Son of Joseph and Louisa Ray Spencer

Joseph Marion Spencer married Laura Ann Collins on February 23, 1860 and they had nine children all linked below.

Joseph received a land grant from the government to land east of La Plata, Mo. when he emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri in 1854. Served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

LA PLATA HOME PRESS, La Plata, Missouri
February 24, 1916
JOSEPH M. SPENCER
---Joseph Marion Spencer was born in Marion County, Kentucky on November 20, 1836 and died February 15, 1918, aged seventy-nine years, two months and twenty-five days. He emigrated from Kentucky to Macon county, Missouri in 1854 where he resided until his death.
---He was married to Miss Laura Ann Collins on February 23, 1860. To this union were born nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom, with their mother, survive him. The children, in order of their ages, are Mrs. G.B. Easley, Gibbs, Missouri, Samuel N. Spencer, Center, Colorado, Mrs. S.H. Davis and Mrs. M.M. Self, La Plata, Missouri, William R. Spencer, Center, Colorado, Joseph J. Spencer and Mrs. J. H. Neeley, Monte Vista, Colorado, John C. Spencer and Mrs. W.J. Morris, La Plata, Missouri.
---Mr. Spencer was widely known and highly esteemed throughout Macon, Knox and Adair Counties. He was, at one time, among one of the largest shippers in this part of the country. After retiring from the feeding and shipping business, he established a canning plant on his farm near La Plata, putting up the "Farmer Joe" tomato which plant he was quite successfully operating at the time he became afflicted with rheumatism, which compelled his retirement from business.
---He was a member of the Masonic order and enjoyed the distinction of being the third oldest living member in La Plata, holding his membership in La Plata Lodge 237 A.F. & A.M.
---He was a member of the Christian Church and was a worker in the church until about ten years ago when his affliction with rheumatism caused him to become an invalid. Mr. Spencer's life was an open book, his influence being always for the right and opposed to the wrong. He was fearless of his religious expressions and lived a life of purity.
---The funeral services were conducted at the residence of the deceased in La Plata, Missouri by Elder J.W. Davis of Kirksville, assisted by Elder H.A. Browning of La Plata. Interment was in the La Plata cemetery under the auspices of La Plata Lodge No. 237, A.F. & A.M.