Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Spencer, Edwin R. 1912 May 21, 1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Blood pat.blood@gmail.com April 15, 2011, 3:03 am Belding Banner – Thursday, 23 May 1912 SPENCER, Edwin R. 1912 DOD: Tuesday, 21 May 1912 Belding Banner – Thursday, 23 May 1912 STRICKEN DOWN FAR FROM HOME Edwin R. Spencer Dies of Pneumonia at Portland, Oregon. Was One of Belding’s Best Business Men. Closely Identified With History and Growth of City Our city was greatly shocked Tuesday morning when a message came from Portland, Oregon, that Edwin R. Spencer had died in the hospital there at one o’clock a.m. Seven weeks ago Mr. Spencer left here for a trip through the Southwest intending to visit the Pacific Coast before returning, making stops at different points of interest and renewing acquaintances with old friends whom he chanced to meet on the journey. He left here in his usual health and good spirits anticipating a pleasant outing from business cares. He went to Texas, Mexico, Arizona, California and from there to Oregon. Frequent letters to his family noted that he was enjoying the trip and in good health. Before leaving San Francisco for Oregon he wrote Mrs. Spencer that he expected to take the steamer from there to Portland. Sunday afternoon a message to Mr. Foster, his son-in-law, from Palmer Fales, notified him of his serious illness with pneumonia in the hospital of the Good Sheppard in Portland. Mr. Foster immediately left for Grand Rapids by auto but did not arrive in time to take the evening train for Chicago. Later another message arrived stating his condition was more alarming and early Monday morning Mrs. Spencer and daughter Maud and son left by auto and caught the first train with Mr. Foster at Grand Rapids for their long journey to his bedside hoping to reach there before he passed away. Several messages came Monday, one from himself to his wife and brother A L. Spencer, the last one at six o’clock p.m. from Palmer Fales who was in constant attendance conveying the sad news that there was no hope. A telegram of his death reached his family who arrived in St. Paul, Tuesday. It is expected they will reach Portland Thursday evening and start on their return with the remains Friday arriving home Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Edwin R. Spencer was sixty years old being born in Otisco, March 28, 1852. He was a son of the late Ambrose Spencer, a pioneer of this township. He taught district school a few terms and came to Belding about thirty-five years ago engaging with J. M. Earle in a general store and drug business. In later years he engaged in several other commercial business interests which were successful under his management. Mr. Spencer was the first mayor of the city holding the office two terms and when the Peoples Savings Bank was organized was elected its president which he held continuously until a few months ago. He has been a director in the Belding Building & Loan Association since its organization and his council and judgment was much sought after and respected. In all matters of business he was careful and conservative and his advice and keen judgment in these lines will be greatly missed by his large circle of friends. His death is a distinct loss to the city in the building of which he has been an important factor. Belding Banner – Thursday, 6 June 1912 There was a very large gathering at the late residence of Edwin R. Spencer Friday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock to pay their last respects to the deceased. The business places in the city were closed during the funeral hour and many business men, old neighbors and friends were present. Rev. Edrie Collins of this city and Rev. J. W. Meese of St. Louis, Mich., a former pastor of the Church of Christ, and a warm friend of the deceased officiated. Mrs. Merl Rummler and Mrs. W. B. Reed sang accompanied by Mrs. W. J. Benedict. A profusion of beautiful flowers and floral pieces covered the casket. The pall bearers were W. L. Cusser, H. A. Smith, George W. Moulton, Frank Hudson, H. J. Connell and W. F. Bricker. The following obituary written by his daughter, Maude Spencer Foster was read by Rev. Meese: Edwin R. Spencer was born March 28, 1852 in Smyrna, Michigan. He was the youngest of five children, his mother having died when he was about four years of age. His childhood and boyhood days were passed upon his father’s farm and in attending the Smyrna school. When a very young man he began teaching and held the position of school master in different district schools around Smyrna, Otisco and Greenville. A short time following this during which time he enjoyed the privilege of a few months in college, he came to Belding, locating here in 1878. A year later he was married to Miss Abigail Twadill of Grattan, who ever proved a devoted, helpful and loving wife. To them were born two children, the little son having passed away twenty-two years ago. Many lessons can be drawn from this good man’s life; he was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen and always adhered to the truth. The line “An honest man is the noblest work of God,” was the grandest sentiment in the beautiful poem to him. To those who knew him best Mr. Spencer was a man of no small literary attainments and was familiar with parts of nearly all the English master pieces and very familiar with the Bible. Being of Scotch descent he had that tenacity of purpose and great desire to win out whenever he felt he was in the right. His daughter whom you will graciously pardon for mentioning herself in connection with this obituary, but who wishes to pay in these poor remarks but in the best manner that she is capable a last tribute to one of the very best of men and the grandest father it seems to her who ever lived. My father’s favorite quotation was the last stanza of “Thanatopia” which expresses exactly the way he lived and the way he died: “So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” Ever kind, encouraging and helpful toward little children and young people and tender and respectful to old age. Not like the flaming rose or the tall and stately lily both of which he loved so well but like his favorite flower the morning glory he met each new day in a bright, joyful and unassuming manner and like the morning glory closed in late afternoon instead of evening as it seems that it should have been. He departed this life May 21, 1912 being at that time 60 years, 1 month and 28 days old. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/spencer11430nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb