Spencer & Tabor

Two men were vital in the development of the local tile factories. They also were business partners and friends for over forty years.

James Spencer was born in 1845 in New York and at the age of 21 came to the wilderness of Michigan. Four years later he married Nancy Jones and they farmed in Eagle Township until coming to Grand Ledge in 1874. He then joined in a men’s clothing store called Capwell & Spencer. During this time he and Nancy became friends of Frank and Anne Tabor.

The year of 1877 was exciting for the couple. They built a new home at 622 Jenne Street and James left the clothing business and bought out the interest of Chester Benton in the Taber & Benton meat market. The new Tabor & Spencer meat market soon moved one door south to 223 South Bridge; a new brick building that was built especially for them by S.B. Granger.

The business and friendship both prospered. So much so that within a few years the Spencers left Jenne Street and moved to the corner of Scott and Jackson Streets, right across from the Tabors who lived at 327 Jackson.

At about this same time the partners became instrumental in the promotion of the business opportunities the local clay deposits could offer. In 1886 they were among the founding partners in the Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Co. Frank Tabor became Secretary-Treasurer of the new firm.

In 1890 the partners sold the meat market and with the profits James Spencer soon moved his frame house to a side lot on Scott Street and built a fine new brick home on the corner at 328 Jackson, where his old house had been.

In 1901, after raising the value of the firm by 400%, the clay factory was sold to an Ohio company. By contract the founders were barred from engaging in any clay related activities for four years. However as soon as the time limit expired Spencer and Tabor began recruiting local businessmen for the formation of a new clay works. In 1906 Grand Ledge Clay Products was born. Again both men took management roles in the company, positions they would hold the rest of their lives.

As stated previously, Clay Products was initially formed to produce clay conduit tile. Aside from its intended use to burry electric lines, it was also used as a building material, substituting for brick. Many utilitarian buildings and even some homes used the less expensive clay conduit. Several of the factory workers used the material to build their own homes near the factories. James Spencer built his carriage barn behind his home from the conduit tile. This can still be seen at 312 Jackson Street, although now painted white.

James Spencer passed away in 1919 and Frank Tabor died in 1924. The Tabor legacy did not end however. Management of the company would pass to his son-in-law Fred Decke and then on to grandson George Decke and finally his great-grandson Brian Decke who would have the sad task of wrapping up at the end when the factory finally closed in 1986.