William Henry Spencer (September 1857 – May 30, 1925) was an Afro-American educator in Columbus, Georgia, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Early years
He was born September 1857 to Henry Spencer, a blacksmith, in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. He was raised by his father along with his sisters: Mary, Dora, Hattie, Ella, Leila and Lidia; and a brother, Samuel.
Spencer attended the Asbury Chapel, a Columbus public school designated for African-American children.
After graduating, he applied for and received a certificate for teaching in 1875, marking the beginning of a 50 year career in education.
Spencer began teaching in the Harris County schools. He soon found a position in the Columbus Public Schools. Spencer taught at 5th Avenue School in Columbus under Mr. Peters.
Family life
Spencer married Martha Love in 1879.
They had five children: Ethel, Annie, Alma, Pearl and William Henry Jr.
The Spencers lived on 4th Avenue in Columbus. Today, the Spencer House is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Career
After the American Civil War ended, schools to educate the Freedman were established across the south. In Columbus, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands established Claflin School in 1868.
By 1872, schools for African-Americans became a part of the city school system. Columbus Public Schools had 1,174 African-American students attending. Julia Hampton was one of the first African-American teachers in the system. The first school was in rented quarters, Temperance Hall.
In the 1870s, much was done to continue the establishment of schools for blacks. A. J. Ketchum became one of the first black principals in the school system. George Foster Peabody gave the Columbus black schools $600. At that time there were 5 black teachers and 13 white teachers. In June 1875, the school board bought the African Methodist Church on Mercer Street for $800 with 1-acre (4,000 m2) of land. This was converted for school purposes and a two-story frame building with four rooms was built on the site. In October 1888, the street and the school name was changed to 6th Street.
By 1880 the school board acquired Claflin School. Spencer was placed in charge of Claflin School in spite of his not receiving a college degree. He was promoted on his ability and passion for the education of African-Americans in Columbus.
Miss Anna Love and Miss Lucy Love, both graduates of the Columbus Public Schools, were elected teachers at Claflin. A report on school enrollment shows total black enrollment was 517, surpassing white enrollment at 462.
In 1882, black schools were overcrowded with enrollment of 827, 599 attending. In May, 160 Black citizens petitioned the Board asking that the grades of their school be raised a year to a total of 9 years. This was not granted since the schools were already overcrowded. It was suggested that an additional story be added to 6th Street school.
The Black citizens of Columbus continued to press the Board for a high school but there was no suitable building to do so.