Andrew Shelton Speer (1920)
ANDERSON, BLOOMQUIST, BRICKER, EVANS, KIRBY, MCQUEE, PLATT, SPEER, WHITE
Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 11/13/2007 at 21:43:28
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 25, 1920ANDREW SHELTON SPEER
Andrew Shelton Speer was born February 18, 1830, in Lawrence county, Indiana, son of Andrew and Dicy (Kirby) Speer. He was of a family of eleven children of which one is still living, Jesse Speer of Perkins, Oklahoma who is in very feeble health at the present time.
Mr. Speer received his education in Indiana and taught in the public schools there before coming to Iowa in 1853. He immediately entered from the government land on which he has resided continually and the government patent is still in force. He soon had a log cabin built and set up bachelors hall for a few years until he could build a home for his chosen companion.
In April 1863, Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Evans. To this union were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters: James M., who has remained with his parents and helped care for them; Alice Anderson of near Norwalk; Andrew J., who died in 1899; Elizabeth Platt of Jackson township; Robert E., a traveling musician now at home; Dicy McQuee of Penn township; John C., who died August 11, 1914; William G., of Stewart; Charles Darwin, who has remained with his parents; Adela Bloomquist of Jackson township; Blanche White, of Dallas County,; and Mabel Bricker, of Madison Township.
Mr. Speer has lived a long and prosperous life. He was always interested in his family and their welfare and was a great lover of nature. The house which he first built, in which all the children were born, is still standing and in use.
Mrs. Speer preceded Mr. Speer a few weeks, having died July 15, 1920. Mr. Speer was the oldest resident of Jackson township.
Mr. Speer passed away August 11, 1920, aged 90 years, 5 months and 21 days, just exactly six years after the death of his son, John C. He had been ailing for about two years and since the death of Mrs. Speer he has not cared to live longer
He leaves twenty-five grand children, four great grand children, besides a whole host of neighbors and friends.
The funeral services were conducted in the home, August 13, by Walter Girdner and burial was made at Worthington cemetery.
________________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 18, 1920
Page 1, Column 3ANDREW SPEER PASSES AWAY
AGED PIONEER DIES IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP HOME, WAS NINETY YEARS OLD.
DIED ON FARM HE ENTERED
Lived Sixty-seven Years On One Farm. His First Home Yet Standing. Honored Man
Andrew Shelton Speer, for 67 years a resident of Madison county, died at his old home farm in Jackson township on August 11. The funeral was held Friday at the residence and the interment was at Worthington.
Andrew Speer was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, February 3, 1830. His father’s name was Andrew, as was his grandfather’s who came from Inland. He came to Madison county with a party of Hoosier immigrants in 1853 and entered the first land, 240 acres in Jackson township. Game was plentiful and the young school teacher hunted and trapped and fished to his heart’s content. Wearing a fur coat he was mistaken for a deer by a hunter and shot in the jaw, almost losing his life.
He was a successful farmer and stock raiser. The farm which he bought from the government in 1852 for $1.25 an acre and on which he yet lived at the time of his death, has never been transferred and the deed stands in his name.
In 1863 Andrew Speer married Nancy Evans, the daughter of Robert Evans, of Douglas township who came to the county in 1848. Mrs. Speer also lived to a great old age, her death occurring only a month ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Speer her the parents of 12 children: James M.; Mrs. Alice Anderson, of Norwalk; Andrew J, who died in 1899; Elizabeth Piatt, of Jackson township; Robert E., A musician; Dicy McQuie of Penn township; John C., who died in 1914; William G. and Charles Darwin, both at home; Adela Bloomquist, of Adair county; Blanche white, of Dallas county, and Mabel Bricker.
The Speer home was noted for its hospitality. Mr. Speer always took an active interest in the affairs of the community and the nation. He died with the respect and honor and love of all who were intimately acquainted with him.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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