Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana . original family were silk manufacturers expelled fromFrance. They went over into England and Scotland, fromthere to Marvland some time before 1700, thence to Ohioabout 1802. Daniel Spencer was graduated as a civil engineer andsurveyor, but later studied law with Secretary Stanton inCadiz, Ohio In a letter from Mr. Stanton to the family hftstated that Mr. Spencer was the brightest law student hehad ever had in his office. Mr. Spencer died while still a young man, leaving hiswife with two young children to care for. She at once begantea


Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana . original family were silk manufacturers expelled fromFrance. They went over into England and Scotland, fromthere to Marvland some time before 1700, thence to Ohioabout 1802. Daniel Spencer was graduated as a civil engineer andsurveyor, but later studied law with Secretary Stanton inCadiz, Ohio In a letter from Mr. Stanton to the family hftstated that Mr. Spencer was the brightest law student hehad ever had in his office. Mr. Spencer died while still a young man, leaving hiswife with two young children to care for. She at once beganteaching school, and was one of the foremost and best femaleteachers in tliat part of Ohio. She was a remarkably wellread woman and her children were reared in the rej5ningatmosphere of books and music. They always had theirown books and papers, among them being Grace Green-woods Little Pilgrim, published in Philadelphia. The family has been represented in every war from Rev-Note.—The above sketch was prepared at the request of the Board LAURA E. HO^VET. LAURA E. HOWEY. 26 A olntionary times down to the Spanish-American war, andalso in prominent pnblic positions, notably John C. Spencerin Tylers cabinet, and Judge Rufus Peckham, of the UnitedState Supreme bench, who is still living. Laura E. Spencers grandparents in Maryland, theIjaceys, were slave owners. On their removal to Ohio theirslaves were taken with them. After their arrival in theBuckeye State they gave freedom and land to their slaves,who settled near tlie Lacey home. Subsequently the Laceysbecame strong anti-slavery people and maintained what wastermed an underground railroad station to assist fugitiveslaves into Canada. Two of the old homesteads are still owned by the familyafter nearly one hundred years of occupancy by somebranch of the descendants. The family is a long-lived one, some members living to beover ninety^ and now and then over one hundred years ofage; strong and vigorous, both mentally and


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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookidcontribution, bookyear1876