The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-04

very hard times. He knew what II was 70
live II on dried salmon and potatoes, clans
and FISH. He had experienced the pleas
Tres OF making hts own clothes from
-four SACKS and blankets, yet through all
his indouitsble energy, combined With
never give-up'' spirit and a hopeful ma
ture, made the obstacles that baik or
binary men appesr as rignlies
John Spencer was born at West Derby,
near Liverpool. England, January S. 1893.
For years mis- ancestry had been engaged
In the plumbing business. At the age OF
- young Spencer commenced learning his
trade. which combined. In the old country.
plumbing. painting and glazing. At the
expiration OF five years he was i finished
workman. In ISL he came 10 the United
States and commenced work for John
Hudson, of Brooklyn, y. Y, one OF tho
leading plumbers of that time. He re-
manned with Hudson until 1852 and then
accompanied him 10 san Francisco. Spen-
Ger was considered by Hudson to be his
most competent workman, and this was
the reason the distinction OF accompany
ing him was conferred.
Spencer reached San Francisco October
%. NE. after a voyage OF five months
around Cape Horn on the ship Eliza Nal
lory. When Hudson started his shop In
San Francisco Spencer was his right-hand
man. There was no plumbing in those
engines and pumps. During the first win
ter they fitted the first gas pipes in San
Francisco at Aust.n's dry goods store on
Lawrence street. As Jobs were infrequen.
and the life of the city very gay, Spencer
soon exhausted hts small capital. and in
the spring of 1853. with few companions,
decided TO come TO Puget sound. They &C
compl.shed their plan by working their
passage on the schooner DameTiscove.
When the vessel arrived at Steilacoom the
party OF which Spencer was a member
contracted TO load a return cargo Of lum-
Der al Crosbys mill. Tumwater. The
money they earned by this enterprise gave
the men some capital and they organized
a gold prospecting expedition to the Olym-
pic mountains. They travelled by canoe to
the Duckahush river. Hood canal and
then went directly TO the mountains. IL
was claimed that they struck fair pros
poets but did not do any work. owing to
lack OF machinery
Spencer showed his versatility now by
taking a position as cook In a logging
camp at Port Discovery. After a short
time he was promoted TO "axman" and
later was made a partner in the business.
With this increase in his financial condi-
ton no purchased a half interest with
Ben Gibbs in the Ciallam Bell. five-ton
center-hoard slosp. For about a year the
sioep was run regularly between Olympia
and Dungeness with freight and passen-
hers. but being in competition with the
Hudson Bay Company. and at the same
time bereft Of protection. the business be-
came too dangerous and In 1855 Spencer
retired. He then decided 70 make a visit
20 his parents in England. From the
Sound he reached san Francisco IN a sail
ing vessel The attractions OF that city
soon exhausted his savings and he made
a contract to go TO Peru and work at his
trade for S n day. Eight months OF Peru
was enough for him. so he took pa usage
In ihr ship Wonata for London After a
visit with his parents and friends he went
20 Melbourne. Australia. and for seven
months was engaged In work on the par
lament building
In 1856 he returned to England and was
married az Liverpool 20 Miss Elizabeth
Jane Frouse- lie lived In England until
isf2. when he decided 10 return To Puget
sound He arrived IN Victoria in August
81 The same wear. with g. ~ in his n,cS.t
and ~ friends In the country. Work was
plentiful however. and ne soon mad. a
success NJ contracting soon he orane-. n
shop and IN time became the leading
plumber - Victoria His family ;ained
ftrn In iset. In $50 ~ moved 20 Sfo~<to,
Cal, and opera tel shop there for twelve
months Then he wen; 10 Oakland and
conducted the leading business = rho,
place until April. ISSc WHOM ~ came n
Seattle, bringing a large stock with him
He opened shop and was engaged in re-
tive business up - ire time the great IRE
swept everything away. During his resi-
deuce in Seattle ne had acquired properf,.
e. such an extent that NJ was able =, re-
tire and take things easy
In iS.A he and his wife, after an ahSerce
of twenty eight wears, visited the scenss
- their childhood M Spencer leaves a
wife ard seven children a. sotta,rs. r,hr
W. Elizabeth NJ. now Mrs. J. II Swvne,..
louisa 7. now Mrs n. c Portwar. Rob
or' ? Mary A. Samuel g.. and Charles
" Spencer.