BIO: Clarence E. SPAYD, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 351-352.
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  SPAYD, CLARENCE E., editor of the Harrisburg Star-Independent, was 
born in Dauphin county, Pa., December 9, 1869, and is a son of John W. 
Spayd and a grandson of Jonathan Spayd.  Like so many young men of 
ambition he has had a remarkably successful experience in all his 
undertakings.  At five years of age he was sent to the district school 
at Carsonville, in the upper end of this county.  In 1880 he entered 
the Millersville (Pennsylvania) State Normal School, and it was while 
at that institution that he became interested in penmanship, which 
resulted in his being the recognized expert in writing in the school.  
After spending several years at that institution, during which time he 
pursued a number of scientific studies, and a special course marked out 
by his own inclinations, he followed a line of reading embracing all 
branches of science and literature.  It was during his school days that 
he made the acquaintance of Miss Edith A. Mooney, a talented and 
ambitious young lady, who eventually became his wife. 
  Mr. Spayd spent three years in teaching, devoting the last year to 
the schools of Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa., as assistant principal.  
Having gained considerable prominence as a penman, he was tendered 
several positions by leading schools of the country to teach the art, 
but preferring another field of work he accepted the position as city 
editor of the Harrisburg Independent.  When the Star was consolidated 
with that paper he continued to fill that position.  It was during the 
first years of his newspaper career that the series of articles on 
penmanship which he had been contributing for several years to the 
Popular Educator, an educational magazine published in Boston and 
Chicago, gained so much popularity with teachers of the United States 
that the publishers prevailed upon him to write a book on the subject.  
Shortly afterwards, by working during his leisure hours, a book of 
several hundred pages, entitled "Complete Manual of Commercial 
Penmanship," made its appearance.  It sprung into popularity at once, 
and Mr. Spayd became well known as an author of pronounced ability 
among the leading educators of the country.
  He has been a life-long Lutheran and is a prominent member of 
Memorial Lutheran church at Fifteenth and Shoop streets, Harrisburg, 
where he is closely identified with Sunday-school work, having a class 
of young women.  He is also business manager of the Memorial Lutheran, 
a monthly journal published in the interests of the above church.  Mr. 
Wien Forney, the venerable editor and famous war correspondent, 
retiring from the editorial chair of the daily and weekly Star-
Independent, which he filled for so many years, Mr. Spayd succeeded him 
and now holds that responsible position.  This paper has a very large 
circulation in Central Pennsylvania and is in a very prosperous 
condition.  As the editor of this well-known newspaper he has shown his 
capabilities as a writer and made friends for the paper by his fair 
manner in treating all classes, and honestly advocating the best 
interests of the people.  Although but twenty-six years of age he was 
elected to common council from the Second ward in the spring of 1896.  
He has always been a staunch Republican and is identified with several 
local interests, one of which is the Commonwealth Building and Loan 
Association, of which he is a director.  He is known for his kind, 
generous disposition, and his lively nature, pleasing conversation, and 
courteous and affable manner make him a favorite with all who are 
brought in contact with him.  His residence at 1611 Swatara street is 
one of the coziest in East Harrisburg, being surrounded by a beautiful 
lawn and attractively built.  In his library, surrounded by his books 
and with his wife and daughter, he spends most of his time after 
leaving the Star-Independent office.  He is a liberal contributor to 
many magazines as well as some of the leading metropolitan newspapers 
of the country.  The Chicago Times-Herald is one of his leading western 
papers.  His acquaintance with well-known educational as well as 
business and professional men has been of inestimable value to him in 
his successful career.