SPENCER, George W b 1871 - Putnam

Among the progressive and enterprising citizens of Parke County who have achieved a definitely measure of success in a diversity of vocations and have at the same time assisted materially in the he up building and development of the county is George W. SPENCER, Jr. the present able and popular incumbent of the office of county treasurer, who was for many years one of the most successful and best liked educators and later one of Parke County's enterprising merchants.  He is deserving of mention in a work of the province assigned to the one in hand along with the other leading citizens of Parke and Vermillion counties, because he has led a life that is highly commendable in every respect.  Mr. Spencer was born in Greene Township, Parke County Indiana July 12, 1871 on a farm which his grandfather entered from the government in 1831.  His parents were George W, Sr. and Mary Clark Spencer.  The father also was a native of Parke County born on the farm on which his father, John Spencer settled in 1831 and he has continued to reside there throughout his life and has kept the old place well cultivated and well improved.  The mother of the subject was born at Judson, Parke County and died at her home October 3, 1912.  To these parents 10 children have been born, 9 still living: John living at Russellville Putnam County; Jesse lives on the home farm; Allen remained on the homestead; William died when 13; George W. Jr. of this review; Frank lives near Parkeville, this county on a farm; Elsie is the wife of Elmer M. McCutcheon of Milligan, Parke County; Aria lives with her father at the home place; Wilbur lives near Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana; Fred is farming in Parke County.  George W. Spencer, Sr. was born November 14, 1840. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and at one time he served as trustee of Greene Township.  George W. Jr. spent his boyhood days on the home farm and there assisted with the general work during crop seasons and in the winter he attended the rural schools in his neighborhood. After graduating from the common schools he attended State Normal at Terre Haute for two years then began teaching in Greene Township of his native county and continued to teach 4 years then taught one year in Mecca and four terms at Milligan, all in Parke County.  He gave eminent satisfaction as a teacher and his services were in great demand. Finally tiring of school room, he purchased a general store at the town of Milligan before finishing his last term of school.  He was in partnership with his brother; this was sin 1901 and they conducted that enterprise with much success for a period of 7 years or until 1908; his brother however had sold out his interest two years previously to another man. The subject was elected trustee of Greene Township in 1904 and served in that capacity most faithfully until the fall of 1908 when he resigned to accept the office of county treasurer to which he had been elected on the Democratic ticket that year and he made such a commendable showing in that capacity that he was reelected in 1910.  He is regarded as one of the best treasurers the county has ever had being a hard worker careful and honest.  Mr. Spencer was the nominee of his party for representative to the Legislature in 1912. The county is nominally Republican by about 600 votes but owing to our subject's prominence with all classes he was again elected to the office sought. He enjoys the distinction of being the only Democratic representative from his county in 50 years except the hon. Dick Miller elected in 1896 by a fusion of Democrats and populists. Mr. Spencer was married June 3, 1896 to Cora A. STUART, daughter of Zeno and Jane Hadley Stuart a prominent family of Hendricks County, Indiana. She was formerly a teacher having taught two or three years in her native county and one year in Henry County this state.  Her father was a native of North Carolina .  He and his wife are both now deceased.  They became the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom are now living namely: Melvin who makes his home in Hendricks Co; Cora A wife of Mr. Spencer, Tillie, deceased; Osie wife of John W. Figg ex county superintendent of Hendricks Co but now teaching at Plainfield, Indiana; Olie is the wife of Frank McCormick, a merchant of Danville, Indiana; To Mr. and Mrs. Spencer six children have been born: Hoyt S. born April 14, 1897 was graduated form the common schools and is now in high school.  Gladys born October 16, 1898 is also in high school.  Dwight, born January 27, 1901; Olive born September 22, 1902; Keith born December 11, 1905 and Kent October 8, 1907.  Fraternally, Mr. Spencer belongs to the Modern Woodmen at Waveland Montgomery County since 1908.  He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Rockville.  The family attends the Christian Church and are faithful in their support of the same. - kbz