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Spence, John Fletcher

educator, college president, was born Feb. 3, 1828, in Greenfield, Ohio. In 1853 he graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan university, and the same year joined the Cincinnati conference of the methodist episcopal church. In 1862 he entered the union army chaplain, and served till the close of the war, when he settled in Knoxville, Tenn. For three years he was as president of the Knoxville Female college; and since 1875 has been chancellor of the Grant university. When Doctor Spence took charge of the university, the property was in imminent danger of being sold for debt. He has secured a liberal endowment and a largely increased patronage; in 1889 brought about the annexation of Chattanooga university; and the institution is now one of the most prosperous universities in the south.