The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.
Clarence S. Spencer was born in Chariton, Iowa, in 1881 to Thomas and Mary A. Spencer. His father was both a physician and a druggist.
In 1888, the family moved out west to the town of Orangethorpe (next to Fullerton) and purchased 20 acres of apricots and walnuts. Dr. Spencer eventually planted oranges and lemons. In 1891, Dr. Spencer died.
In 1916, Clarence Spencer married Annie Irene Thomas, a native of Texas. Her grandparents were plantation owners. Clarence and Annie had one child, Gladys.
The Spencer family eventually owned 80 acres. Clarence purchased five for himself, where he built a beautiful home that still stands today at 1400 W. Orangethorpe Ave.
Clarence was a delegate to the Republican County Convention in 1912 and he was a stockholder in the Fullerton Citrus Orchards, and also in the Fullerton Leasing Company, handling oil leases.
“A leader in Republican county politics, and the owner of an exceptionally fruitful and attractive grove of oranges,” biographer Samuel Armor wrote in 1921, “Clarence S. Spencer is not only influential in citrus fruit circles, but he is also one of the path-breakers in the fast-developing oil industry.”
Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Anaheim.
Source:
History of Orange County, California: with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present by Samuel Armor. Los Angeles Historic Record Co, 1921.
Fullerton History 