John Brodie Spence was born on 15th May 1825 in Melrose, Scotland, and died on 7th December 1902 in Glenelg, S.A. He arrived in Adelaide in 1839 on the 'Palmyra' with his family. Starting his career in 1846 at the Bank of South Australia, he became a prominent figure in accounting, management, financial advice, and company law, also serving in the Legislative Council until 1888. In 1852, Spence owned a brick house in Pulteney Street, Adelaide, and partnered with A. Malcolm to produce aerated waters in Franklin Street. After Malcolm sold the business to Robert Ramsay in early 1853, the operation moved to Flinders Street. Around this time, Spence produced his own aerated waters, with his bottles marked "J.B. SPENCE CARRARA WATER." On 1st September 1853, Spence and James Hamilton Parr leased a warehouse in Flinders Street. They sold the business to Robert Haswell and William Elder within a year. Haswell & Elder operated until 22nd March 1856, when Charles Phibbs joined Elder. Elder and Phibbs continued until 1858.		J B Spence Company ID : 5.001.S222 Flinders Street,Adelaide Established : 1852 Closed : 1854
South Australian Free Press 29th October 1853 South Australian Register 19th July 1854