11 Facts About Spencer Pettis

Spencer Darwin Pettis was a US Representative from Missouri, serving from 1828 until his death in 1831.

Spencer Pettis was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, to parents John and Martha Pettis in 1802.

Spencer Pettis's father was a veteran of the American Revolution, serving with the 1st Regiment, Virginia Line at the Battle of Guilford Court House and elsewhere.

Spencer Pettis received at least enough education to study for the law and become a practicing attorney.

Spencer Pettis moved west in 1821, settling in central Missouri's Boonslick region, opening a law practice in the Howard County seat of Fayette, Missouri.

Spencer Pettis would serve less than one full term in the legislature however.

Spencer Pettis, seeking every vote possible, had a large number of handbills printed promoting his campaign and distributed them far and wide across the most remote areas of the state.

Spencer Pettis would be reelected to a second term in Congress in 1830, but by then the die had been cast in a conflict that would rock Missouri politics and take Spencer Pettis' life.

Spencer Pettis was reelected to US Congress in November 1830, but the feud between the two refused to die.

Things escalated dramatically on July 9,1831, when Thomas Biddle heard that an ill Spencer Pettis was resting in a St Louis hotel.

At the court proceedings, Spencer Pettis attempted to draw a pistol, with the intention of shooting Biddle, but was restrained by friends.