Interim Content

Spencer, Orson

Biography

14 Mar./13 May 1802–15 Oct. 1855. Teacher, minister, university professor and chancellor. Born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Daniel Spencer and Chloe Wilson. Moved to Lenox, Berkshire Co., 1817; to Schenectady, Schenectady Co., New York, 1819; to Washington, Wilkes Co., Georgia, 1825; and to Hamilton, Madison Co., New York, 1827. Baptist minister in Massachusetts and Connecticut, ca. 1829–ca. 1841. Married Catherine Curtis, 13 Apr. 1830. Soon after, moved to Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Moved to Middlefield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, by 1840. Returned to West Stockbridge, 1841. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Daniel Spencer, May 1841, in West Stockbridge. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, 1841. Nauvoo city alderman, 1841–1845. Appointed professor at University of Nauvoo, 1841. Ordained an elder, before 6 Apr. 1843. Served mission to New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut, 1843. Admitted to Council of Fifty, 19 Mar. 1844. Ordained a high priest by George Miller, 6 Oct. 1844, in Nauvoo. Elected mayor of Nauvoo but never served because city charter was repealed, 1845. Elected trustee of town of Nauvoo, Apr. 1845. Wife died, 1846, in Iowa Territory. Presided over British mission, 1847–1849. Migrated to Salt Lake City as captain of emigrant company, 1849. Member of Utah territorial legislature, 1851. Died in St. Louis.

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Circa 1850, photograph by studio of Charles R. Savage and George M. Ottinger (Church History Library, Salt Lake City).

Orson Spencer Circa 1850, photograph by studio of Charles R. Savage and George M. Ottinger (Church History Library, Salt Lake City).

Gender
Male