The fourth child born to Henry Jefferson Spence and Mary Anna Ratliff was Gertrude Spence, born June 3, 18941. Gertrude lived with her parents and siblings in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas in 18952 and 19003. The family was living in Baker, Crawford, Kansas in 19054 and 19105.
Besson Spence Marriage
Gertrude married Desire Besson on February 22, 1913 in Crawford County, Kansas6. Desire was born in Rich Hill, Bates County, Missouri on March 20, 1887 to Zoe Pierrot and Hubert Besson7. On July 19, 1914, the young couple welcomed home their first child, Lois Loretta Besson8. The young family was living in Dunkirk, Crawford, Kansas in 19159. Gertrude and Desire welcomed their second daughter, Leona Besson, on April 11, 191710. In 1920 the family is found in Washington, Crawford, Kansas11.
Children
- Lois Loretta Besson was born July 19, 1914 in Dunkirk, Crawford, Kansas12.
- Leona D. Besson was born on April 11, 1917 in Dunkirk, Crawford, Kansas and died May 29, 1912 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois13. Leona married Ivan Rex Brown on July 25, 1939 in St. Charles, Missouri14. Rex was born January 1, 1917 in Illinois and died September 15, 199515. The couple had 2 daughters.
Desire and Gertrude relocated their family to Stonington, Christian County, Illinois by 193016. They were still in Stonington, Christian, Illinois for the 1940 census17.
Gertrude died on June 26, 1958 and is buried in Old Stonington Cemetery in Stonington, Christian, Illinois18. Desire died on February 13, 1976 and is buried next to his wife at Old Stonington Cemetery19.