[1][2] He opposed slavery and supported the idea for the first U.S. currency not backed by gold or silver, thus helping to keep the Union's economy afloat during the U.S. Civil War.

In addition, the 3rd participated in or was present at the Siege of Boston, the Invasion of Canada, Valley Forge, and Sullivan's Expedition.

While in the Assembly, he secured passage of a law authorizing the formation of gas light corporations in the State.

In 1860, Spaulding delivered a speech denouncing the Democratic Party and its pro-slavery views, and urging Republicans to support Abraham Lincoln for the U.S.

[7] It was said that Spaulding was the one who figured out that the American government needed to print money to pay for the Civil War.

He was Chairman of a House Ways and Means Subcommittee when the government was in danger of running out of money to pay for the war.

Stiles continued, "If Wall Street had saints, then the college of financial cardinals would surely canonize Elbridge G.

"It was at once a loan to the government without interest and a national currency, which was so much needed for disbursement in small sums during the pressing exigencies of the war," Spaulding wrote years later in his book, History of the Legal Tender Paper Money.

Hollister built his house in 1835–1836 (on the southeast corner of Main and Goodell) and lived there until it was sold to Spaulding in 1850, who made extensive alterations.

[9] Around 1870, Spaulding built a Victorian era Stick Style home as his summer retreat on Grand Island named "River Lawn".

He owned a half mile of river front that encompassed 350 acres of broad woodlands and cultivated fields.

[14] Lewis F. Allen, uncle-in-law of Grover Cleveland, was the first of the so-called society of the day to build a house on the island, and Spaulding was the second.

[15] Much later in 1935, the boathouse was floated up river to its present location in Oakfield by Frank St. John Sidway, Spaulding's grandson.