Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-01
HON. E. F. SPENCE.
A Most Distinguished Ca
reer.
A SUCCESSFUL MANS LIFE.
Banker, Mayor, PhilanthrOpist-
One Who Has Done Much to
Develop the Country.

There are few persons in this COM
munity who do not know the face and
form OF ex- Mayor Spence. There are
none who will not agree with every
GOOD word that is said about this gen.
tlemau.
Hon. E. f. Spence is one OF those
men whose influence is felt in social
no less than financial circles; and al
though he has not been a resident OF
this CITY SO long period, and cannot
share as largely as many other prom
incnt men in their earlier struggles
and successes OF South California, his
later coming has been no obstruc ion
to perfect equality with the foremost
citizen Of to-day, in the later import
ant and unparalleled development OF
this, his chosen home.
Z. F. Spence is native OF Ireland,
of Scotch-Iris lineage. He remained
in Ireland until the age OF ~ years,
when, hearing OF the wonderland OF
the Pacific, he determined to seek in
this new hemisphere his fortune:
He came direct to California and
settled in Nevada City, at that time
the center of mining excitement and
speculation. Mr.. Spence engaged IN
the general occupation of merchant for
a number of ears, after which he en-
barked in the drug business. During
the time 81 his residence there he filed
the offices OF City Trustee and Trustee
of Public Schools, and left as one oi
the memorials of his residence the
present High School building, in the
erection of which he took an active
part. In 1860 he was elected to the
State Legislature, being one ef the
first Republicans elected from the
mines to that body. He filled the Of
fee of County Treasurer during the
wears 1o64-5. Another memorial that
he left in that county is schoolhouse
for which he donated the material
and which together with the distric
bears his name. Removing iron
Nevada City to San Jose, he engaged
in banking. managing at the SAINT
time drug house which he estab
iished.
There Mr.. Spence lived for severa
years, until falling health compelled
him to change his residence. From
San Jose he removed to San Diego
in 1872, where he at once activel.
engaged in business, organizing the
Commercial Rank of that city, and o
which he was made President. The
bank was subsequently succeeded by
the Consolidated Bank of that city
For the following three years Mr.
grence made his home in that ambi
tions little city, encouraging and Civ
ing additional impetus to the business
interests of the community. As O
old, all roads led to Rome, so in these
days all roads lead to Los Angeles
and che close of the year 1875 found
Mr.. Spence and his family residents
of the City of the Angels. Previous
to this the Commercial Bank of Lo:
Angeles had been organized and he
came to this city for the purpose O
giving his personal attention to it
The Commercial Bank was sue
ceeded by the Los Angeles National
Bank, Of which he is the president
This bank is to-day one OF the most
fiourishing and successful institutions
in Southern California. About seven
years ago Mr.. Spence became inter-
ested in the Central-street railway.
Some time since the members OF
the National Banks OF this city or
ganized the Savings Bank of South
ern California, and made the ex-
Mayor its President. This, together
with similar institutions here, has
been the direct means OF saving
hundreds of thousands of dollars
of small earnings to Los Angeles
county, that would have gone to
San Francisco for security. He has
interests in almost all the bank.
ing houses in Southern California,
outside of this city. including Pasa-
dena, Anaheim, San Diego, Santa
Ana and San Rernardino. Mr..
Spence is also the President, and was
one OF the original organizers of the
California Insurance Company, a
home institution, owned by prom
inent bankers and capitalists of Los
Angeles county.
During the thirteen years OF Mr..
Spence's residence in this city, he has
held many important trusts, having
been member of the city council
and president OF that body. Three
years ago he was elected Mayor.
The two years OF his official
were marked by the total
absence OF that spirit of laxity and in
difference to the general welfare. A
man of advanced thought and keen
foresight, his influence and recon-
were characterized by
sound business judgment and sterling
practical quality of the highest value.
Foreseeing the grand future for this,
the home of his final choice, he advo-
Gated laying the foundations Of the
city broad and deep, and the future
will yindicate the wisdom OF many OF
the suggestions made by him during
the period of his official life.
Mr.. Spence may truthfully be called
the champion OF education. His
means have ever been
freely bestowed on educational insti-
tntions, and but short time since he
donated to the University OF Southern
California a valuable tract of 500
acres of land. He is now one OF the
charter trustees Of that institution,
one Of its board of directors and also
trustee and member OF the board OF
regents Of the College Of Agriculture
ct Ontario. -. ;.
Mr. Spence is a Republican in poll
tics, q man Of broad religious views,
belonging to no church organization,
INT with ever an open hand and a
GOOD 100 word for all He believes in
fhe practical religion taught by the
Great Teacher eighteen hundred
years ago. He is . believer in the
wide-reaching and benevolent infiu-
ences Of secret organizations, holding
that in the practical charities emanat-
ine from them is to be found the
Wsrm, pulsating heart Of the highest
He has passed through all
the chairs of Oddfellowship, knights
- k1,r OO~A dnnron nf