Spencer - George Washington - 1922
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, July 21, 1922
George W. Spencer, of Terre Haute [Vigo County] who suffered a apoplectic stroke in April and a third recurrence on Monday morning died in Union Hospital, Terre Haute, just before noon on Wed. Funeral service at home in Terre Haute at one this afternoon. Burial at Rockville.
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Aug 11, 1922
George Washington Spencer (II), fifth son of George W. and Mary Clark Spencer, was born on the farm now owned by Jesse Spencer, southeast of town, July 12, 1871. His father, who is still living, was the son of John Spencer, who went from Maryland to Ky, and from that state to Greene Twp in its pioneer period. His mother was a daughter of Eli Clark, another of the sturdy and devoted pioneer citizens who settled Greene Twp. His common school education was supplemented by the full course of the Central Normal College. Another bright student who graduated the same years was Miss Cora Stewart to whom he was marr. at the end of his term of college. He also attended the State Normal. He united with the Christian Church at Rockville under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Barber, transferring his membership to the Central Christian Church in Terre Haute where he and Mrs. Spencer were active members. No man of the temperment, the ability and the character of George W. Spencer could be overlooked by the party to which he belonged and which by being the minority party of both township and County, was compelled to draft its best men. So after a few years of school teaching and business life at Milligan, he was nominated by the Democrats for township trustee. Although he was opposed at the polls by the most popular Republican of the township, he was elected. At the end of his term he was solicited by the Dem of the Co. to take the nomination for Co. Treas. and was elected in 1908 and re-elected in 1910 and in 1912 was elected Representative of the Co. in the Legislature where he soon became known as one of the men of ability. The present road law was principally in his charge; he obtained a statue to the effect that the State's automobile tax should be distributed to the counties on the basis of their gravel road mileage, thus at that time benefiting Parke more than any other. But he was obliged to accept some changes in the ball as he presented it-one which provides for sub superintendent being particularly objectionable to him-as it was his purpose, as far as the law could do so, to remove our road system from influence of partisan politics. Upon his return from the session of the Legislature in 1913, Mr. Spencer entered the Parke State Bank where he remained until the following year, when he was appointed Chief Deputy under Isaac R. Strouse, Collector of Internal Revenue for the 7th District. He went to the desk of Chief Deputy just as the Federal Income tax law was to go into operation. It was on the 9th of Jan 1914. A few weeks later, Mar 15 was the last day for income tax payments. Much anxiety prevailed in Washington as to the result of the income tax payments and collectors were all asked to report immediately after midnight the "approximate" result of collections. Mr. Spencer had organized his force, directing Evansville, Vincennes and New Albany, the other tax payment points, to keep the work up to the minute everyday. At midnight all 3 places reported by telephone. Terre Haute was all clear. Five minutes after midnight Mr. Spencer handed the collector figures for the telegram to the Commission of Internal Revenue. It was not only the first district report out of the 64 then in existence but it was complete. It was ... before the districts of the country had begun to report, their complete collections. Efficient revenue officials become known to all the traveling deputies, particularly the expert men who are sent out at the most unexpected times to check up and report to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Invariably the reports from the 7th District were in the first class for efficiency. George W. Spencer's work was known in Wash. so well that Commissioner Roper offered him a place on his immediate staff upon the consolidation of the two districts in Indiana. Mr. Spencer at that time realized the condition of his health; that he was practically worked down. He did not want to take the place of Chief Deputy at Indianapolis with its increased salary in fact refused by the Collector implored him to accept for one year and he yielded. At the end of his service as Chief Deputy, Mr. Spencer assumed the office of Sec-Trea. of the Wabash Realty Co. at Terre Haute, where the final break down after 8 years intensive work came last April. He seemed on the road to recovery when a second stroke came on Thurs of last week and he was taken to the Union hosp. where he d. at twelve o'clock, Wed July 26. He leaves his wife; three sons, Keith, Hoyt and Dwight and two daughters, Gladys and Olive. Besides his father he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Elmer McCutchin and Miss Aria Spencer and six brothers, John, Jesse, Frank, Allen, Wilbur and Fred. A large # of friends and neighbors in Rockville and from various parts of the country had assembled at the Cemetery and when the casket was opened they passed before it for a last view of the man they so highly esteemed. The pall bearers were officers of the Revenue Dept. with whom Mr. Spencer had served in the old 7th District. Such an assemblage was surely consoling to the grief stricken family.- transcribed by kbz