A native of Saybrook, Connecticut, a son of Sylvester Spencer, was born on the 6th of June, 1824. At the age of twelve years he went to New York city, and served as a runner boy in a bank for three years; then went to Great Bend, Jefferson county, in the northern part of the state, and clerked in a store; a few years later became proprietor of the store; remained in that place about twelve years, in mercantile trade, and in the winter of 1856 settled in Grinnell, where for twenty-one years he was one of the leading business men. After merchandising here alone for three years Mr. Spencer went into the drug business, in partnership with Dr. Thomas C. Holyoke. They instituted at an early day a small exchange office, which grew into the First National Bank of Grinnell, organized by Mr. Spencer and others in 1865, and going into operation in March. 1866. He became its cashier making it not only a very firm but very popular institution. In earnestness and expedition in business Mr. Spencer was a member of the Congregational church since 1860, and has at different times held the offices of trustee and treasurer of the society. He has also been treasurer of Iowa College, which is located at Grinnell. Politically, Mr. Spencer is a republican, with Whig antecedents, but as much as possible he has shunned office, though he is now one of the county supervisors. On the 6th of February, 1850, Mr. Spencer chose for his life companion Miss Mary A. Haworth, of Evans Mills, Jefferson county, New York.