Santa Barbara County Biographies

JOHN SPENCE

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JOHN SPENCE, of Santa Barbara, is a native of England, born at Little Gransden, 
Cambridgeshire, January 14, 1848. He remained there until 1870, when he emigrated 
to America. He was, at fourteen years of age, apprenticed to learn the business of a 
landscape gardener, which he thoroughly mastered, and upon his arrival in America 
assumed charge of the gardens of one of the wealthiest men of Norwich, Connecticut. 
He there read of the natural beauties of California, and in 1875 came to Santa Barbara. 
He leased the ground, now comprising his present home, for five years, which he 
planted to fruit trees, small shrubery, flowers and palms. The sale of stock from this 
business brought him a handsome income, and he gradually added to it ornamental 
and fruit trees and shrubery. He also engaged quite extensively in the raising of Pampas 
plumes, and is a pioneer in this now important industry. At the New Orleans Exposition 
of 1885 he made an exhibit of 10,000 plumes, which attracted much attention, a portion 
of them being dyed in various beautiful hues, and most tastefully arranged. His design 
of the American flag, which spanned the California exhibit, a rainbow thirty- six feet in 
length and a pyramid thirty feet in height, were special features of the exposition. He 
had charge of the Santa Barbara County exhibit, and did himself great credit, a; well as
the county which he represented, in his management of affairs. He is one of the active 
members of the Santa Barbara Horticultural Society. 

Mr. Spence was married in England, to Miss Helen F. Reeve. She is an enthusiastic 
admirer of flowers, and takes a lively interest in flower culture. They have four 
children, and one of the most beautiful homes in Southern California. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.