Spicer, J. Henry, superintendent of the Harrisburg Burial Case Company, was born at Plymouth, Hancock county, Ill., November 14, 1857, son of Charles A. and Nancy (West) Spicer.
Charles A. Spicer, undertaker and furniture dealer, was born at Carlisle, Pa., April 6, 1835. His father, Henry Spicer, was a native of Switzerland, who came to this country and settled at Carlisle. Pa He was owner and publisher of the Carlisle Herald up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1835. His wife, Eliza Corman, was a native of Cumberland county and died in 1841. They had two children of whom Charles A. is the only survivor. He took a partial course in the public schools, and in his fifteenth year was an apprentice to the cabinet-making business. When nineteen years old he removed to Polo, Ill., where he worked at carpentry. He went to Plymouth, Ill., in 1855, and carried on the furniture business there for two years He returned to Carlisle, Pa., in 1859, and was engaged in business there until 1861. In June of that year he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves, and served till his discharge at Falmouth, Va., in June, 1862, when he returned to Carlisle. In a short time he removed to Harrisburg where he was engaged with the Harrisburg Car Company for four years, and in 1866 established his present business, which he has conducted continuously for thirty years. He was married at Plymouth, Ill., to Nancy West, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William West, residents of Peru, Ind. Of the ten children born to them, seven survive: J. Henry, superintendent of the Burial Case Company; Nellie, wife of F. Orth, a prominent grocer of Harrisburg; Charles, shipping clerk, Burial Case Company; William, a student in Auburn Theological Seminary; Rudolph, undertaker, at Altoona; Bessie and Anna. Mr. Spicer represented the Third ward in council for one year. He is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., and of State Capital Beneficial Society. In political views he is a Democrat. The family attend the Market Square Presbyterian church.
The family removed to Harrisburg when J. Henry Spicer was six years old. He received his education in the public schools of this city and at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. Upon its com pletion he engaged in the furniture business with his father, until the organization of the Harrisburg Burial Case Company, in 1882. or this company he was made superintendent, and has proved efficient and faithful in performing the duties of his position. Mr. Spicer is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
J. Henry Spicer was married at Harrisburg, August 31, 1881, to Annie E., daughter of Jacob A. and Christiana (McWilliams) Spofford, who were formerly residents of Harrisburg. They are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spicer have one son, John Spofford, born February 3, 1885. Mr. Spicer is an elder in the Market Square Presbyterian church.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
