My Genealogy Hound

William E. Spence, circuit clerk of Clay County, also county clerk and probate court clerk, was born in Wilcox County, Ala., and is the son of Rev. Spence and wife, nee Evelyn McNiel, and the grandson, on the mother’s side, of Hector McNiel, of Camden, who was of Scotch descent. Rev. Spence was a native of Tennessee, and moved to Alabama when a young man, where he married Miss McNiel. In 1876 he settled with his family in Greene County, Ark., where he remained for about one year, and then moved to what was known as Oak Bluff, locating about a mile north of the town, where he taught school. He was also a preacher in the Presbyterian Church, having been ordained about the time he moved to Alabama. He was of English descent. William E. Spence accompanied his parents to Greene County, and always attended school to his father until he attended the Commercial College, at Lexington, Ky., from which institution he graduated the same year. After this he took a position as book-keeper and salesman with the firm of Tatum & Bragg, of Maiden, Mo., where he remained for about two years, or until the firm stopped business. He then went to work at the same occupation for I. Harris & Co., also of that place, remained about a year, and then came to Boydsville, where he is now located, and accepted a position with W. S. Blackshare & Co. He remained with this company for about a year, when he engaged in mercantile business for himself, thus continuing until elected to his present Office. He then closed out his trade, and now devotes his whole time to his official duties. He was first married to Miss Dora Pollock, who bore him one child, which died with its mother in 1884. Mr. Spencer’s second marriage was to Miss Mary Simmons, daughter of Dr. G. W. Simmons, of Boydsville, in December, 1888. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the K. of H. While modest and unassuming in his demeanor, he is endowed with those very rare qualities of good sense and good judgment, which, together with his genial and pleasing manners, not only fit him for any position to which he may be elected, but congregate around him many warm friends.