James C. Pence, M.D.
James C. Pence, M.D., one of the experienced physicians and surgeons of Lima, and also one of the city's most highly esteemed citizens, was born March 16, 1859, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Conwell) Pence.
The parents of Dr. Pence removed in 1864 from Eastern Ohio to Van Wert County, where the father engaged in farming and reared his family. He now lives retired in Buckland, Ohio.
Dr. Pence was five years old when his parents settled in Van Wert County, and there on his father's farm he grew to manhood. Having an inclination in the direction of medicine, he read with a local practitioner until prepared to enter the Cincinnati Medical College. He first began to practice in 1885, and in the year following was graduated at the Fort Wayne Medical College. In 1895 he attended lectures and was graduated at the New York Polyclinic. He took a post-graduate course there in 1902, visiting noted clinics and gaining experience in every modern method of medicine and surgery. Dr. Pence's first field of practice was at Spencerville, where he continued for 11 years, coming to Lima in 1898. He ranks high both as a physician and as a citizen, and since January 2, 1905, he has been president of the Board of Education.
Dr. Pence married Mary Griswold, a daughter of Delbert Griswold, and they have one daughter Helen M. Dr. and Mrs. Pence are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Dr. Pence is identified with the Republican Party. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and the Elks.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 2, Edited & Compiled by Charles C. Miller, Ph. D.; Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906