Born in Sterling, Kansas, Pence attended the UC Berkeley School of Law, but read law to enter the bar in 1928.
He was in private practice of law in Hilo, Territory of Hawaii from 1936 to 1945.
He was a judge of the Third Circuit Court of the Territory of Hawaii from 1945 to 1950.
[1] Pence was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on September 14, 1961, to the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, to a new seat created by 73 Stat.
His service was terminated on January 31, 2000, due to his retirement.