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Birth:          11 Nov 1866 Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio
Death:          27 Oct 1947 Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio

Notes
1900 in Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio office work
1910 in Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio retired, own income
1920 in Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio business man, employer
1930 in Martins Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio  manufacturer, foundry
Ohio Obit Idx on ancestry.com
http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Belmont/BelmontBio466.htm
GEORGE L. SPENCE, president of the Stanton Heater Company, director in the 
People's Savings Bank, stockholder in the First National Bank of Bridgeport, director 
and vicepresident of the Fidelity Savings & Loan Company and . director in the 
SpenceBaggs Stove Company, of Martin's Ferry, is one of the leading business men of 
the Ohio Valley.

Mr. Spence is an Ohio product, born in Martin's Ferry, on November 11, 1866, a son of 
Lavosier and Elizabeth (Dakan) Spence, the former of whom was born in Jefferson 
County and the latter in Belmont County, in the same State. Lavosier Spence was born 
to parents who lived in an unassuming way, in a cabin on a rented farm in Mount 
Pleasant township, Jefferson County, on January 14, 1829, and like the majority of 
selfmade men attained his present position as a capitalist, by climbing up a hill of toil. 
His educational advantages were meager indeed and he just simply went to work and 
kept at it through youth and manhood ; his struggles developed his character as well 
as his mental and physical being. From being a good carpenter he developed into an 
excellent machinist, and in 1857 he began the making of threshing machines in 
Martin's Ferry, and ten years later made engines, continuing the business until 1899. 
Mr. Spence was one of the original builders of the old Aetna and Standard iron and 
steel companies' works, and was a director in both companies until they went into the 
combination in 1899. In 1873 he went into the manufacture of stoves, continuing 
alone until 1874, when he admitted several gentlemen into partnership, the firm name 
thus becoming Spence, Baggs & Co., which operated successfully until 1900 when the 
present firm of the Spence=Baggs Stove Co. was incorporated. This company is yearly 
expanding and growing more prosperous.

In 1899 the thresher and engine plants which our subject's father established were 
merged into the Riverside Bridge Company, Mr. Spence still retaining an interest. He is 
also a director in the Stanton Heater Company, is president of the People's Savings 
Bank and vicepresident of the First National Bank of Bridgeport, Ohio.

Mr. Spence is financially interested in other manufacturing enterprises in Martin's 
Ferry. For years he has been one of the most enterprising men of the city, ready to 
promote its best interests. Mr. Spence owns one of the handsomest residences in 
Martin's Ferry, which is situated on a bluff commanding a fine view of the hills and the 
river. He delights in his home, in his family and friends and is proud and hopeful 
regarding the future of this city. He has been identified with much of the improvement 
in this section.

624 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
On August 20, 1857, Mr. Spence was married to Elizabeth Dakan who came to 
Martin's Ferry in 1854. Two sons were born to this union, namely : John D. and George 
L. John D. Spence was born on November 3, 1862, and died August 6, 1895. He 
married Texa Arnett, who was a native of Wheeling, who died in 1889, at the age of 
24 years, leaving two children, Elizabeth D. and Grover L.

George L Spence received many educational advantages. Finishing his primary 
education in the lower grades in Martin's Ferry, he entered the High School, 
graduating from that institution in 1886 and then entered the Ohio State University at 
Columbus. In 1887, when in the sophomore year, he left the college in order to enter 
into the thresher and engine manufacturing business in which he was made a partner 
in 1890, continuing as such until 1899 when he assisted in the incorporation of the 
Stanton Heater Company and raised the funds to put it on a safe basis. Like his 
father, Mr. Spence has an unusual degree of business ability and is interested in many 
of the leading enterprises in this locality and is foremost in all public movements 
tending to the prosperity and advancement of Martin's Ferry. He is interested and still 
a director in the Spence-Baggs Stove Company ; he helped to organize the Belmont 
Brick Company and was a director in that company for some seven years; is a 
stockholder in the First National Bank in Bridgeport; and in 1887 was one of the 
organizers and has been a director and the vicepresident of the Fidelity Savings & 
Loan Company since. Mr. Spence was one of the original organizers of the Y. M. C. A. 
and served for two years as its president.

On October 12, 1892, Mr. Spence was married to Flora A. McCord, a native of Martin's 
Ferry and a daughter of C. G. and Anna McCord, residents of the same city. For the 
past 20 years Mr. McCord has been in the brick business and is a member of the brick 
firm of McCord Brothers, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio. Two daughters have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Spence, Emma A. and Gertrude E. The religious connection of the family is 
with the Baptist Church, in which body Mr. Spence has efficiently filled all the 
positions accorded to a layman. His support is liberal and both he and his wife find 
much enjoyment in furthering its usefulness. Politics do not appeal to Mr. Spence, and 
he confines his activity to local affairs. He is justly ranked high in business circles and 
his integrity and justice in dealing with others is only equaled by his display of 
engaging qualities in private life.


Parents
SPENCE Lavosier ()
DAKAN Elizabeth ()

Siblings
SPENCE George Lavosier (11 Nov 1866 - 27 Oct 1947)

Marriage To MCCORD Flora Adele (11 Dec 1870 - 26 Sep 1941)
    m. 12 Oct 1892 Belmont Co., Ohio

Notes

Parents
MCCORD Charles Gideon ("Gid") (21 Dec 1845 - 29 Nov 1920)
MAULE Hannah S. [Annie F.] (5 May 1853 - 1936)

Children by MCCORD Flora Adele 11 Dec 1870 - 26 Sep 1941
SPENCE Erma A. (31 Dec 1893 - 30 Jan 1986)
SPENCE Gertrude Elizabeth (21 Jun 1897 - Mar 1973)

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