Spoon, William L. (William Luther), 1862-1942

William Luther Spoon (1862-1942), a native of Alamance County, N.C., attended the University of North Carolina where he was a member of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society. After graduating he worked as a surveyor, teacher, inventor, map maker, and traveling salesman. After marrying Addie Vernon Neville, he was appointed supervisor of public roads in Alamance County and worked as an agent of the United States Department of Agriculture.

From the description of William L. Spoon papers, 1705-1928. (East Carolina University). WorldCat record id: 310981363

Civil engineer and good roads advocate of Alamance County, N.C.

From the description of William L. Spoon papers, 1858-1957 (bulk 1895-1920). WorldCat record id: 25305704

William Luther Spoon (1862-1942) was born in Alamance County, North Carolina. Spoon first attended Graham Normal College (later Elon College) and then enrolled at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating in 1891 with B.S. and B.E. degrees. He later worked as an engineer with the North Carolina Geological Survey, as a salesman for Good Roads Machinery Company, as a Senior Highway Engineer in the United States Department of Agriculture's Office of Public Roads, and in private engineering.

From the description of William Luther Spoon papers, 1900-1938 [manuscript] (North Carolina State University). WorldCat record id: 469295525

From the description of William Luther Spoon, Jr. papers, 1900-1938 [manuscript] (North Carolina State University). WorldCat record id: 489117227

From the guide to the William Luther Spoon Papers, 1900-1938, (Special Collections Research Center)

William L. Spoon (1862-1942) was a civil engineer and good roads advocate of Alamance County, N.C. Spoon was the son of Georg Monroe and Nancy Stafford Spoon. Following the death of Georg Monroe Spoon during the Civil War, Nancy Stafford Spoon married Michael Shoffner, a farmer and miller of Hartshorn, Alamance County, N.C., on whose farm William L. Spoon spent his early youth. Spoon began his education in the public schools of Coble Township, later moved to the Oakdate Academy for one term and the Friendship School in Coble Township for two years. He turned to farming on his stepfather's land and taught in public schools in his neighborhood until 1886 when he entered a college preparatory course at Graham Normal College (later Elon College) at Graham, N.C. The following year, at the age of 25, he entered the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1891 with B.S. and B.E. degrees.

After graduation, Spoon served as an engineer with the North Carolina Geological Survey, supervising diamond drilling for coal and marble at various locations throughout the state, 1891-1892. He also surveyed and produced a map of Alamance County, N.C., 1893-1894. Following this venture, he entered into private road work, largely in Alamance and Orange counties, N.C.

In July 1895, Spoon went to Texas where he obtained a teaching position in the town of Moody. After summering in North Carolina, he returned to Texas in August but was forced to return again to North Carolina after failing to find work. Upon his return, he operated as an independent engineer until June 1897 when he became a road superintendent and county engineer for Alamance County, N.C., a position he held until January 1901.

During 1901 Spoon traveled in North Carolina and Tennessee as a salesman and road machinery-construction expert for the Good Roads Machinery Company of Kennett Square, Pa. Later the same year, he was with the Good Roads Train, staging road construction demonstrations in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. In 1902 he engaged in private engineering work for Erwin Cotton Mills Company of Durham, N.C. He then received an appointment as a special agent for the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Public Roads, an affiliation he maintained with various promotions until April 1909. After leaving the Department of Agriculture, he became a highway engineer for the North Carolina Geological Survey and served as the highway engineer for Forsyth County, N.C., 1911-1913. He later returned to the office of Public Roads as a senior highway engineer, 1913-1920.

Though Spoon officially left federal service in 1920 and became a partner in the firm of Spoon and Lewis, Consulting Engineers, in Greensboro, N.C., he continued to receive assignments from the Office of Public Roads until 1931, when age regulations barred him from further service.

Spoon was married to Susan Addeline Vernon Neville (called Addie) in 1897. They had two children: Nancy Miriam and William Mozart. After Addie's death in 1936, Spoon married Ruth Baldwin in 1940. A daughter, Willie Ruth, was born in 1943, shortly after William L. Spoon's death.

From the guide to the William L. Spoon Papers, 1858-1957, (bulk 1895-1920), (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)