading of the births, marriages and deaths reported during the year.
The following have been the officers of the Spare Reunion:
President -- Charles M. Spare, 1903-1917; Gilbert Spare, 1917-1927; John Spare Grater, 1927-1929; Howard Y. Spare, 1929-
Vice-President -- John G. Spare, 1903-1917; John Spare Grater, 1917-1927; Howard Y. Spare, 1927-1929; Jacob S. Oberholtzer, 1929-
Secretary -- Miss Adele Spare Wile, 1903-1927; Mrs. Jane Moyer Hunsberger, 1927-
Treasurer -- Dr. Sarah A. Spare, 1903-1917; William Byrd Northam, 1917-1927; Alfred Thorpe, 1927-1930; Michael S. Oberholtzer, 1930-
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