Born in Perry County, Ohio, September 20, 1840. He grew to manhood in the neighborhood of his birthplace, removed with his parents to Dane County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, became a captain and served three years, was mustered out and re-enlisted in the Forty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry, in which he was made lieutenant colonel, and served in that position to the end of the war. On July 19, 1866, Mr. Spencer married Josephine L. Rowley, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. In 1868 he engaged in business in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, but in 1870 removed to Algona, Iowa, and entered mercantile business there. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster and served in that position thirteen years, or until 1885. That year he was elected representative from the Kossuth-Palo Alto-Emmet District. In 1893 he was elected county treasurer of Kossuth County, was re-elected two years later and served four years. He was prominent in the business, political and social life of his town and county.