My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM W. SPENCE was born January 7, 1832, in Madison County, Tenn. His father, Levi Spence was born and reared in North Carolina, and in 1831 removed with his wife and family to Tennessee, when he engaged in farming, which was his principal occupation in life. In 1840 he came to McCracken County, locating eight miles from Paducah, and here died three years later; his widow survived him many years, her death occurring November 28, 1883. They were both members of the Methodist Church. Our subject spent his earlier years at farm work, and obtained a fair education, principally by home study. At twenty years he began farming on shares, but previous to this had hired out at $4 per month, to enable him to assist his mother in the support of the family; his first crop netted him $120 and he continued farming three years longer, when he went to Texas, but soon returned and re engaged in farming. He finally purchased 183 acres of land in his present neighborhood, which he improved and worked eight years, when he sold out for $22 per acre, the land having cost him but $7. He removed to a farm near Paducah, renting the same for two years. He then purchased his present farm property, located two miles north of Woodville and consisting of 261 acres, which was formerly woodland, but which has been cleared, a residence erected and orchard set out, and many other lasting improvements made to the place. Mr. Spence has been very active and untiring in his efforts to rid the country of whisky and its terrible effects, giving his means and influence at all times in favor of temperance and strict prohibition. He framed a bill, and secured the passage of the same through the State legislature, which excludes the sale of intoxicating liquor in this community. He is the recognized leader in Woodville and vicinity of a strong temperance element, who consider this question of paramount importance to all others of a political nature. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Church South. In October, 1859, he married Miss Mary A. Moore of McCracken County. They are the parents of two children: John W. and Thomas D., both grown.