Ingham County Biographical Sketches



Dr. George D. Spencer



Dr. George D. Spencer was a lad of but four years when his father, Truman Spencer, left the State of New York and came with his family to Ingham county and located in the Township of Locke. Truman Spencer was man of good presence, genial, cordial and possessing in more than an average degree the elements that make friends and help to win success. He was always recognized as a man of affairs. Soon after locating in the county, he built a saw mill which he conducted with very satisfactory results for several years. He represented his township on the Board of Supervisors. In the year 1860 he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket with which party he always affiliated. In 1862 he ran again and was defeated and againg in 1864. In 1866 he was renominated for the fourth time and was elected; renominated, 1868, but two days prior to the day of the election, November 1, 1868, he was suddently stricken down in death. At the time of his death Mr. Spencer owned a farm of one hundred twenty acres in the Township of Locke.

Truman Spencer was united in marriage July 11, 1844, to Susan Ann Fisher. Mrs. Spencer was born in New York state, September 28, 1826. Mr. Spencer was born in New York state, July 24, 1824. To Truman and Mrs. Spencer three sons were born: Charles, born 1846, died 1893; the subject of this sketch, George D., born February 24, 1852; James H., born --------.

Mrs. Spencer still lives, at the advanced age of eighty-two years and makes her hone with her youngest son, James H. Spencer, in Locke township.

Dr. Spencer was favored with a good common school education and supplemented this with high school training at Lansing and also at Howell. Attended the University of Michigan for a time and later graduated from the Detroit Medical College, March 4, 1879.

He immediately hung out his shingle and began the practice of medicine in his home town, where by his studios habits, attention to the duties of his profession, he has built up a good business; and by his conscientious Christian life has won and enjoys the confidence of his fellow townsmen to a degree that might be envied.

July 13, 1879, Dr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Rose E. Kline, daughter of a highly respected citizen of the village of Bell Oak. Mrs. Spencer was born December 11, 1854. Her parents were natives of the Keystone State and came to Michigan in the year 1855. Her father, Robert Kline, died September 7, 1885. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mariah Morgan, died June 22, 1894. Mrs. Spencer has two brothers Living. Warren Kline married Libby Brown and they reside in Mecost county. Charles Kline married Carrie Horton; their home is in California. Her brother, Elisha, died in 1888, at the age of 35.

Two children have come to bless the lives of Dr. and Mrs. Spencer: Gertrude, born April 27, 1883, and Charles Truman, bearing the name of his uncle and grandfather Spencer, was born September 13, 1887. Both bright, promising children and with the advantages accorded them, they will grow to lead lives of helpfulness and service.

At the age of twenty-one years Dr. Spencer was elected Township Clerk. For several years he has been lined up with the Prohibition party -- the party that stands for the home, the church, and the school, believing, as he does, the legalized saloon of America is a destroyer of each and all of these. He believes, as many others are coming to feel that this government cannot exist half drunk and half sober; one must give way to the other. The one great curse of our Christian civilization is the legalized liquor traffic of the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church to which the family give loyal support. The doctor fraternalizes with the Maccabees, No. 791 of Bell Oak, also the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Counting by years, the hand on the dial plate is only slightly past the meridian with the doctor. His numerous friends wish for him and his good wife yet many years of love and service for his fellow men.






Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 363 - 364.






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