INDUSTRIAL AND SOUVENIR EDITION OF THE ADVANCE Monticello, Ark., Tuesday, December 17, 1907 Page 4, Columns 3 & 4 Geo. F. Spencer Geo. F. Spencer was born at Lacy, Ark., March 19, 1865. His early advantages were very limited and up to the age of 16 years he had no schooling except the three months free schools which prevailed in the country at that time. When he was 17 years old he contracted to work a crop for his brother Ed, the compensation for which was to be a year's schooling at Monticello, after receiving which he returned to the farm and remained there until he was twenty-one. On becoming of age, Mr. Spencer took what money he had been able to save for the last four years and went to Smith's Commercial College at Lexington, Ky., where he took a course in bookkeeping and telegraphy, his intention being at that time to enter the railroad service. This, however, through force of circumstances he was prevented from doing. On coming back to Monticello late in the Spring of 1887, at a dull season of the year, being unable to procure a better job, he worked through the summer for Ed Wines at the depot for a salary of $6.00 per month, with the intention of using this as a stepping stone to a position with the railroad, but in the f Fall he was offered a job with D. A. Kimpel at Dermott and accepted. After remaining there for a short time he came back to Monticello and took charge of a ladies' furnishing goods store which his aunt, Mrs. L. F. Jackson had opened in connection with her millinery store. Mrs. Jackson dying soon afterward, Mr. Spencer borrowed money, bought both stocks of goods and paid for them in about three months time. He has been in business here practically all the time since. A short time after going into business for himself, Mr. Spencer formed a partnership with B. F. Prewitt. They were merchandising on the corner where W. E. Harvill's store now stands and were laying the foundation for a prosperous business when the disastrous fire of 1890 visited Monticello and completely wiped them out. As Mr. Spencer expresses it, he got out with $100, a bunch of keys and his credit. After this misfortune he clerked a while for E. Hoover. He then conducted a shoe store in connection with his brother Ed, for two years, after which he formed a partnership with Ed Spencer and J. M. Waddell to open a business at Morrell in Ashley County. He personally conducted this business for three years, then sold out and came back to this place, where he has been merchandising ever since most of the time being connected with the dry goods firm of Ed Spencer. In February, 1906, he opened a grocery store on south Main Street, and the measure of his success with which he is meeting, is shown by the fact that the first year he did about $44,000 worth of business. He carries a large and select stock of both staple and fancy groceries. His special pride is his flour, the "Thelma" brand, which is put up for his individual use by a milling company in Missouri and is named after his little girl. Mr. Spencer is a steward in the M. E. Church and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is also a member of the K. of P. lodge. He married Miss Pauline Bordeaux in November 1890. They have three children living, two boys and one girl and one boy dead.