Francis Spencer grew up on his 1000-acre family farm in Arundel, and even as a
boy was interested in everything mechanical. Unable to afford college during the Depression years, he began working at Pepperell at the age of 17. He would work from 6:45 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. in order to prove himself, and he moved from one department to another learning the ropes. When he developed "cotton fever" from the dust in the picker room, he tied a towel around his head to stop his nose bleeds so that he could continue working.
