Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-07
HENRY Il. SPENCER.
Sudden End n Long. Eventual
and Valuable Life.

Cincinnati Commercial, Sd
At9o'clock yesterday morning Hon.
Henry E, Spencer breathed his last at
the family residence, No. SO East
Third street. Though in his seventy.
fourth year, Mr.. Spencer was in ex-
cellent health until few days ago,
when the symptoms of pneumonia
developed themselves, and he sue
cumbed to an acute attack of that
malady, which reached a fatal termi-
nation in about sixty hours. He was
an old and hoRored citizen, and of
family that has given its respected
name to one of the townships of the
county, and which is distinguished for
public service. He was the son of
Hon. 0. NJ. Spencer, an early and
prominent pioneer, and grandson Of
Colonel Oliver NJ. Spencer, an officer
Of the revolutionary army, who emf
grated from Morristown, New Jersey,
to Columbia, in 1890. Deceased was
born in Columbia on the 18th of June,
1907. He graduated at Miami Uni
versity while still quite young man,
and afterwards studied law with Chas.
Hammond, Esq. He began practice
at Xenia, Ohio, but shortly afterwards
left it for the editorial chair, editing
the Western Cornet, published at
Xenia. Soon afterwards he located
in Cincinnati, and entertained mer-
camille life. He early took an active
part in local politics, first as a Wing
and afterwards as Democrat, as an
adherent of which party he died.
His first public service was as a mem
Der of the City Council, and about
this time he also edited the Cincinnati
Wing, succeeding James A. Conover,
His work on this paper was during
the exciting Harrison campaign, and
was exceedingly brilliant. In l843 he
was elected Mayor of Cincinnati and
four successive terms, covering eight
years. How great proof of personal
popularity and strength of character
this was may be gathered from the
fact that at that time the duties of the
chief executive of the city administra-
ton of police justice (the headquarters
being where the Henrie House now
stands the control of the police force
and the keeping within bounds of the
other somewhat reckless "bhoys" of
the volunteer fire department. In
deed, one Of the most memorable oe-
currences Of one OF Mayor Spencer's
terms was the quelling of the formi-
dable riot between the Ones" and
the Westerns" on John street near
Second, the Mayor appearing among
the men on large black horse, and
enforcing peace by his personal pres
tige and cool bravery. The President
of the Westerns" was Richard Null
ford, and of the "Ones" Mark
P. Taylor, who succeeded to the May
orally in 1851. In 1852 Mr.. Spencer
assumed the Presidency of the Fire
mems Insurance Company, succeeding
Josiah Lawrence, and held it until his
death, a period of thirtySyears of suc~
cessful underwriting and of the I'M
broken esteem of the people Of Gin
cinnati. Mr. Spencer, on April %,
1884, was married to Miss Henrietta
Halsted, daughter OF Chancellor Hal
sted, of New jersey. His companion
of nearly half century survives him,
with three of ten children-Mrs. W.
+. Williamson, Mrs. DR.. George B.
Orr and Mr., Charles Spencer, of Wal
nut Hills. there being two erandchil-
dren of the deceased in each of the
families Of these. Two sons, George
and Semmes, died after reaching man
hood, and the rest of the children at
an earlier age. Of the brothers and
sisters Of the deceased, Mrs. Semmes,
wife Of Admiral Semmes, of Confed-
crate Navy fame, and Mr.. Frank
Spencer, of this city, are living.