BBG Spencer, George Eliphaz

George Eliphaz Spencer (1836–1893):​

Introduction:
George Eliphaz Spencer was a Union Army officer, lawyer, businessman, and politician who played a prominent role during the Reconstruction era. Known for his military service and political influence in Alabama, Spencer's career combined public service, business ventures, and controversial political maneuvering.


Personal Information:

• Born: November 1, 1836
• Birthplace: Champion, Jefferson County, New York
• Father: Dr. Gordon P. Spencer (1789–1859), buried at Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY
• Mother: Deborah Mallery (1796–1869), buried at Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY
• Religion: Methodist
• Marriages:
  • Bella Zilfa (1840–1867), buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA
  • William "May" Nunez (1847–1921), buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Saint Augustine, FL
• Children: None

Education:

• Attended Montreal College

Pre-War Occupation:

• 1856: Secretary of the Iowa State Senate

Civil War Service:

• 1861: Captain of Company K, 9th Iowa Infantry Regiment
• 1861–1865: Colonel of the 9th Iowa Infantry Regiment
• 1862: Fought in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee
• 1863: Participated in the Vicksburg Campaign, Mississippi
• 1864: Fought in the Battle of Resaca, Georgia, where he was wounded
• 1865–1866: Brevetted Brigadier General of Union Army Volunteers
• 1866: Mustered out of service on January 15 at Montgomery, Alabama

Post-War Career:

1866: Practiced law in Decatur, Alabama

• 1867: Appointed Register of Bankruptcy for the Fourth District of Alabama
• 1868–1879:United States Senator from Alabama
  • Member of the Indian Affairs Committee
  • Member of the Territories Committee
  • 1870: Supported the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
  • 1871: Backed the Ku Klux Klan Act / Enforcement Acts
  • 1872: Alabama delegate to the Republican National Convention
  • 1875: Supported the Civil Rights Act of 1875
  • Advocated for legislation related to patronage and railroads; accused of selling offices and rewarding carpetbaggers
  • 1875–1877: Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia
  • 1877–1879: Chairman, Committee on Military Affairs
• Practiced law and engaged in railroad and land development in Decatur, Alabama
• Later moved to Nevada and participated in silver mining ventures

Death:

• Died: February 19, 1893
• Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
• Cause of Death: Unknown
• Age at Death: 56
• Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

Spencer's life was marked by military valor, political influence during Reconstruction, and business ventures in law, railroads, and mining. While respected for his Union service, his career also attracted criticism for political patronage and alleged corruption.

Obituary: George Eliphaz Spencer (1836–1893)


Washington, D.C., February 19, 1893 — George Eliphaz Spencer, distinguished Union Army officer, lawyer, and former United States Senator from Alabama, passed away today at the age of 56. Born in Champion, Jefferson County, New York, on November 1, 1836, Spencer was the son of Dr. Gordon P. Spencer and Deborah Mallery.


Spencer pursued his education at Montreal College and began his career as secretary of the Iowa State Senate. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined the Union Army, rising from Captain of Company K of the 9th Iowa Infantry Regiment to Colonel, participating in notable engagements including the Battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Resaca, where he sustained injuries. In recognition of his service, he was brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers.


Following the war, Spencer practiced law in Decatur, Alabama, and served as Register of Bankruptcy for the Fourth District. In 1868, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1879. During his tenure, he supported the 15th Amendment, backed the Enforcement Acts against the Ku Klux Klan, and advocated civil rights legislation. He chaired both the Committee on the District of Columbia and the Committee on Military Affairs and was involved in legislation concerning railroads and federal appointments.


Beyond politics, Spencer engaged in railroad, land, and mining ventures, including silver mining operations in Nevada. He is survived by his second wife, William "May" Nunez; his first wife, Bella Zilfa, predeceased him. Spencer had no children.


George E. Spencer will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, leaving a legacy marked by military valor, political influence during Reconstruction, and business pursuits across the South and West.