John C. Spera

BIBLE, DRAGER, SPERA

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 2/16/2006 at 11:48:28

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 27, 1945

JOHN C. SPERA, Prominent Farmer Died Thursday

John C. Spera, prominent Madison county farmer, who was widely known for his contribution to the development of purebred Poland China hogs, died at his home west of Winterset last Thursday of a heart attack. He was 75 years of age, and had been confined to his home by poor health for the past 12 years.

Mr. Spera was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born near Mechanicsburg on Oct. 21, 1869, the son of William and Elvina Spera. He was married Nov. 26, 1888, to Annetta Drager of Boiling Springs, Pa. They lived first in Illinois, coming to Madison County, 31 years ago.

Mr. Spera was a pioneer in developing the Poland China breed of hogs to their present type. Operating under the name of J. C. Spera and Sons, he sold hogs into every swine producing state in the union. In 1919 he paid $5,000 for a choice boar, believed to be the highest price ever paid for a hog in this county.

He was a member of the United Brethren church. He was also affiliated with the Odd Fellows lodge and had belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America for over 40 years.

Mrs. Spera died about a year ago. He is survived by four sons, Guy Spera of Dubuque, Raymond, Will and Kenneth Spera of Winterset; two grandchildren; a brother, Will Spera, and a sister, Mrs. Lillie Bible of Decatur, Ill.

Funeral services were held Saturday from the Ramsey-Richards Funeral home, in charge of the Rev. Ward Kessler of Stuart. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

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