Seymour Horne Spencer (1888-1959) Autobiography

Autobiography of
Seymour Horne Spencer

I was born, I was told at 4 am July 16th, 1888 in the two-story brick home of my parents situated on the Southwest Corner lot of Center street one block East of the main or business street. I was the eleventh child, sixth son and have a younger brother. Perhaps the early hour of my birth has influenced my appreciation of the early morning and made it less hard for me to arise early.

George Boardman Spencer

My father, George Boardman Spencer, suffered a severe case of small pox when upon his mission in Switzerland. This disease was so bad that his spirit left his body for a time and those attending him thought him dead. His spirit came to Utah and mingled with a group of people entering Temple Square. He was pushed to the fringe of the group; came up against the fence or wall of the enclosure. Here he seems to have been told that his earth life was unfinished and he must return and take his body. When his spirit reached his body in very brief time he found them preparing the body for burial. He stated it was repulsive for him to reenter his body and also painful, perhaps like starting the early type Ford after a cold night. The disease left deep pock marks on father's face so he thereafter wore whiskers. I never saw him when he did not have long, gray whiskers.

Seymour Horne Spencer (1888-1959)

Seymour Horne Spencer
Grandpa Spencer
Born:	16 Jul 1888 Paris, Idaho
Died:	11 Sep 1959 Salt Lake City, Utah
Father:	George Boardman Spencer
Mother:	Leonora Taylor Horne
Siblings:	Lucy Isabella Spencer Leonora Horne Spencer Lillan Horne Spencer George Boardman Spencer Howard Spencer Baby girl Spencer Mary Ellen Spencer Orson Horne Spencer Herbert Leo Spencer Seymour Horne Spencer Edwin Horne Spencer
Married:	13 Mar 1925 Salt Lake City, Utah
Spouse:	Sarah Sophronia Quayle
Children:	Helen Jean Spencer Robert William Spencer Norma Spencer Beth Spencer Margaret Joan Spencer

History of Idaho: The Gem Of The Mountains, Volume 4, 1920, Page 172:

                   SEYMOUR H. SPENCER.

Seymour H. Spencer, the popular county superintendent of schools in Bear Lake county, is a native son of that county, born in Paris, July 16, 1888 , his parents being George B. and Leonora (Horne) Spencer. The father was born in Massachusetts and the mother Utah, but both took up their residence in Bear Lake county, Idaho, many years ago. In 1849 George B. Spencer crossed the plains to Utah, where he worked at farming and later acquired a tract of land, which he operated until 1874, when he removed to Bear Lake county, Idaho. Here he made a desert entry, and bought land which he improved and cultivated, operating the same place ever since. He now lives practically retired having reached the age of eighty years. In his time he held a number of public offices and was always very active in politics. He served as treasurer of Bear Lake county, as judge of the probate court and as sheriff. He has always been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was in the bishopric of one of the Paris wards for some time and filled  a three year mission in Switzerland, Germany and France. His wife is still living.

Seymour H. Spencer was reared and educated in Paris and was the first male graduate of the Fielding Academy of Paris, there being five girls and himself graduated in 1909. He then taught school in Paris for four years and in the country for one year, following which he spent two and one-half years in the University of Utah, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. He then assumed the duties of superintendent of schools, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1916 and reelected in 1918. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Paris city council, with which he has been connected for several years. He is first counselor to Bishop Morris D. Low, of Paris second ward, and has held various other offices in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has interests in farming and cattle raising, in both of which he has met with considerable success. He is a strong supporter of the democratic party and active in political work. He takes an earnest interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides.