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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of the WEST SHORE OF GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, INCLUDING THE COUNTIES OF BROWN, OCONTO, MARINETTE AND FLORENCE, PUBLISHED BY J.H. BEERS & CO, CHICAGO, 1896, pages 636-637

ROBERT SPICE. If ahistory were written of the brave "boys in blue" of Wisconsin, who valiantly went to their country's defense in her hour of peril, the name of this gentlemanwould find an honorable place in the record. All throughout the long strugglefor the preservation of the Union, he followed the starry banner and continuedat the front even after the surrender of Lee, waiting until the country had adjusted itself to the new surroundings and the rebellious South had once more taken the attitude of good citizenship. The same loyalty that prompted this faithful service has characterized his entire life, and makes him today one of the valued citizens of Oconto county.
Mr. Spice was born in Canada in 1843 and is ason of Thomas and Nancy (Logan) Spice, the former a native of England, the latter of Ireland. In early life they came with their respective families to the New World. The father was connected with the milling business, and was employed in the mill of Col. Balcolm for a number of years. In 1856 he came to Stiles, Wis, in the employ of that gentleman, and continued his work here until after thebreaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted at Chicago, Ill, in the Sixteenth Regiment, United States Regulars for five years, and was there mustered into the government service. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Antietam, and continued at the front until, on account of wounds, he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Green Bay, Wis, where his death occurred in 1871; his wife passed away in Stiles , Wis in 1860. By their marriage there were bornseven children, namely: Mrs. Sarah McCurdy, who died in Stiles in 1862, Robert;Mrs. Elizabeth Temple, of Nebraska; Mary, wife of Dr. Cone, of Indiana; Louisa, who is living in Oconto, Samuel, also a resident of Oconto, William, who makes his home in Portage County, Wisconsin.
Our subject spent his early boyhood in Canada and New York, and acquired his education in the public schools. At theage of thirteen, he accompanied his parents to Stiles, and therefore may wellbe numbered among the pioneers of Oconto county. In 1861 he joined the army asa member of Company H, Fourth Wis. V. I. which was known as the "Oconto CountyRiver Drivers." He enlisted for three years, was mustered into the service at Racine and then went to the front, where he participated in the battles of FortJackson, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge, and in the Red River campaign. In 1864 he reenlist at Baton Rouge in the same company and regiment, and served with theDepartment of the Gulf. For five years he wore the uniform of his adopted land, and was then honorably discharged at Brownsville, Texas, in June 1866, returning home with a military record of which he may be justly proud.
When he againreached Oconto county, Mr. Spice secured employment with the Holt & Balcolm Lumber Company, afterward operating a shingle mill at Humbolt, Wis, for two years. In 1872, he purchased a partially - improved farm of eighty acres in Section35, Little River township, and now has sixty-five acres of land under a high state of cultivation. He follows progressive methods in farming, and has therefore won success in his undertakings. He was one of the original promoters of theLittle River Creamery Company, which has a fine plant, and is doing a good business; in June 1892, he erected Spice's Hall. He is recognized as one of the thoroughly reliable business men of Oconto county, as well as one of the honored pioneers.
Mr. Spice was married in Green Bay, Wis, in October, 1866, to Emily Collins, a native of Oshkosh, this State, and a daughter of Silas and Sarah Collins, pioneer settlers of Oshkosh, the former of whom was killed in a mill at that place; the mother is now living at Bear Creek,

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Emily Spice was born on August 28, 1849, in the developing township of Winnebago, which eventually became Oshkosh. At the time of her birth, very little of the town existed. Her father Silas Collins, and mother Sarah Joslin were true pioneer settlers of Oshkosh. Her parents had bought a lot in the original Village of Oshkosh on April 21, 1848, before Wisconsin had become a state. This land is located at Main and High Street in downtown Oshkosh today.

On October 29, 1860, Silas Collins was working at the sawmill of L.P. Sheldon as head sawyer. While adjusting a log, he slipped on a piece of bark and fell onto the large circular board saw. He was literally cut in half diagonally from his shoulder to his hip. He is buried in Ellenwood Cemetary, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Her mother, Sarah Joslin Collins was left a widow with 6 children. Emily was only 11 years old. Her mother went on to marry 4 other times. See the entirestory under Sarah Joslin.

The story of how Robert Spice and Emily Collins met has never been discovered. They were married in Green Bay, Wisconsin on October 7, 1866, only 4 months after Robert had returned from the war. Maybe the Collins family had lived in Green Bay for a short time. Maybe the single girls went to meet the guys as they were mustered out of the service. However they met,it was a quick romance and a very long life together!

Emily and Robert Spice died only days apart in 1920. She died of heart disease at the age of 70 years, 7 months, 2 days. Her death certificate is registered with the state on page27. All facts on the certificate are accurate, eexcept her father's place ofbirth. It should be New York, not Indiana. Her death notice appeared in the Oconto Reporter.

CALLED BY DEATH - After Ailing Six Years Her Demise Occured Tuesday Morning - RESIDENT HERE HALF CENTURY - Death of Mr. Spice Expected Any Moment - Celebrated Golden Wedding in 1915

Mrs. Robert Spice succumbed Tuesday morning at 10:25 o'clock, death occuring at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ernest Hassenfelt, at 410 Main Street. She had been ailing for the past six years.
Emily Collins was born August 28, 1849 and fifty-three years ago was unitedin marriage to Robert Spice at Green Bay and shortly after the couple came toOconto county and resided at Spice's Corners on a farm but twelve years ago came to reside. For the last two years they have made their home with their daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Spice celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1915.
Deceased leaves to mourn her loss her husband, one son, Delbert Spice, of Manitowoc, and seven daughters, Mrs. George Trepanier and Mrs. Joseph Feifarek of Marinette, Mrs. Will Taylor of Waukegan, Ill, Mrs. George Kinzinger, Mrs. George Schaetz and Mrs. Ernest Hassenfelt of Oconto. One brother and one sister also survive her. They are James Collins and Mrs. Samuel Spice of Oconto. Also twenty-five grandchildren survive.
The funeral will be held Friday, afternoon at three o'clock from the Presbyterian church, Rev. E.W. Wright to officiate, and burial will take place in Evergreen cemetary.
Mr. Spice has been in very poor health for several days and his death may occur at any moment.

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Marriage Certificate Vol 3, Page 256

I hereby certify that onthe 7th day of October A.D. 1866 at the city of Green Bay, the place of my residence in said County, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace inand for said County, Mr. Robert Spice by Occupation a Laborer, age 23 years, aresident of said Green Bay, born in Quebec the son of Thomas and Ann Spice andMiss Emily Collins age 18 years, a resident of Oconto in Oconto County, Wi, born in Oshkosh, Wis, the daughter of Silas and Sarah Ann Collins said parties being white and were, with their mutual consent , legally joined in marriage by me, in the presence of Mr. Joseph Temple of the City of Green Bay, Wi, and MissMary Ann Spice of the City of Green Bay attending witnesses; having first beensatisfied by the oath of Robert A. Spice duly administered by me, that there were no legal impediments to such marriage.
Given under my hand this 2nd day ofNovember, 1867
C.N. Kies Justice of the Peace

1. Laura Elsie SPICE b. 8 Mar 1888; d. 24 Oct 1966, Pewaukee,Wi; bur. Holy Cross Cemetary,Milwaukee,Wi.
2. Adelbert E. SPICE bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wi.
3. Clara SPICE b. 24 Sep 1876, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 6 May 1953, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; bur. Catholic Cemetary,Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin.
4. Ernie SPICE
5. Mary SPICE b. 14 Jun 1883, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. Jan 1969, Waukegan,Lake Co,Illinois; bur. Waukegan or Gurnee Cemetary,Lake Co,Illinois.
6. Nellie SPICE b. 1 Jan 1884, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 24 Apr 1967, Milwaukee,Milwaukee Co,Wisconsin; bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wi.
7. Nelson R. SPICE b. 28 Aug 1867, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 26 Aug 1868, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin.
8. Edwin R. SPICE b. 29 Oct 1869, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 4 May 1871, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin.
9. Adelbert R. SPICE b. 19 Oct 1871, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 5 Dec 1921, Manitowoc,Manitowoc Co,Wisconsin; bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wisconsin.
10. Sarah L. SPICE b. 26 Nov 1872, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. Jul 1879, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin.
11. Olive Mrytle SPICE b. 6 Oct 1874, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 6 May 1893, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin.
12. 1. Erna Melvina SPICE b. 6 Nov 1880, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 22 Jan 1965, Plymouth,Wisconsin; bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wisconsin.
13. Emma SPICE b. 22 Feb 1886, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 1941, Green Bay,Brown Co,Wisconsin.
14. Robert SPICE b. 22 Feb 1886.
15. Mollie Elizabeth SPICE b. 22 Mar 1894, Little River Twp,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; d. 18 Feb 1984, Muskego,Waukesha Co,Wisconsin.

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Silas Collins was born in Broome County, New York on December 31, 1821. Nothing is known about his earlier life. Was he an early settler of NewYork or a recent immigrant? Did he travel to Wisconsin alone, seeking his fortune in the new territory? According to the early Oshkosh newspapers, " He was an early settler of Oshkosh and helped to create the first sawmill ever built here. He was a very worthy man and good citizen. One of the oldest residents of Oshkosh, a man of excellent character, respected and beloved by all who knew him."

1. Clara COLLINS b. 17 Sep 1857, Oshkosh,Winnebago Co,Wisconsin; d. 12 Feb 1941, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wisconsin.
2. 3. Emily COLLINS b. Oshkosh,Wi; d. 30 Mar 1920, Oconto,Oconto Co,Wisconsin; bur. Evergreen Cemetary,Oconto,Wi.

_STATMARRIED

1. 7. Sarah JOSLIN b. 27 Oct 1831, Winsted,Conneticut; d. 10 Oct 1902, Bear Creek,Wisconsin.