This robust looking fellow is my great-great-great-great grandfather, CharlesWright Spence. (Yes, that is four greats, and this is on my dad's side of the family.)
He was born on November 5, 1824 in a small village in Scotland. His father, my 5x great grandfather served as a soldier under King George III of Great Britain.
Because his father died when Charles was very young, he began working at the tender age of ten , earning just six cents a day to help his mother support his brothers and sisters. He then tried shoe making, but, eventually became a coal miner, and was a coal miner for 30 years.
He married Elizabeth Morrison Spence on Jan 11, 1847, and soon after they both converted to the Mormon church. In October 18, 1872, they began the long journey to America, and on Nov. 3, 1872 arrived in Rock Springs. In March 1873 they moved to Wellsville, Utah, where they lived the remainder of their lives.
Charles passed away in December of 1902. Elizabeth passed away in December 1916.
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| Elizabeth and Charles Spence |
