Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-11-09
DEATH OF JAMES SPENSLEY.
Prominent and Worthy Citizen of Min
erai Point for Nearly Sixty Years.

eral Point for Nearly Sixty Years.
James Spensley is no more. The It'd
ings of his death saddened every home
circle of this community. Mr.. Spens-
ley died at the home of his daughter in
Madison at 3 o'clock last Saturday
morning, Nov. 4. He was So years old
last April. and beside his wife leaves
four sons. Frank OF Iowa, Edward and
Richard of Montana, and Mont. who is
in the United States navy; and two
daughters, Miss Nellie, teacher in
the normal and Industrial school at
Aberdeen, S. Oak, and Mrs. Otto Ru-
hotf of Madison. Mr.. Spensley settled
in Mineral Point in 1856. and from that
time until two years ago. when he
went to Madison. was INCREASINGLY ac-
tive for all that was upright, both in
business and social life. For years
from his first coming he was engaged
in the business of smelting~ore and at
the same time devoted good deal of
attention to farming and stock raising.
| Mr.. Spensley was born in Yorkshire,
England, April II, 1888, and came to
this country with his parents when he
was six years old. The family settled
at Dubuque where Mr.. Spensley re-
ceived a common English education
and assisted his father. He left home
at the age of l6 years and with an OK
team started across the plains for Cali
fornia.
Owing to the large emigration of
that year the feed of every kind on
the way was consumed and within six
miles of Pacerville he was obliged to
abandon his team and walk the rest of
the way. With only a limited supply
Of food he finally reached his destina-
ton. He worked for three years with
varied success in the mines and then
left for San Francisco where he took
passage for New York by way of Pan
anna. When he reached home his par
ents had moved to Galena where his
father had engaged in the smelling
business. III health prevented him
from working in the mines but he kept
his fathers accounts In 1856 MIR.
Spensley removed to Mineral Point
where he established himself in the
smelling business under the firm
name of Jas. Spensley & Co. From
1861 Mr.. Spensley continued the BUSH
ness alone until his retirement.
Mr., Spensley was a worthy and eff
cient legislator. He supported all
measures of public welfare and all
worthy enterprises received his atten-
ton. He was earnest and energetic
for the betterment Of governmental
affairs and the welfare Of humanity,
and proved it beyond doubt in his SER
vices as state legislator, as chairman
of our county board, as a commissioner
Of our county home, and as mayor of
this city. He was a Republican.
Mr.. Spensey was leading member
of the Methodist Episcopal church of
this place from the time Of his coming
to the community until he went to Madi-
son to reside with his daughter on ae-
count of his affection blindness. This
covered span Of over fifty years. His
activity, his earnestness, his liberality
in and for his church and Christianity
were grand, adorable features of his
life. 1t can be said truthfully that
southwestern Wisconsin with its long
and splendid history for civilization and
God-loving teachings has had no more
prominent worker than James Spens-
ley. In the construction and in the Sc
curing of means therefor Of the mag
niiicent church edifice which from the
time of its completion in 1870 has stood
as monument to the character and
worth of our city. Mr. Spensley was a
tower of strength, pillar 80 to speak,
and his constant faithfulness ard zeal
ever after were as lilies browning the
pillar. He served the Sunday school
as its superintendent for thirty-iive
years. To him this was calling Of
pleasure and joy, and the hundreds Of
boys and girls who sat and imbibed Of
his kindness and goodly teachings.
though now scattered to the four quar-
ters Of the country, will ever remem-
Der him with with love, and pause to
tContinued on puge o.