James Leicester Spooner, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of James Leicester Spooner
JAMES LEICESTER SPOONER - James L. Spooner was born in Chicago, Illinois, May 4, 1877, the son of William F. and Anna (Harrold) Spooner of Leicester, Massachusetts. The family removed to Valparaiso in 1882, and here James L. Spooner secured his schooling, attending St. Paul's parochial school, Valparaiso High School, and completing the commercial course in Valparaiso University. Upon leaving his studies he became associated with his father in the retail grocery business, and later traveled for the United States Rubber Company for nineteen years. He returned to Valparaiso after that period, and engaged in the automobile sales business, handling the Auburn cars, and subsequently purchased the Lincolnway Garage, which was originally the Wheeler-Elam Company. After purchasing this concern it was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000; the officers are J. L. Spooner, president; Mrs. Emma Leonard, vice president: and Stella Leonard Spooner, secretary-treasurer. They distribute the well known Nash and Packard cars, and carry a full line of accessories. A storage capacity of 150 cars allows splendid accommodation in addition to the well equipped repair shop.
Mr. Spooner was united in marriage with Stella Leonard, daughter of Alva and Emma (Denney) Leonard of Valparaiso, and to this union were born two children, Alva Leonard and James William. Alva is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, and is now a student at the University of Michigan. James is attending Valparaiso High School.
Mr. Spooner is a member of the National Automobile Dealers' Association, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants' Bureau, Rotary Club, Elks, Valparaiso lodge of Masons, and the Valparaiso Country Club.
William F. Spooner, father of our subject, is present mayor of Valparaiso and has been honored with that office for four terms.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 244-245
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook