>From "History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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JAMES POLK SPENCE
    James Polk Spence. Although the subject of this article has not
resided in Stevens county as long as the other pioneers,nevertheless his
industry,energy and identification with the interests of the county have
been so patent that is fitting for us to grant a representation of him in
this volume.
   James P.Spence was born in Mercer county,Illinois on April 6,1844,the
son of John L.and Nancy (Denham) Spence,natives of Tennessee and Kentucky,
respectively. They were married in Missouri,whence they moved to Illinois
where the father died when our subject was about nine months old.Through
the misfortune of sickness the mother lost nearly all her property,but in
this same time of need her people came to her assistance. Later she married
J.R.Read,and they moved to Washington,and at Cheney she was called away by
death in 1895.The grandfather of our subject was a soldier under General
Jackson in the early Indian wars of this country. In the district schools
of Almakee county,Iowa,our subject received his education and when eighteen
rented a farm where he remained for twelve years. In 1889 he came to
Washington and for seven years remained in Spokane county and took his
present place as a homestead. In the improvement and cultivation of this
Mr.Spence had been engaged since. He has a good residence,three barns,and
other buildings, and handles considerable stock.
   On October 7,1863,was celebrated the marriage of Mr.J.P.Spence and Miss
Mary,daughter of Peter and Ann (Lyons) Welsh,natives of Ireland. Mrs Spence
was born in Cincinnati,Ohio,and received her education in that place  and in
Iowa. To this marriage ten children have been born,seven of whom are living,
as follows:Annie E.,wife of Charles Clink,in Spokane;Nancy,wife of A.Dragoo,
in Kansas;James;Rosa;Thomas W.;Elexander and Margret. The last five are
living with their parents. Mrs.Spence is a member of the Catholic church.
Mr.Spence is a good man of standing,and enjoys the good will of all.



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