Spencer, Henry Austin

[AFRICAN AMERICAN] [MASON] Repurposed Scrapbook from Early African American Mason; (Book used - The Case Against Compulsory Vaccination)

1914-1923. Sewn binding. 55 pages. 23 x 15.5 cm. Henry Austin Spencer, the first African American to be accepted to the University of Rochester, is the focus of this intriguing scrapbook. Pasted in, throughout the book - The Case Against Compulsory Vaccination, are articles, bylaws, programs, and photos featuring Spencer and his fellow members, along with hand written descriptions. Henry Austin Spencer was brought to Western New York, as a child, when his father was stationed there after the conclusion of the Civil War. Spencer's father was assigned to the local Union army with Lt. Hiram Sickles of the 17th New York Light Independent Artillery. Henry Austin attended a boarding school in Philadelphia and then the Brockport Normal School (SUNY Brockport) - graduating as the Gamma Sigma orator in 1880 - which earned him a full scholarship to the University of Rochester. After college, he studied law under the Hon. H. Smith of Rochester and later was appointed to a position in Albany in the speaker's room. Later, when S.Fred Nixon became the speaker of the State Assembly, Spencer was appointed his confidential clerk - a position he held for almost 30 years. During this time he was a grand master of the New York State Colored Masons.

Pages are frayed, with some closed tears. Spine holding. Cream wraps. Good. Item #3948

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