Allen H. Spencer (abt. 1828 - 1891)

Born about 24 Mar 1828 in New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Harriet Newell (Howe) Spencer — married 18 Jun 1848 in Macomb County, Michigan

Descendants

Died 5 Jan 1891 at about age 62 in Harrisville Township, Alcona, Michigan, United States

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Research Notes

Allen's birth place is most commonly given as New York; but can also be found as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont in census records and in the marriage and death records of his children. His marriage to Harriet Newell Howe on 18 June 1848 ^[1] is the first paper record for him.

Allen hasn't been found in the 1850 census, although he has been attributed to various families in this census; researching those individuals disproves them as this Allen Spencer.

Biography

Allen and his family are in Richmond, Macomb County, Michigan in the 1860 ^[2] census.

Allen moved his family up the Shore sometime after the 1870 Census ^[3] was taken and before January 1878, when he is recorded as serving as Marshall in Au Sable Village, Iosco County, Michigan. ^[4]

Allen purchased land in Alcona County just above Iosco County on the Shore in the summer of 1878. The following article was published in the Alcona County Review Newspaper concerning his pending move:

"Farming in Alcona County. A. H. Spencer and family will soon remove to a farm purchased by them back of Harrisville. Mr. Spencer is a man that stands high in this community, and we are sorry to see him go.--Au Sable News. The above is another evidence of the oft repeated fact that when people of the "Shore" want to go into the agricultural business, they invariably buy a farm in Alcona county. Persons not acquainted with the facts, will wonder at this peculiar disposition on the part of the people, and ask why is it so? The conclusion of the whole matter is that Alcona county is the leading farming district along the shore. There are millions in the fertility of her soil, and it only needs to be cultivated to develop the great wealth. The greater portion of the soil in Alpena and Iosco counties is nothing but sand, though both of these counties have some streaks of good arable land. In Alcona the soil is mostly red clay, clay loam, and black muck. The general quality of the soil, however, is clay loam, and produces very bountifully. We venture the assertion that there are larger, better and more well improved farms in Alcona, than in any county north of Bay, and that the condition of crops harvested each year will equal those of any county in the State. All that is needed at present is a home market that will handle the produce of the farmers. When we get this, which must soon be forthcoming, all classes of our farming community will flourish as a green bay tree." Alcona County Review, Friday, April 26, 1878. ^[5]

Allen and his family are in Harrisville, Alcona County, Michigan for the 1880 Census. ^[6] Allen served as Harrisville Township Highway Commissioner after moving to Harrisville Township. ^[4] Allen was widely recognized for the fruit from his orchards especially his plums. ^[4]"

Allen died in 1891 ^[7] from erysipelas, ^[4] an acute disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a streptococcus and marked by spreading inflammation.

Allen's Find-a-Grave Memorial ^[7] incorrectly lists Iosco County, Michigan as his place of death; but he moved from Iosco County to Alcona County in 1878; however there is no death certificate available. The Alcona County Courthouse was damaged by fire and many records were lost.

Newspaper articles published in the Alcona County Review at Allen's death:

"Death of Allan H. Spencer on 1/5/1891 (born 3/24/1828); burial in West Lawn. Death of A. H. Spencer. The community was shocked on Monday at the news of the death of A. H. Spencer after a brief illness of nine days, from erysipelas. It was so short a time since he was around on our streets in the full enjoyment of his health, that but few had learned of his illness until the announcement of his demise. Mr. Spencer came to Alcona county about thirteen years ago, and settled on the section where he has since resided. Hard laborious work enabled him to carve a thrifty farm out of the wilderness. He took a special interest in the cultivation of fruits and his plum orchard was both famous and profitable. Mr. Spencer was public spirited and always took an active interest in matters that promised beneficial results to the community. He was an active member of the Agricultural Society, being at one time its President. He held the office of Highway Commissioner of Harrisville township and prior to locating in Alcona county was marshal of Au Sable village. He possessed a rugged character, was strictly moral and temperate in all things. By his death the community loses an honorable and upright citizen who has done his fair share of work in establishing the fact that agricultural pursuits can be successfully prosecuted in Alcona county."^[4]

"More on the death of Allan H. Spencer. The business of the late A. H. Spencer and his sons is said to have been done in the name of the deceased, and all of the real estate owned by them was recorded in the same way. He left no written will." Alcona County Review, Thursday, January 15, 1891. ^[8]

"More on the death of A. H. Spencer. Whereas, The Omnipotent and Supreme Ruler of the Universe has in His Wisdom seen fit to remove from earth Allen H. Spencer, late President of the Alcona County Agricultural Society, therefore be it Resolved, That in the death of this good and upright citizen this Society has lost a valued and active member whose services in the past will ever be held in grateful remembrance. That while we sincerely regret his departure, we bow in humble submission to Him who knoweth and doeth all things well. And we hereby extend such sympathy as man can give to man, to his friends and relatives in the hour of their affliction, Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Society, that they be published in the columns of the local paper and a copy of them transmitted to the family of the deceased. Geo. E. Gillam, Sec., Thos. Dean, Pres." Alcona County Review, Thursday, January 15, 1891 ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ "Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940," database with images, FamilySearch [1] : 2 March 2021, Allen H Spencer and Harriet M Howe, 18 Jun 1848; citing reference ID , various county clerks and libraries, Michigan; FHL microfilm 979,570.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch [2] : 18 February 2021, Allen Spencer, 1860.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch [3] : 12 April 2016, Allen H Spencer, Michigan, United States; citing p. 29, family 244, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,187.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} "Death of Allan H. Spencer on 1/5/1891 (born 3/24/1828); burial in West Lawn," [4] accessed 8 January 1891. Alcona County Review, 8 January 1891.
5. ↑ "Farming in Alcona County." [5] accessed 22 November 2022; Alcona County Review, 26 April 1878.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch [6] : 14 August 2017, Allan H Spencer, Harrisville, Alcona, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district ED 3, sheet 21D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0569; FHL microfilm 1,254,569.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch [7] : 13 December 2015, Allen H. Spencer, 1891; Burial, Harrisville, Alcona, Michigan, United States of America, Westlawn Cemetery; citing record ID 115824271, Find a Grave
8. ↑ "More on the death of Allan H. Spencer." [8] accessed 21 November 2022, Alcona County Review, 15 January 1891.
9. ↑ "More on the death of A. H. Spencer," [9] accessed 21 November 2022; Alcona County Review, 15 January 1891.