SPENCER, Paul G.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman Brothers, 1893) Page 153
Paul G. SPENCER is one of the oldest settlers now living in this section of Parke County and was born in Washington County, Indiana June 13, 1824, to James K. and Martha GUTHRIE Spencer. His father was a South Carolina and was born in Chester District March 24, 1794. He was the son of John Spencer, who was of Scotch-Irish birth and came to America about 1790 locating in South Carolina where he married Miss Nancy KALMORE. He was a weaver by trade, but farmed after he came to America. On the voyage to this country, Mr. Spencer's mother died and was given a sea burial. Nancy Spencer wife of John was an acquaintance in her maiden days of Mr. Spencer, when they lived in the northern part of Ireland. She came to America before the Revolutionary War in which her father and brother John took an active part. John K. was taken prisoner and kept for 7 years at the end of which time he came home, poor in flesh but rich in hope. John Spencer, the grandfather of our subject and his family came to Indiana and located in Washington County where his son, the father of our subject had come about a year previously or in 1816. John was a member of the Associate Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Elder. He was an early pioneer of Washington Co, and entered 320 acres of Government land which he improved. He was the father of 7 to each of whom the youngest excepted, he gave 40 acres and to him he gave 80. The children were Jennie who married Thomas TIPPEN; James K; Robert; Thomas; John; Alexander and Moses. The father of this family died about 1824, and the mother passed away at the home of her youngest son in Union Township, this county about 1836. James K. Spencer was reared in South Carolina on the old homestead and in 1815 emigrated to Kentucky, where he worked on a farm one year at the end of which time he came to Indiana and located in Washington Co, where his father had given him 40 acres of good land. In Feb 1820 he was united in marriage with Miss Martha, daughter of Paul GUTHRIE, who was a miller and wheelwright by trade. Mr. Guthrie came from Ireland when a young man and was married in South Carolina to Miss Elizabeth BELL who was also of Irish birth. Martha (GUTHRIE) Spencer was born September 17, 1795 in Center District South Carolina where she was reared and educated. After her marriage with Mr. Spencer, the young couple went to Washington County and settled on land which they proceeded to clear and improve. James Spencer continued to live in Washington co. until 1833, when he came to Parke where he rented land for a year or two. He then sold his estate in Washington County and invested the money in a farm in Union Township; besides enter 90 acres of Government land in Putnam County in 1834. He was the father of 13 children of whom 12 reached their majority. One child died at the age of 2 and but two of the remainder are still living, our subject and James K. The children who are deceased are Elizabeth J. who married Jackson HARBESON and died October 25, 1881; John J., who was a farmer and died February 21, 1893; Agnes, deceased wife of John CUNNINGHAM; Margaret who was the wife of Robert HARBISON who died in Kansas in 1877; Martha who married Joseph K. Spencer and died in Kansas March 17, 1893; Robert, who died in Portland Mills 1865; Mary who died in Kansas March 26, 1889; Sarah, who married William STURGEON and died in Union Township this county in 1864; Thomas and Alexander who were twins the latter dying June 15, 1838 and former March 30, 1862 in the late war. Alexander, Jr. also died in the Civil War in an engagement at Cumberland Gap. The father of our subject was a member of the Associate Presbyterian Church and Elder in that denomination for many years. Politically, he was a staunch Democrat and strong Abolitionist in the struggle between the North and South. He came here in an early day and battled with difficulties suffering many of the hardships incident to the times He and his wife reared a large family. Out subject lived in Washington County until he reached his 9th year receiving his education in the subscription schools of that early day, where he obtained a fair knowledge of books. He remained with his mother until his marriage which was celebrated September 30, 1847. The lady of his choice was Miss Jane R. STEEL, who was the daughter of Nathaniel Steel, a farmer of Parke County, who had emigrated here from Virginia about 1833. Mrs. Spencer, the wife of our subject, was born in Virginia January 31, 1828. She was reared in her native state and was five when she came West with her parents. One child came to bless this union, Nathaniel, who lives in this township and is a farmer and carpenter by occupation. The good wife and mother passed away at her home August 10, 1848. On 12 February 1851, Mr. Spencer was united in marriage with Catherine a daughter of Jacob WESTBROOK who lived in Monroe County near Bloomington; this state and was a native of South Carolina coming to Montgomery County in 1833. Catherine was born October 28, 1827 and was but six when her parents emigrated to Indiana. After his first marriage, Mr. Spencer located on the Big Raccoon, where he remained from the spring of 1848 to 1865 when he removed to the farm where he now lives. To himself and wife were born six children: five of whom are still living: William W, a resident of Crawford County, Illinois where he is engaged in farming; Tilament who resides in Russell Township, Putnam County, this state; James A and Alexander (twins) the former living in Carthage, o where he is engaged in stock trade and the latter a stock dealer in Crawford County, Illinois and Mary, wife of J. W. RAMSEY a resident of this township. Sarah Elizabeth died at age four months. Mr. Spencer owned 270 acres of finely cultivated land but recently divided a port of it among his children, keeping 110 acres for himself, and he has since purchased 45 acres more, making a total of 155 acres for his own farming purposes. He has given all his children a good school education, besides about $2,800 apiece as a start in life. This includes the expenses of their education. He is a general farmer and stock raiser and has been keeping some fine horses, four of which he sold at $400 each when two years old. Politically, Mr. Spencer was reared a Democrat and Abolitionist, but when the Republican Party was formed he cast his ballot for its candidates till St. John was nominated since which time he has been a strong Prohibitionist. He has always been a very staunch temperance man and is in favor of the principles of the Prohibition platform. He was a candidate for County Commissioner on the Prohibition ticket but was defeated. In religious life he and his wife are members of the united Presbyterian Church and has served as an Elder since 1865. - transcribed by kbz
Source: Taken from: The 1880 History of Parke
County, Indiana. J. H. Beadle. Chicago: H. H.
Hill)
SPENSER, Paul G. farmer and stock raiser, Portland Mills, was born June 13, 1834 in Washington, IN. He is the son of Martha (GUTHRIE) Spenser, both natives of SC; they came to Parke Co. With its early pioneer settlers. Paul G. Spenser's paternal grandparents were John and Nancy (KENMORE) Spenser. They emigrated from Ireland to America before the revolution. His gr. Grandmother on his father's side died in 1790 while on her way from Ireland to America and was bur. At sea. His maternal grandparents were Paul and Elizabeth (BELLE) GUTHRIE. They emigrated to America from Ireland some time during the last quarter of the 18th century. His paternal great grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His father, James K. Spenser, died April 1, 1846 and his mother, Martha Guthrie Spenser June 4, 1862. Paul G. Spenser was married September 30, 1847 to Jane R. STEELE, the daughter of Nathan and Patsey (McCutchan) Steele. She died within one year after married leaving one child, Nathaniel S., who has been married to Elizabeth BURNSIDE. He was married a second time, August 12,1851 to Catherine WESTBROOK of Monroe County, In daughter of Jacob and Ann (BOYD) Westbrook. There are 5 children by this union: William W married to Margret PORTER; Tillman R; James A; Alexander T; and Mary R. Paul G. Spenser and his first wife, and his ancestors before him, were members of the Assoc, Presbyterian Church. Since the organization of the United Presbyterian Church soc. In Greene Township, he and his wife have been members of the same, and he was elected to the eldership at the death of his brother Joseph, which occurred in 1865. Mr. Spenser began for himself with nothing but a firm good will to put in practice the dictates of his best judgment. He went in debt for the first 80 acres of land he owned, and it was no more or less than a green forest without a stick of timber missing. He now owns a good farm of 270 acres, well improved. He takes much pride in raising a good grade of stock. He deals principally in cattle, both short horns and others. His horses are of superior stock, having taken several premiums at the state fairs. He has raised several horses that have brought him $400 each. Mr. Spenser's education was such as the pioneer schools furnished. In politics he is a republican and has ever been. To use his own language, "He was rocked in an abolition cradle." - kz