An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. 1893

JOHN SPENCER, one of the Pioneer plumbers of the Pacific coast, was born in West
Derby, near Liverpool, England, January 8, 1833, descended from English
ancestry, who for generations had been connected with the plumbing business. At
the age of thirteen years he began learning his trade, which in the old country
combined plumbing, painting and glazing, and after an apprenticeship of five
years he became a finished and scientific workman. In 1851 he emigrated to the
United States and entered the employ of John Hudson, of Brooklyn, New York, a
representative plumber of that city, and with him remained until 1852, when
Hudson decided to come to California, and, as young Spencer was the most
competent of his several workmen, he decided to bring John to the coast. Hudson
then started by the Panama route, while John made the passage by rounding Cape
Horn, upon the good ship Eliza Mallory, and after a voyage of five months landed
in San Francisco, October 20, 1852. Hudson then started a shop in San Francisco
and our subject was his right-hand man. There was no plumbing in that early day,
the work being chiefly connected with engines and pumps. During the winter they
fitted the first gas pipes in the city, at Austin's dry-goods store, Lawrence
street. As jobs were unfrequent, and the life of the city very gay and
expensive, young Spencer soon exhausted his small capital, and, in the spring of
1853, with a few companions, decided to conic to Puget Sound. They accomplished
their plan by working their passage upon a sailing vessel. The schooner
Dameriscove duly arriving at Steilacoom the boys then contracted with the
captain to load the vessel with lumber at Crosby's mill at Tumwater, and this
work being accomplished their cash capital was increased. They then organized a
gold expedition to the Olympic mountains, traveling by canoe across the Sound
and up the Dacqueboose river. This trip was made midst great danger from the
Indians. They, however, returned with fair prospects, but with insufficient
machinery the claim was never successfully developed. Our subject then engaged
as cook in a logging camp at Port Discovery at $20 per month, but was soon after
promoted to "ax-man" at better wages, and subsequently became a partner in the
business. He then purchased a half interest with Ben Gibbs, in the "Clallam
Bell," a five-ton centerboard sloop, and did a general jobbing business about
the Sound, making regular trips between Olympia and Dungeness, carrying
passengers, mail, freight, etc. This business was continued very profitably
about one year, but being in opposition to the Hudson's Bay Company, with no
protection, it became very dangerous, and in 1855 Mr. Spencer retired from the
business. He then decided to return to England to visit his parents, making the
trip to San Francisco by sailing vessel. The attractions of that city soon
exhausted his savings, and he engaged at his trade at $8 per day to go to Peru,
and there worked about eight months, when he tired of the country and took
passage on ship Wonata for London. After a pleasant visit with his family and
associates, he sail for Melbourne, Australia, and immediately found work at his
trade at good wages, and for seven months was engaged upon the roof of the
Parliament buildings. In 1857 he returned to England, and was married in
Liverpool, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Prouse, remaining in that city up to 1862.
Wages were low and no opportunities were offered for elevating the mechanic, and
he was impressed with a desire to return to Puget Sound. This he accomplished in
1862 by paying one-half of passage and assisting the steward for balance of pay.
He landed in Victoria, British Columbia, in August of the same year, with but
$3.50 in his pocket and no friends in the country. Work was plentiful and he
soon secured a contract, which, being successfully carried out, made for him
both friends and a reputation. He opened a shop and soon became the leading
plumber of that city. In 1864 he sent for his family, and continued his business
in Victoria until 1870, when he removed to Stockton. California, and operated a
shop for twelve months, then removed to Oakland and conducted the leading
business of that city up to April, 1882. He then returned to the Sound country
and located in Seattle, He brought stock from Oakland and immediately opened a
shop, which he successfully conducted up to the great fire of June, 1889, when
he was burned out and then retired from business, having so invested his
earnings from time to time as to afford him a comfortable competency. In 1890,
after an absence of twenty-eight years, he and wife returned to the old country,
and made a delightful visit amongst the scenes of childhood. Returning to
Seattle he began improving his property for business and residence purposes, and
is now occupied in looking after his several interests. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer
have seven children, all of whom have reached maturity: John W., Elizabeth M.,
now Mrs. J.B. Swyney: Louisa I., now Mrs. R.C. Portway; Robert P., Mary A.,
Samuel G. and Charles M. Thus briefly have we related some of the trials of the
Pacific coast pioneer, who has lived upon dried salmon and potatoes, clams,
fish, etc., has made his own clothes from flour sacks and blankets, and who yet
says that he has "never seen any very hard times." His indomitable will and
energy have enabled him to overcome all obstacles, and hopefulness ever changed
the shadows of life into rays of joy and brightness.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.