Horace Spencer was born in Hartford, Ct., March 3, 1805. He left home at an early age, lived in Massachusetts and subsequently married Harriet Parmenter, moving to Brownington, Vt., where he resided until his removal to Illinois. He came here to look when George Burt, Sr., and family opened a farm in Whitefield in 1846, and was so much pleased with the Prairie State that her returned with his family the next winter, building one of the first frame houses on the prairie west of Henry, on the farm he has since resided on. That house catching fire, was consumed, when he immediately built the beautiful structure now adorning the premises.

Five children was granted him by his first wife - Frances, Mary, John, Henry and Horace - Mary and the two latter, with their mother, having preceded him "beyond the beautiful river."
A second wife, Mrs. Eleanor More, daughter of Loton Frisbey, left him Miss Rosa Spencer, a girl of sweet sixteen now, and a student in the Henry high school, consumption claiming her as a victim, and leaving him again a disconsolate widower.
He remained single until last fall when he was united a third time in wedlock with Mrs. Catharine Goodfellow, his housekeeper, who survives him.

Coming to Illinois comparatively poor, Mr. Spencer has so managed his worldly possessions as to have become owner of 283 acres in a body, and one of the best stock farms in the region. He estate will probably be appraised at about $12,000. The deceased was indeed a man - of honor, probity, hospitality, kindhearted, of excellent character and one of our best citizens. He scorned a mean act, in others or in himself.

His late illness was a combination of pneumonia and heart disease, so violent and complicated as to baffle medical skill; and from the first he predicted that he was on his deathbed, and so it proved. His house was crowded with sympathizing mourners at the funeral, and Rev. B. Edmiston, who officiated, referred in fitting terms to the noble character and useful life of the deceased. Over 50 vehicles followed the remains to Sugar Grove cemetery, in spite of the terrible roads. Mr. and Mrs. John O. Dent of Wenona, the latter a daughter, was present at the funeral.
A deaf and blind brother, 83 years old, has lived with Mr. Spencer for several years surviving him. Mrs. George Burt, Sr., is also a sister.
Henry Republican, March 22, 1877