**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Elijah D. SPENCER Pages 841-842, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin Note: Portrait of E. D. Spencer in the book [Surnames: BROWN, CAYWOOD, FINK, GRIM, GROVE, MARCHANT, MORAN, PINEGOR, SELDOMRIDGE, SNOW, SPENCER] ELIJAH D. SPENCER. As the world moves on in her circled orb and Mother Earth grows rapidly older, the spirit of progress seems more and more to assert itself, and every day we see wonderful exhibitions of the indomitable courage and energy that master all adverse circumstances. The pathway of a poor boy, deprived in childhood of his natural protectors, must necessarily be beset on all sides with obstacles, yet how often these boys gain both popularity and wealth in after life. It would seem that adversity develops greater tact and enterprise than can be known to those surrounded by comforts. Thus the self-made man is in most cases the successful man. He of whom we write comes of substantial ancestry, and traces his lineage back to John and Icy (Snow) Spencer, whose son David, was born March 19, 1768 and died August 29, 1823. On June 1, 1793, he was united in marriage to Mary Grove, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Grove. She was born February 23, 1772, and died June 11, 1845. Their children were named respectively; John, Elijah, James D., Reuben, David and Elizabeth. While in his early manhood, David Spencer, Jr. in 1833 removed to Illinois, locating in Peoria County, and afterward purchasing a farm in Orion Township, Fulton County, where he located. In Canton, Ill., on April 9, 1835, the ceremony was performed which transformed Miss Elizabeth A. Grim, of that city, into Mrs. David Spencer. Mrs. Spencer was the daughter of Phillip and Mary (Seldomridge) Grim, natives of Virginia, whence they removed at an early day to Illinois. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Grim were Jacob, John, Mary, Phillip, Margaret, Catherine, David, Sarah, William, Susanna and Lavinia. Immediately after their marriage David Spencer and his wife settled on his farm in Orion Township and in the duties accompanying rural life, as well as in the following of his trade of a cooper, Mr. Spencer passed the remainder of his days. His family was increased by the birth of seven children, who bore the following names: Mary Elizabeth, Elijah Douglas, Louisa Jane, David Benton, Melissa Matilda, Sarah C., and Hanna W. The father died when forty-five years old; the mother survived until 1862, and passed hence when in her forty-fifth year. The gentleman of whom this sketch is written was born on June 17, 1837, to David and Elizabeth Spencer, and was, when only nine years of age deprived of his father by death. His education was limited; in fact, during his entire life he spent less than twelve months in school, and this was scattered through several years. He may, therefore, appropriately be called a self-made man. At the age of eleven, he hired out on a farm, receiving in compensation for his services only $5 per month, and this was devoted to the support of his mother. After continuing to work upon a farm until he was twenty-two years of age, he began life for himself by renting land in Salem Township, Union County. Through the exercise of industry and business management, Mr. Spencer worked his way upward and is now the owner of a farm on sections 11 and 12, Farmington Township. This estate if free of encumbrance, and is embellished with a commodious residence and such outbuildings as are required on a modern farm. The land is mostly devoted to cereals, and is under excellent cultivation, amply rewarding the toil of the farmer by bountiful harvest of golden grain. When he was prepared to establish a home of his own, our subject was married, November 5, 1861, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Brown) Marchant, the former belonging to that family who first settled in the section of country known as Marchant Settlement (now Farmington Township.) He was born in Berkley County, Va., while his wife was a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Spencer's paternal grandfather, Abraham Marchant died in Ohio, leaving a wife and four children, who afterward located in Illinois. Among the pioneers of Fulton County, Abraham Marchant, Jr., is numbered and his experience as a frontiersman was exciting and extensive. In a little log hut, the best the times afforded, he entertained hundreds of people who came looking for land. Such was the popularity of this pioneer and so many did he assist in their prospecting tours, that the place was named in his honor, Marchant Settlement. He passed from earth, after an honorable and useful career, June 4, 1889, at the advanced age of ninety years and seven months. The family of Abraham Marchant included the following children: Rebecca, who died when an infant; David D., who died April 1, 1884, at the age of sixty-three years; Daniel, Edward and Isaac are deceased; Sarah, who was the wife of Joseph Fink, died in Farmington, leaving three children, John, Martha and Alice, all of whom are married; Matilda, Edwin, George, Francis, Mary C., (Mrs. Spencer,) and Fannie are still living. Matilda is the wife of A. G. Pinegor of Farmington, and has eight children. Fannie married Thomas Caywood, of Chicago, and they have five children. Mrs. Spencer was born at the old homestead September 22, 1842, and attended the High School in what is now Farmington. Of her union with our subject three children have been born; Frank B., married Miss Sarah A. Moran, of Middle Grove. He is book-keeper in the city flouring mills at Canton and was graduated from the Commercial College at Canton; Minnie J. and Elmer D. remain at home. Mrs. Spencer is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her social culture and kindness of heart win for her many warm and lasting friends. Upon political issues Mr. Spencer is in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party, and in national elections votes that ticket, but in local affairs votes for the one he considers best fitted for the office desired. He has attained success slowly but surely, and fully merits the confidence accorded him throughout the community in which he resides. In connection with this sketch, his portrait is presented on another page.