John Brodie Spence
John Brodie Spence | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Melrose, Scotland |
| Died | December 7, 1902 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician |
| Known for | Banking and political career in South Australia; founding trustee and chairman of the State Bank |
John Brodie Spence (15 May 1824 – 7 December 1902) was a banker and politician of Scottish origin who played a significant role in the development of early South Australia. He was the sibling of the notable reform advocate Catherine Helen Spence and father to the social reformer Lucy Morice.
Spence was born in Melrose, Scotland, to David Spence (1790–1846), who served as Adelaide's inaugural Town Clerk, and Helen Brodie Spence (1791–1887). In 1839, he relocated to South Australia with his family aboard the .[1][2] After initially engaging in farming, he shifted to Adelaide in 1845 and commenced employment at either the Bank of Adelaide or the Bank of South Australia, dedicating seven years there. Following this, he spent five years working as an official assignee and curator for intestate estates. In 1856, he took up an accounting role within the Railway Department and returned to serve as Official Assignee from 1859 until 1864. He subsequently assumed management of the English and Scottish Bank (which later became the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank) until 1878. From 1879 to 1881, he collaborated with Arthur Harvey on land development ventures in The Grange and East Adelaide.
Spence was elected to the legislative council in 1881, securing second place on the poll alongside distinguished figures such as Henry Ayers. He held the position of Chief Secretary in the Downer Government between June and October 1885 before being appointed Commissioner of Public Works. He briefly resumed duties as Chief Secretary in mid-1886. On 5 February 1896, he was named among the founding trustees of the State Bank, a role he maintained as chairman until his passing.
Family
John Brodie Spence's parents were David Spence (1790–1846) and Helen Spence née Brodie (1791–1887). Their offspring included:
- Agnes Spence (1818–1835)
- Janet "Jessie" Spence (1821–1888), who married businessman and journalist Andrew Murray in 1841
- William Richard Spence (1822–1903), who resided in New Zealand
- Catherine Helen Spence (1825–1910)
- David Spence, Jr. (1827–1890), educated in Scotland before emigrating in 1846; remained unmarried
- Mary Brodie Spence (c.1830–1870), married solicitor William John Wren in 1855
- Eliza Brodie Spence (1833–1836), died during childhood
In 1858, John Brodie Spence wed Jessie Cumming (1830–1910). The couple lived at "Fenton" in Glenelg, South Australia. They had three daughters:
- Louise (Lucy) Morice née Spence (1859–1951), recognized for her work as a kindergarten educator and social reformer; she received an MBE for her efforts promoting free kindergartens; married James Percy Morice in 1886
- Agnes Helen Spence (1863–1949)
- Margaret Ethel Spence (born 1865), who married George A. Stephen in 1887
Further reading
Magarey, Susan Unbridling the Tongues of Women: A biography of Catherine Helen Spence University of Adelaide Press, 2nd edition 2010 . Available for free at Web.Archive.org
References
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- South Australian Legislative Council members
- Bankers from Australia
- Real estate entrepreneurs in Australia
- Born in 1824
- Deceased in 1902
- Australian politicians of the 19th century
- Individuals originating from Melrose, Scottish Borders
- Settlers in South Australia
- Scottish immigrants to colonial Australia
- 19th-century Australian entrepreneurs
- Former players of Old Adelaide Football Club
- Australian bankers