Because paper was difficult to obtain at the time, the boy wrote on birch tree bark, sand, ice, snow, the fly-leaves of his mother's Bible and, by permission of a cobbler, the leather in his shop.

In 1824, he contemplated entering college with a view to preparing for the ministry, but, due to his alcoholism (aggravated by the prevalent drinking customs), he did not.

Spencer was instrumental in founding and promoting American business colleges, where he combined teaching and work on the development of his system of penmanship.

[1] Spencer opened schools in Geneva and Cleveland, Ohio; and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On August 24, 2012, the city of Geneva, Ohio, unveiled the Spencerian Monument at the re-dedication ceremony for the Ashtabula County Western Area Courthouse.