The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-17
LAID TO REST.
The Last Rites Over This Distinguished
Gentleman Yesterday Afternoon.

The Last Rites Over This Distinguished
Gentleman Yesterday Afternoon.
Hon. Joseph Spence, mention of
whose death was made yesterday
morning, was buried last afternoon,
very large cortege following the re-
mains to their last resting place. The
funeral services at the house, con-
Quoted by Rev. f. B. Wright, were
very solemn and impressive. The
pail bearers were Messrs. j. w.
Graham, w. H. Bell, w, A. Black.
burn, ID. l.. Wicks, w. Matthews and
Robert Spence.
Joseph Spence was born of Irish
parents in the city of Philadelphia
Dec. 3, 1926. His parents in 1928
moved to Tennessee, then compare
lively wierd sparely settled state and
located near Murfrees borO, 80 miles
south of Nashville. Here Joseph
Spence grew TO manhood and by pa
tient toll and indomitable energy edu-
Gated himself, He had q collegiate
education and graduated from the
Tennessee law school with high hon.
ors March !, 1858. He was married
10 Miss Marguerite D. Mendel Of Muir.
feesborO and she and daughter and
five sons survive him. In 1853 he
moved to Austin, then quite q small
place, and his winning manners and
sterling integrity soou attracted to him
many frienus, he was reared to man
hood in the South, was slave owner,
but was opposed to the late civil war,
believing it would result disastrously
to the South. In politics, while in
Clined to be Republican, he made it
rigid rule to vote for the best man,
regardless of his politics. In 1865,
under Governor A. j. Hamilton, he
was chief clerk in the office of secre-
tary oil state, aud 1887 he was appoint
ed commissioner of the general land
office, position he filled for three
years with signal ability. So satis-
factory was his admins ration of
the land office, and so great
was the confidence of the
people in his honesty and sterling
worth that in 1870 prominent men all
over the state, both Democrats and
Republicans, urged him to make the
race for the office against tie nominee
on the f. j. Davis ticket. He finally
consented with the distinct under-
standing that he would make no per-
sonal canvass. The result OF the cleo
ton, the first after the war, is mat.
ter of history-E, J. Davis and his
ticket were counted in. Mr.. Spence
then formed partnership with Col.
A b. McGiIl in the real estate busi"
ness which continued until 1915,
when he and the late {. r. Johnson
formed partnership WITCH cOntin
ued until 1854, since which time
Mr.. Spence has been alone in
in business. Some time ago, without
| solicitation on his part and to his very
great surprise, he was appointed re-
Ceiver for the Austin Water, Light
and Power company, which position
| he held at the lime OF his death.
Joseph Spence ranked among the
| best land lawyers in this state and
he had the unbounded confidence of
all officials and all private citizens
with whom he had dealings He had
rare opportunities to take advantage
and accumulate vast wealth but his
very soul rebelled at anything that
was not strictly just and honorable,
and mis- standard of such was about as
high as it ever reaches in this world.
In public and private life Joseph
Spence was model man. No man
ever heard him speak ill of another.
He was quiet and domestic in his
habits and it was in his home where
his noble attributes shown brightest
His was generous soul, his fidelity
to every trust was magnificent and
his integrity was sublime. No man
stood higher in the estimation of the
community and his death will be
mourned by large number of friends