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biography
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Speer, James P., the president of the Freehold Bank of Pittsburg,
was born on Fourth Street, this city, December 28, 1825. The Rev. William Speer, the paternal grandfather, who was born in Cumberland County, and came of
honored Scotch-Irish ancestry, was early ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. The Rev. Mr. Speer preached in this State and in Ohio for many years,
laboring in his Master's cause with fervent zeal, until called to his eternal reward when about sixty-five years of age. He reared three children, two of them being daughters.
James R. Speer, born in Chambersburg, Pa., had excellent educational advantages. Having studied medicine and taken his degree, he located in Greensburg,
where he spent a few years. In 1825 he came to this city, where he was a successful practitioner. Becoming particularly interested in the treatment of
the eye and its diseases, he made that a special subject of study, so that in his later years he had an extended reputation as an oculist, his fame reaching
far beyond the limits of this county. He was a frequent contributor to the papers, magazines, and medical periodicals. At the same time he was one of the most
public-spirited citizens of his time, and did much to promote the advancement of the city. He was the foremost in the inauguration of many enterprises and one
of the leaders in the establishment of the Allegheny Cemetery . His death occurred in 1891, at the age of ninety-four years and ten months. Both he and his wife,
who lived eighty-five years, were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Her maiden name was Hetty Morrow, and she was born in Kittanning, Pa. Her father,
Paul Morrow, who in his early life studied law, and was afterward cashier of a bank at Greensburg, Pa., in later years removed to this city, where he died at an
advanced age. For some years he was Prothonotary of Armstrong County, and he had charge of the Presbyterian Publication Board in Pittsburg for some time.
James P. Speer was reared and educated in his native city. At the age of sixteen he began to earn his living as a clerk for the Portsmouth Rolling Mill Company.
He subsequently returned to Pittsburg, where he became a clerk for Joshua Hanna, being in his service at the time of the memorable fire in 1845. In 1849 he joined
the tide of gold-seekers flowing to California, and like thousands of others, after mining for some time, found himself far from home, with no available resources
at hand. He then embarked in business in San Francisco, and remained there until 1858, when he returned to the city of his birth. From that time until the breaking
out of the late Civil War, Mr. Speer was engaged in business in Armstrong County. Then, with the assistance of Colonel S. M. Jackson, he raised a company of volunteers,
had it accepted, and enlisted for three years. He was first made Lieutenant of the company. Afterward he was appointed Captain of Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves,
which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Gaines's Mill, Captain Speer had two balls put through his body, and was left on the field for dead. The rebels,
finding him alive, took him prisoner, and sent him to Richmond. Here he was incarcerated in Libby Prison for two or three hours, after which, being so severely wounded,
he was paroled. As soon as able to travel on crutches he came home. Restored to health after three months, he returned to his company, and at the battle of Gettysburg was
again wounded. A month later he was discharged on account of physical disability. Soon after his return to Pittsburg, Mr. Speer accepted a position as clerk in the banking
house of Mr. Hanna, who subsequently sent him to examine some gold mines in Idaho, whence he returned in 1867. In 1870 he was made cashier in the Freehold Bank,
with which he has since been connected, having since 1893 been president of the institution.
On the first day of October, 1872, Mr. Speer was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna Blair, a daughter of General William Robinson, who was the first white child born west
of the Allegheny River, and is now a man of prominence in this county. In politics Mr. Speer is a straightforward Republican, sustaining the principles of that party at
the polls. He is a member of Duquesne Post, No. 259, G. A. R.; and of the Loyal Legion. Mrs. Speer is a member of the Episcopal church, and he of the Presbyterian.
They are much interested in the religious advancement of the community, and work in harmony for the common good, although belonging to different organizations.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous, Submitted by C. Anthony.
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