Edward Falles Spence

Edward Fallis Spence
Born	Template:Birth date Enniskillen, Ireland
Died	September 19, 1892(1892-09-19) (aged 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Banker, businessman, real estate developer, politician
Years active	1852–1892
Known for	Mayor of Los Angeles (1884–1886), founder of University of Southern California, president of First National Bank of Los Angeles

Edward Fallis Spence (December 22, 1832 – September 19, 1892) was a multifaceted figure known for his roles as a banker, businessman, real estate developer, California legislator, Nevada County official, and served as mayor of Los Angeles between 1884 and 1886.

Personal

Born in Enniskillen, Ireland, Spence was the son of Gabriel Spence. Receiving his education from private tutors, he emigrated to the United States at age 20. Initially, he worked on a farm in Pennsylvania before reaching San Francisco in December 1852 via the Nicaragua route. He spent approximately two decades in Northern California and Nevada, ultimately establishing himself in San Jose, California.

Following periods in San Jose and San Diego, Spence returned to Ireland in 1872 where he married Anna Maria Spence from County Tyrone, his second wife. The couple relocated to Monrovia and had four children: William Glenn, George Edward, Albert Harry, and Kathleen. Additionally, Spence had two children from his first marriage.

Spence passed away due to heart failure on September 19, 1892, at a friend's residence located on Burlington Avenue near Ninth Street in what is now the Westlake district. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in Los Angeles at that time. He was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery.

Vocation

Spence honed his business skills managing extensive family farming operations and cattle in Ireland. He later ventured into mining activities across Northern California and Nevada before taking control of a prominent pharmaceutical business in San Jose. Subsequently, he transitioned into banking and played a key role in founding the Commercial Bank of San Diego.

In 1875, Spence assumed the position of cashier at the Commercial Bank of Los Angeles, which reorganized into the Commercial State Bank by 1880. This institution eventually evolved into the First National Bank of Los Angeles, where Spence became president in 1881. Beyond this, he invested in other banking ventures and owned real estate holdings in Whittier and Monrovia, California.

He also financed important transportation initiatives such as the first horse-drawn streetcar line crossing the Los Angeles River and introduced the city’s inaugural electric streetcar line in 1886.

Public service

As a Republican politician, Spence was elected to represent Nevada County in the California State Assembly in 1860 and later served as county treasurer. Between 1879 and 1881, he represented the 3rd Ward on the Los Angeles Common Council.

During his mayoral term from 1884 to 1886, Spence implemented reforms including restructuring the Police and Fire Departments by establishing salaried positions. His administration also eliminated Los Angeles’s final open freshwater ditch system.

University of Southern California

Spence was instrumental as a founder and board member of the University of Southern California (then known as Methodist College). He pledged property assets—including a parcel at Pearl and Sixth streets—to support a telescope project on Mount Wilson. University President Marion M. Bovard commissioned a lens from Alvan Clark & Sons; however, following Spence’s death, the arrangement was discontinued and the lens was sold to the University of Chicago.

Although some accounts mention a $50,000 cash donation promise from Spence, it was later clarified that his contribution consisted of land which depreciated significantly. This financial shortfall compelled USC to cancel its contract for what would have been the world’s largest forty-inch telescope.