John H. Spencer

John H. Spencer, son of Mariah and James Spencer, was born in Jay County, Indiana, January 3, 1865. At an early age he came with his parents to Putman County, Ohio. In 1900 he and his wife Clara and family of three children, Lulu, Ervin, and John W. moved from Belmore, Ohio, to Pleasant Bend, Ohio, Henry County, where he was employed as cutter with the stave factory. Here Milo P. and Goldia H. were born, later moving to Holgate, Ohio, where he served as Marshal and Constable for twelve years. Recognizing his ability to enforce the law, in 1917 he was made sheriff of Henry County. April 14, 1917, he was appointed to the office of sheriff for the unexpired term of P. H. Reichert in 1918, and in 1928 he was elected to the office of sheriff. For three terms he served his county in this capacity. His record as a public official was of the highest type. Mr. Spencer was a life long member of the Methodist Church, having first united with the Church at Pleasant Bend, later transferring his membership to Holgate and then to the St. Paul Methodist Church, Napoleon. He was always faithful to the work of the Church. At the time of his death, March 26, 1937, at the age of 72 years he was serving as the custodian for the St. Paul M. E., Church, Napoleon. Fraternally speaking Mr. Spencer was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, Belmore, Ohio, and of the Masonic Lodge, Holgate, Ohio. He was a highly respected member of both Orders. Mrs. Clara Spencer served as Worthy Matron O.E.S. Holgate and Noble Grand of the Rebecca Lodge in Belmore, Ohio, and 25 years as treasurer of the Relief Corps, Napoleon. John W., Milo P. and Goldia H. attended the Napoleon High School where they graduated. Milo Spencer served in the Napoleon State Bank; later he and his wife Winnoa moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., and then, to Toledo, Ohio, serving as buyer with the Lamson Co. 38 years. Lulu Spencer also served the Lamons Co. for 22 years and passed away Jan. 24, 1962. Ervin Spencer served on the public highway and later with his wife Sophia at the Heller Memorial Hospital. He passed away in 1941. His son Wayne Spencer served with the Augenstein and Hoeffel also Hahan Clothing Stores. John W. first served with the Hoy Clothing Store and later joined the Gottachalk Shoe Store assuming ownership in 1957; after 40 years in business he sold out to John Crahan and passed away Feb. 28, 1969. Goldia Wynocker was employed with the Cash Quality Store and later moved to Toledo where she was employed as buyer for Sears Roebuck and Co. for 37years.

Mr. Spencer, elected on the Republican ticket, served the office of sheriff in Henry County with Elza Augenstein, Berton Teeple, and Ed. Veers as his deputies for the three terms.

Obituary

John W. Spencer 70 - 638 West Main St. died at 6:20 P.M. Friday at St. Vincent's Hospital. He had been ill for a week and was admitted to the hospital Friday morning.

For many years a respected member of the Napoleon business community, he had owned and operated Gottschalk's Shoe Store until several days ago, when he completed the sale of the building and inventory of the business to Jack Crahan, operator of an adjacent department store.

A native of northwestern Ohio, Mr. Spencer was born in Belmore on Nov. 12, 1898. He was the son of John H. Spencer and Clara Beisheim. He was married to Frances Funchion on June 6, 1921, and they lived their entire married life in Napoleon.

As a young man Mr. Spencer first worked at Hoy's Clothing Store. In 1919 he became employed at Gottschalk's Shoe Store and spent the remaining 40 years of his business career there. In 1957 he assumed ownership of the business and the building in which it is located.

Mr. Spencer was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Mrs. William (Yvonne) Bridenbaugh, Jackson, Mich., Mrs. Bruce (Betty) Lemon, Toledo and Mrs. Lyle (Barbara) Sonnenberg, Napoleon, Ohio; 16 grandchildren and one brother Milo, Toledo and sister, Mrs. Goldia Wynocker, Waterville.

Submitted by Mrs. Alvin W. Wynocker