Daughter of James Morrison and Jean Jane Miller

Married Charles Wright Spence, 11 Jan 1847, Deport, Fife, Scotland

Biography - Rock Springs Miner, Jan 21, 1897
Golden Wedding Celebration

On January 11th, 1897, the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. Charles Wright Spence and Elizabeth Morrison Spence, the parents of our respected citizen, Charles, Andrew and George Spence, was celebrated amid much rejoicing, at their residence in Wellsville, Cache county, Utah.

Over one hundred guests were present, including members of the family. Among the latter were their two sons, George and Andrew and son-in-law, Peter McBride and grandson and daughter, Peter McBride, Jr., and Elizabeth McBride from Rock Springs, who have since returned.

A marriage feast was prepared and served by the family. The table groaned with its burden of good things and from the cellar was drawn the best of vintage. It was a feast in truth, such as suited the occasion, and conducive to the comfort and happiness of the participants, who imparted joy to the old couple by their friendly actions and kind expressions. After supper the hours sped fast with song and dance. Father Spence showed his vocal power by singing "Old Dogy Tray" and Mother Spence was equally full of melody with her excellent rendition of "Doon the Burn, Davie Lad." After their meritorious efforts the old couple were liberally cheered.

Presents, handsome, appropriate and in large numbers were presented to them by the guests and many more came from absent friends in Rock Springs, to whom, through the MINER, they desire to express their thanks for so kindly remembering them.

While the Spence brothers were at home they attended a party in the hall, given in honor of two elders who were about to depart on a mission to Manitoba and other parts in Canada. A purse of $250 was presented to them as a gift from the people of Wellsville. Andrew and George also joined a surprise party who beseiged the home of Elder Thomas Leisbman, who will, in a short time, go on a mission to Great Britain.

A golden wedding is an event of rare occurence and, therefore, most important in social circles. The Spence brothers are popularly known here, being men of sterling worth and principle and the MINER'S readers being interested in the old couple, the parents of our friends, who heard the golden wedding bells ring forth their joyful sound, we have pursuaded Mr. A. M. Spence to give us a brief history of their lives which we take pleasure in publishing.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF CHARLES WRIGHT SPENCE.

Charles Wright Spence was born November 5, 1824, in the little village of Smeaton, near Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland. He is the son of Alexander Hunter Spence and Catherine Wright. His father served as a soldier under King George the Third of Great Britain, and afterwards held the office of an elder in the United Presbyterian church of Scotland. He died when young Charles was but four years old, and of course the latter never knew much of a father's love. His widowed mother was left in rather poor circumstances, with a family of six small children. Charles, when only ten years of age, was sent to work at a spinning mill and for his labor received six cents a day which went to help to sustain the family. Becoming dissatisfied he applied himself to shoemaking for one year, but not liking the trade he went down into the bowels of the earth as a coal miner and at this business he remained 30 years. His last coal mining was done in Rock Springs in 1873.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH MORRISON SPENCE.

Elizabeth Morrison Spence was born January 3, 1827, at Dysart, Fifeshire, Scotland. She is the daughter of Elder James Morrison and Jane Miller. Mr. Morrison had two families; his first wife had by him nine sons and one daughter; his second wife had by him two sons and two daughters. Mother Spence was the youngest of the second family. She was twelve years old when her father died. Shortly after the death of her father the family moved to the little town of Galiatown. Mr. Morrison held the office of an elder in the United Presbyterian church of Scotland, and was a God fearing man, very much respected by all who knew him. It was there where Father and Mother Spence first became acquainted. It must have been a case of love at first sight as they had never seen one another before and it was some time before they saw each other again. But he often asked his companions where the "pretty black eyed lassie that wore the blue frock" lived. It seems that fate drew them together, for shortly after that they got married at Dysart, by Rev. William Muir, Jan. 11th, 1847, notwithstanding the fact that his companions used their best endeavors to break up the match.

Shortly after their marriage they moved to the town of Lochgelly, where both were converted to Mormonism and were baptized by Elder David Hutchinson, of Wellsville. No sooner had they received the Gospel than the spirit of gathering to the bosom of the church in Utah rested upon them, but circumstances prevented them until the month of October, 1872. They arrived with their family in Rock Springs on November 3rd, 1872 and in March, 1873, went to Wellsville, Utah, where they have since resided.

RAISED AN EXEMPLARY FAMILY

Mr. and Mrs. Spence had eleven children, five sons and six daughters. One daughter, Isabella, died in Scotland; another daughter, Jane Spence Leatham, died and was buried at Rexburg, Idaho, and a third daughter, Catherine Spence McBride, wife of Peter McBride, of Rock Springs, died at Salt Lake city and was buried in the cemetery at Wellsville.

One son, James Spence, died on the train near Evanston, on his way home to Wellsville from Rock Springs. There are still living four sons, viz: Alexander, Charles, George and Andrew M. and three daughters, Elizabeth Spence Cooper, Grace Spence Bailey and Margaret M. They have forty seven granchildren.

They are comfortable in their old age in their happy home at Wellsville, surrounded by loving daughters, noble sons and true friends. Firm believers in the gospel of the Latter Day Saints, they have done much good on earth and are still engaged in the noble work.

Father Spence has held every office in the Priesthood except that of a Seventy from a Deacon to a High Priest. The family are all members of the church in good standing. Two of their sons have performed honorable missions in the nations of the earth. They felt honored to see so many of their friends come to pay their respects on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day and they desire to be kindly remembered to all their friends in Rock Springs.