Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

M. B. SPENCER

Michael Brown Spencer, eldest son of Michael and Nancy Brown Spencer, was born in Rochester, N. Y. in 1820 and came to Michigan with his parents when a mere lad; they settled near Marshall and at once became active in affairs of church and school, his father giving the site for the first church and school house. Michael went to this school and later to the Academy, a high institution of learning in those early days.

After engaging in various pursuits, the principal one, that of building railroads, he came on horseback in 1846 to Saugatuck, where he engaged in the lumber business, building the first steam saw mill in Saugatuck, also ran a lumber yard at the mouth of the river and a warehouse in the village.

He also built and owned the "Union House" where the men who worked at his mill boarded, and he made it his home.

He had close friendships with Stephen A. Morrison and William G. Butler, and at the death of the later in 1857 he was made guardian of the only son, James Gay Butler.

In 1846 Mr. Spencer bought a section of land across the river, selling a part of it to Robert McDonald and William Scoville who later platted and named Douglas and Mr. Spencer was one of its first settlers and in 1870 was one of the first trustees in the newly incorporated village, was treasurer for many years and held many offices of trust in both township and village.

He sold his saw mill in Saugatuck in 1850 to Wells and Johnson, but he continued in the warehouse business many years and among his books are records of receiving freight from the Aunt Betsy and Helen Mar, the river boats coming from Allegan.

He wooed and married Matilda Adelaide Hill in 1861. Her parents also were pioneers from New York. Six children were given this estimable couple, two of whom are still living in sight of the Spencer home which their father built for his bride which was her home for sixty-two years.

Mr. Spencer was an outstanding figure in the growth of the two villages, as was Mrs. Spencer in the musical circles. His death was in 1891 at the age of seventy-one; Mrs. Spencer, passing in 1925, having passed her eighty-fourth milestone.

Their children were Minnie Belle (Mrs. D. M. Gerber) ; Harriet Natalie; Frederick A.; Carlotta A. (Mrs. O. S. Flanigan); William and Mary Lenore. The first and last are the only ones left of this family, with two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.