Spencer, Joab, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Kansas, was born in Delaware county, Ind., March 10, 1831, a descendant of Ithamar Spencer, a native of Connecticut, who fought in the Revolutionary war. In 1842 his father removed to Anderson county, Mo., which had just been opened to white settlers. Educational advantages were limited on the frontier and Joab did not attend school but a few years. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of thirteen and in the spring of 1855 was licensed to preach by the Missouri conference. After spending three years in Missouri he was appointed to the Shawnee Indian mission in Kansas, where he served for two years. In the fall of 1860 he was appointed to the Paola, Kan., circuit, and in 1861 became presiding elder of the Council Grove district. He remained near Council Grove for twelve years. In 1864 he was elected to the state legislature from Morris county. In 1874 he was transferred to Missouri and served at several charges. Mr. Spencer always took an active part in Sunday school work and wrote a "Normal Guide," for Sunday school teachers. In 1906 he was living at Slater, Mo., the last surviving missionary to the Indians in Kansas.