Biography of Maurice W. Spencer, Franklin Co, AR

***********************************************************
Submitted by:
        Date: 16 Aug 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
***********************************************************

SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.

Maurice W. Spencer, a well-known planter and stock raiser of Franklin
County, is a native of Washington County, Ark., and was born April 29,
1840. His parents were Isaac P. and Pinkie H. (Moberly) Spencer,
natives, respectively, of Tennessee and North Carolina. The father
removed from his native State to Arkansas, locating at Cane Hill,
Washington County, where he remained until 1870, when he went to
Charleston, and in 1875 went to Yell County, Ark., where he operated a
saw-mill until his death, which occurred June 11, 1884, at the home of
our subject. He took an active interest in educational matters, and
was liberal in his religious belief. The mother of our subject died
March 13, 1881; her children were: Margaret, wife of Dr. Kelleam; Mary
J., wife of Col. A. V. Rieff; Hiram O., who was killed in the battle
of Prairie Grove during the late war; Kate, now Mrs. J. M. Pettigrew,
and Maurice W. The latter was educated at Cane Hill College until
fifteen years of age, when he entered the store of A. W. Dinsmore &
Co., of Bentonville, where he clerked two years. He then went to
Charleston and engaged in merchandising with his brother, Hiram O. In
1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served in the commissary
department until the close of the war, returning to Charleston from
Texas in 1866. The following year he engaged in farming and
merchandising from 1869 to 1879, in 1879 removing to his present farm,
which consists of 220 acres, all under cultivation. May 23, 1861, Mr.
Spencer married Sally A. Richardson, who was born December 9, 1849,
and is a daughter of E. M. Richardson, of Franklin County. Mr. and
Mrs. Spencer have eight children, viz.: James H., John I., Susie H.,
William M., Americus V., Mary K., Eugene L. and Felix D., all at home
except the eldest, who is attending medical lectures in Louisville,
Ky. Mr. Spencer is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.