Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-14

who were at tho time Interested N tn
Spencer Company. Oskaloosa, ana oth-
err Iowa wholesale grocery companies
and F. C. Let's, formerly OF MARSHALL
town. organized the merger OF grocery
properties into the Western Grocei
Company. lf'
Native Of Ohio.
Harry Lindley Spencer was born on
an Ohio farm at Spencer's station,
Guernsey county, Dec. 80, ls42. ana
we'll born. Ills father. Asa Spencer
was a Virginian. born in London coun.
" in 1907. but early emigratng 10
Ohio.
Harry T.. Spencer was the fourth
born and grew to manhood on the tarH,
attending the country schools durihs
the winter and taking his snare
of the work of the farm In the
summer. In that early school life he
gave proof of the qualities that have
been his predominate traits-mentai
keenness. thoroughness and personal
integrity-and ranked easily nj the mead
of mis- class. From that farm home ne
answered his coUntry's call Feb. "
1854, and enlisted as a private soldier
in Company u. Ninth Ohio cavalry, a
regiment that took part In the famous
March to the Sea" In which he serv-
ed until the close OF the war, receiving
his honorable discharge In August
1865.
Enters Business Field.
Less than week after he had put
off the uniform of soldier OF his
Il
an offer of a position as confidential
clerk and bookkeeper at GAINESVILLE, D.
which he accepted and where he TOOK
up his permanent business career. So
well were those first duties performed
that he attracted the attention of 9TH
crs and won for himself several flat
tering business proposals. At the end
of two years he decided in favor of Os-
kaloosa, Iowa, and there formed a part
nership with +. j. Terry, under the
firm name of Terry & Spencer, whole
sale grocers. A year later the firm
was changed to that of Terry. Wright
& Spencer by the association OF
Thomas T. Wright, and again later TO
Wright & Spencer Mr.. Terry retiring
After the death of Mr.. Wright in 1874,
Mr.. Spencer continued for several
years the management Of the business
and in 1880 a new organization was
formed under the name of II. l.. Spen-
Ger & Co., consisting of II. L., Amos +,
and G. n. Spencer and Joseph r. Hague.
Co.. consisting Of Fl. L.. Amos p. and
G.. n. Spencer and Joseph r. Hague,
the latter retiring three years later and
the three brothers assuming entire
ownership and control.
Business Widely Extended.
In Sept. 1855, the II. l.. Spencer
Company was instrumental in the or
ganization of the Tolerton & Stetson
Company. of Sioux City, and year lat
er acquired an interest in the Let's
Fletcher Company, of Marshalltown. OF
which MIR. r. CO Let's was president
In 1892 they associated themselves in
the incorporation of a new company at
Mason City under the name of Let's,
Spencer, Smith Company, of which Mr..
George P. Smith became manager. Lat
er they became associated in the Let's
Spencer Grocer Company, of st. Jo-
seph, No.. as we'll as other enterprises
until it WIS finally decided to incor-
porate their various wholesale grocery
interests under one organization. To
this end the Western Grocer Company
of Iowa. was organized under date OF
Feb. II, 1901.
H. L. Spencer has been continuously
active in the Western Grocer Company
since it's organization, in the capacit!
of first vice president and as member
of the advisory committee
In addition to his interest in the
grocery business he has been connected
with numerous enterprises in other
lines.
He was tireless worker, courteous
conservative and careful in his bust
ness methods, straightforward and con