John Canfield Spencer
John Canfield Spencer (January 8, 1788 – May 17, 1855) was an American lawyer, politician, judge and United States Cabinet secretary in the administration of President John Tyler.
John Spencer | |
|---|---|
| 16th United States Secretary of the Treasury | |
| In office March 8, 1843 – May 2, 1844 | |
| President | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | Walter Forward |
| Succeeded by | George M. Bibb |
| 17th United States Secretary of War | |
| In office October 12, 1841 – March 4, 1843 | |
| President | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | John Bell |
| Succeeded by | James Madison Porter |
| 17th Secretary of State of New York | |
| In office February 4, 1839 – October 12, 1841 | |
| Governor | William H. Seward |
| Preceded by | John Adams Dix |
| Succeeded by | Archibald Campbell (Acting) |
| Speaker of the New York State Assembly | |
| In office January 4, 1820 – June 30, 1820 | |
| Preceded by | Obadiah German |
| Succeeded by | Peter Sharpe |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st district | |
| In office March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1819 | |
| Preceded by | Archibald S. Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Albert H. Tracy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Canfield Spencer January 8, 1788 Hudson, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 17, 1855 (aged 67) Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (Before 1825) Whig (1825–1855) |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Scott Smith
(m. 1809) |
| Relatives | Ambrose Spencer (Father) |
| Education | Williams College Union College (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1814 |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
After graduating from Union College in 1806, Spencer practiced law and held various positions, including master of chancery, postmaster, and attorney general. Spencer served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1817 to 1819 and the New York State Assembly and Senate in various years between 1820 and 1833. As an anti-Mason, he investigated the disappearance of William Morgan, which sparked the Anti-Masonic movement.
In 1841, President John Tyler appointed Spencer as Secretary of War, and in 1843, he became Secretary of the Treasury. Spencer faced challenges in his role as Treasury Secretary, including a deficit, tariffs, and the development of a plan for a Board of Exchequer. President Tyler nominated Spencer for open Associate Justice seats on the Supreme Court twice in 1844, but both attempts failed. Spencer resigned as Treasury Secretary in May 1844 and returned to Albany.
Spencer married Elizabeth Scott Smith in 1809, and they had several children, many of whom died young or under unfortunate circumstances.