James C Speer 1841-1914

SPEER, KING, BALDWIN, WATSON, WHITE

Posted By: Steve Speer (email)
Date: 6/22/2008 at 15:44:54

Pocahontas Democrat
Pocahontas, Iowa
26 November 1914

OBITUARY

James Speer, the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day in Le Claire, Scott county, Iowa on Nov. 14, 1841. He was baptized in and had affiliated with the United Presbyterian church in early life. At the age of 21 he heard the call of his country to military service and enlisted with the 8th Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge.

On April the 2nd, when he was united in matrimony with Elizabeth King, and a home was made on their farm near Traer, Iowa. And this union was blessed of God by the gift of five children, all of who were present at his funeral. They are Geo., Frank, and Chester of Havelock. Mrs. L. D. Baldwin and Mrs. A. C. Watson, of Palmer.

In 1894 the family moved to their home near Havelock, and retired from there about three ago. This somewhat eventful life came to a close after a brief illness on Tuesday morning, November 17th, 1914, death being due to a complication of diseases. His age being 73 years and 3 days.

James was of a family of eight children, 6 boys and 2 girls, one of each only surviving him. Namely, Mrs. James White, of Harlan, Iowa, and Andrew Speer, also of this state. These with the surviving widow receive the hearty sympathy of a large circle of friends and neighbors.

The above obituary constitutes part of the funeral services which were conducted in the M.E. church at Havelock, Iowa, Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19, 1914. The sermon was preached by the pastor, William P. Webb, from the text, Heb. XI, Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.