Early Life, Family and Artistic Training Frederick R. Spencer was born on 7 June 1806 in Lenox, New York. He grew up in a household led by his father, General Ichabod Smith Spencer, who worked as a lawyer and served as the first postmaster of Canastota. The young boy's interest in the visual arts began to take shape when he was fifteen. He spent time observing an exhibition of portraits by Ezra Ames, an encounter that left a lasting impression on his developing eye. His early training was a matter of gradual discovery and informal guidance. After making his first attempts at portrait painti…