In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1845, Sullivan county
From The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
J. R. SPENCER, merchant and postmaster, Avilla, Mo., is a native of Missouri, born in Sullivan county, April 11, 1845. His father, Jacob Spencer, being one of the pioneer settlers of that county, coming from Lee county, Ya., at an early day. Our subject served under the stars and stripes during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting at the age of sixteen in the Sixty-sixth Regiment M. S. M., serving in that command eighteen months; was subsequently *a member of the Forty-fourth Missouri Yolunteer Infantry, and held the rank of first sergeant of Company E; participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and the campaign against Hood under General " Pap " Thomas; was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo., in Aug., 1865; returned to the home of his boyhood, where he remained but a short time, coming to Jasper county in 1866, and engaged at farming. He entered the mercantile field at Avilla, in 1871, and was appointed postmaster the following year, since which time he has been a faithful and efficient officer, and to his energy and efforts are the present conveniences mainly due.
He was elected trustee of the township fund in 1874, and during the administration of that office caused the fund to be deposited in the Myers & Mohr Bank, of Carthage, and by the suspension of that concern was obliged to refund to the people a considerable sum of money, which gave him quite a backset. However, lie has been in the main prosperous, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the public. He carries a good stock of groceries and notions, books, stationery, and musical instruments. He also handles farm machinery and sewing machines. Our subject was married Dec. 24, 1868, to Miss Sarah J., Horton, daughter of Cyrus Horton, of Joplin. Mo. Of this union there are five children living: Edward B., Perly T., Elnora, Albert R., and Millie J.
As printed in The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.