My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES F. SPENCER.
Charles F. Spencer is one of the leading members of the Shawnee County bar. He was born in Johnson County, Indiana, June 22, 1854, and is a son of George W. and Ann (Brewer) Spencer. His father was a native of New York State and after living in Michigan and Indiana for a time came to Kansas in 1856 as a Free-State man, and located in Topeka, which continued to be his home up to the time of his death, in January, 1881. He was one of the most prominent and respected residents of Shawnee County.

Charles F. Spencer came to Topeka in the spring of 1857 and has lived here continuously ever since. He received his education in the common schools and Topeka High School, read law in the office of A. H. Case, was admitted to the Shawnee County bar in 1878, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Topeka.

In 1883 he was elected county clerk of Shawnee County on the Democratic ticket and served one term. He was one of the two Democrats first elected to office in Shawnee County. In 1889 he was appointed by Governor Humphrey as the Democratic member of the Board of Police Commissioners of the city of Topeka, was reappointed by the same Governor in 1891, and served four years with Dr. Francis S. McCabe and P. I. Bonebrake as the other members of the board.

Mr. Spencer was a Democrat up to the time his party became fully allied with the Populist party, at which time he became a Republican. He was elected city attorney of Topeka as a Republican in 1901, reelected in 1903, and served four years. At the expiration of his service as city attorney, he was employed by the mayor and council to compile and revise the ordinances of the city.

Mr. Spencer was married in 1884 to Belle Alexander, a daughter of Col. W. D. Alexander, who died at Topeka in 1899 and was one of the most honored and esteemed residents of Shawnee County. One son was born as the issue of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have a very comfortable home in Topeka.

Mr. Spencer has for many years been a member of the Kansas State Bar Association. He has a very high standing for ability and integrity at the bar, and the best of records in each of the public positions held by him.