WILLIAM E. SPENCER, of Fremont Township, is a native of Philadelphia,
born June 27, 1842, his parents being Edmund and Ellen (Munson)
Spencer. William E. was reared to the age of fifteen years in his
native city, attending the primary school, corner of Thirteenth and
Race Streets, and at Reed Street and Schuylkill Schools. At the age of
fifteen he left Philadephia and went to Iowa, locating at Cedar Falls,
in Blackhawk County. In 1861 he crossed the plains to Virginia City,
Nevada, and followed teaming in that vicinity until 1864, when he came
to California. He managed the Inego ranch for six years. He then bought
a place in the Calaveras Hills. Here he remained for a year and a half,
then sold out and went to the city, where he engaged for nearly three
years as a carpenter. He then came to Santa Clara County, where he
continued in the building trade. He bought thirty-five and
three-fourths acres in 1886, where he now resides, on the San Francisco
and San Jose road, between Mayfield and Mountain View, and at once
commenced its improvement, so that it now gives promise of becoming one
of the most handsome places in this beautiful neighborhood. He has
planted about twelve acres in fruit, one-half of that amount having
been planted in 1887, and the remainder in 1888. The trees are
principally Silver and French prunes, with some peaches, apricots,
nuts, etc. All the improvements, and there are many, have been made
since the present proprietor came into possession. He had previously,
however, improved a place near Santa Clara.
Mr. Spencer was married in this county, to Miss Ella Connell, a native
of Massachusetts. They were the parents of six children, of whom one,
Josephine, is deceased. Those living are: William, Agnes, Benjamin,
Herbert, and Edward. Politically, Mr. Spencer is independent, forming
his judgment after principles are enunciated and candidates placed in
nomination for official position.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.Transcribed by Carol Lackey- page 247