Obituary taken from Great Falls Tribune or Leader February 1949

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Frank R. Spencer, 73, one of Montana's leading stockmen and ranchers, died at a local hospital Sunday after an extended illness.

He was a resident of this city about five years, moving here from his ranch northeast of Geyser, where he lived since he began operations at the site of the Spencer ranch in 1909.

Spencer was born in Boyd county, Kentucky, May 6, 1876. With his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Spencer, he moved to Kansas in 1887. The family homesteaded near Dodge City and later resided north of Kansas City, MO.

At 17, Frank Spencer set out for Montana, arriving in Fort Benton in the spring of 1893. He first worked at the Warham ranch on Wolf Creed and later on the Bain Bros. ranch, also on Wolf Creek.

He married Katheyne M. Bain at Lewistown, September 23, 1903. A short time later he leased the Gus Oakman ranch south of Geyser.

In 1909 he left the leased property and purchased the George Knerr and Zeno Bain ranches, about 2000 acres, northeast of Geyser. At that time his ranch was socked with sheep and cattle. Since then he increased his holdings until the Spencer ranch now has about 35,000 acres of deeded and leased land. The Judith Basin property is stocked with high grade Hereford cattle.

Spencer was a member of the Knights of Pythias at Stanford and belonged to the Montana Stockgrowers Assn. since it was organized. He also was a member of the Montana Woolgrowers Assn.

Surviving besides the widow are two sons, F. L. Spencer, Great Falls, and H. B. Spencer, Geyser, a daughter, Jessie M. Coppens, San Diego and six brother and sisters, Mrs. Sallie Thomas, North Kansas city, MO, Mrs. Berdie Williams, Gashland, Mo., Ballard E. Spencer, Artesia, NM, Carl Spencer, Torrington, WY, and Robert T. Spencer, Chinook, MT James E. Spencer, Chinook, MT; and four grandchildren. Verl Spencer, another son died at the age of 5.

Funeral services will be at Croxford's at 2 Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Carl Davidson officiating. Burial will be in Highland cemetery.