Bezaleel Spencer Jr. was a farmer in the township of Byron, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, from 1846 to 1900. He was one of three sons, born in Washington County, NY to Lovina Johnson Smith and Bezaleel Spencer Sr. Six months after Bezaleel Jr. was born, his father was killed during the construction of a large building.

His mother Lovina was left with three small sons as well as her young daughter from her first marriage. She married for a third time, to Joseph Watson, and had three more children.

[from the 1889 History of Fond du Lac Wis:]
In the spring of 1846, when twenty years of age, we find him in Fond du Lac County. On his arrival he found that his cash capital consisted of only $24, yet with a resolute will he determined to make for himself a home in this Western State, and carve out a fortune in the almost unsettled wilderness. He had made the trip from Milwaukee on foot, traveling through deep mud, but at length reached Fond du Lac, then a mere hamlet with a few scattering houses, and but little business. In connection with his brother, he purchased 120 acres of land on section 6, in the town of Byron, which he still owns. On leaving the hotel, he found that he had left his pocketbook containing all his money, which he was fearful of never seeing again, but on his return he found his lost treasure. After making a location, he at once began working to secure the necessary funds to complete the payment for the property, and engaged in various lines of work, scorning no employment, however humble, by which he might earn an honest dollar. During the summer months he engaged as a farm laborer for seven years, and during that time paid off his entire indebtedness, including principal and 25 per cent interest. In 1853 he turned his attention to the development of the farm, and in 1856 the brothers added to their original purchase a tract of 143 acres, making in all 263 acres of land.

1889 Biography of Bezaleel Spencer

1889 Biography of Elijah Spencer

Bezaleel and his brother Elijah purchased land in the township of Byron, and jointly farmed for many years. Later they added land, and eventually split the land up into two separate farms. Their brother Derastus settled in Chicago where he operated a pharmacy.

In 1872 Bezaleel started a daily journal. He recorded the temperature, as well as local weather conditions. He made notes of farm details, and money management. He also recorded visitors and funerals attended, normal events in the life of a local farmer.
Bezaleel Spencer's Journal
Bezaleel retired from farming in 1894, and eventually rented out his farm on shares. Later that same year he took an extended trip back to the place of his birth, in Washington Co. NY. He and his wife began to spend their winters with their son in Russell, Kansas. The last entry in his journal, is written by his wife, telling of his death.