James Spencer McHenry (Nashville, TN)

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Photo of James S. McHenry (date unknown)

James Spencer McHenry (February 16,1867 – January 1, 1928)

Biography

James Spencer McHenry was born on February 16, 1867 in Carthage, Tennessee, to James William McHenry (1832-1876) and Louisa Jane (Huddleston) McHenry (1839-1910). James William McHenry was a lawyer, and he moved his family to Nashville in 1872. Later, he served as a special judge on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Spencer, as he was known, attended the local public schools. His father, James, died when Spencer was 9 years old, and the 1880 census has his mother renting out rooms in the family home, no doubt to help make ends meet.

Spencer attended Vanderbilt University from 1884 to 1886. Around this same time, he began as a runner for the Fourth National Bank of Nashville, charter 1669. After he completed his studies at Vanderbilt, he went to work at Fourth National as a clerk, according to the 1886 Nashville City Directory. By 1887 he had been promoted to teller. Spencer was promoted through the various teller positions until April 2, 1906, when he was promoted to the position of Assistant Cashier at Fourth National.

On June 9, 1897, Spencer married Miss Carrie Hoyt, also of Nashville. Together they had one child, Caroline McHenry, who was born June 19, 1904. Sadly, Caroline would only live 9 years before passing from this earth on July 25, 1913.

Perhaps the highlight of Spencer's career as a teller at Fourth National Bank occurred on October 14, 1901 at 2:30 pm. Just before closing, a well dressed young woman came to Spencer's teller cage and attempted to exchange $500 worth of $10 and $20 national bank notes drawn on The National Bank of Montana at Helena, Montana, charter 5671. Spencer was suspicious of the attempted exchange, and recalled a Pinkerton flyer that had been sent to banks recently regarding the robbery of a train in Montana earlier that year in July. Sure enough, the serial numbers on the banknotes matched the stolen banknotes and Spencer notified the banks' cashier, Joseph Toy Howell, who then notified the bank president, Samuel Keith, who then made a call to the local police station. The young woman, Annie Rogers, girlfriend of Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan, was arrested and charged with several crimes. Harvey Logan was a member of The Wild Bunch Gang, along with Butch Cassidy and a certain Harry Longabaugh, the Sundance Kid. The 1969 movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, had a scene where they blew up a train car in an attempt to open the safe inside. While Butch and Sundance were not part of the "The Great Northern Train Robbery" in July, 1901, the robbers did indeed use dynamite to open the safe. There are a couple links at the bottom of this article if you'd like to read more about this robbery and Annie's capture in Nashville.

On January 14, 1909, Spencer was promoted to Cashier of Fourth National Bank, and was also made a Director. He did not stay in this position very long, because on July 5th, 1912, Fourth National Bank merged with the First National Bank of Nashville, charter 150, and Spencer was promoted to Vice-President of the combined bank. Spencer would remain as Vice-President of Fourth and First National Bank of Nashville until his death. Spencer was a member of the Belle Mead Country Club, and was considered by many as a shy and studious man.

On January 1, 1928, Spencer suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at his home. He was 60 years old. He was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, in Nashville.

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, J. S. McHenry was involved with the following bank(s):

$5 Series 1902 Date Back bank note with printed signatures of J.S. McHenry, Cashier and W.C. Dibrell, President.


Sources

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