J. R. Speck

As printed in 1909

J. R. SPECK.

Few men are so favored by fortune that a successful business awaits their entrance into the world of activity. The vast majority must labor for the advantages which they enjoy and must give proof of their merit through earnest and intelligently directed labor. Such has been the case of J. R. Speck, who is now the secretary and treasurer of the Eureka Laundry Company and also of the Domestic Manufacturing Company. He was born in Betlehem township, Coshocton county, July 12, 1874, his parents being John C. and Rosanne (Bowers) Speck, who were natives of Jefferson township, this county. Joseph Speck, the paternal grandfather, and the maternal grandparents of our subject came to Coshocton county from Germany of which land they were natives. John C. Speck was reared to farm life and has spent his active years in agricultural pursuits. For a long period he tilled the soil and at length when his labors had brought him sufficient capital to permit his retirement he put aside farm business cares and is now living retired on his farm in Bethlehem township. He is prominent in democratic circles and has been honored with various local offices, serving for a number of years as township trustee and township treasurer, being the incumbent in the latter office at the present time. He was twice candidate for county sheriff on the democratic ticket but was defeated. In his business life he was progressive and enterprising and brought the first steam threshing machine into Coshocton county. The farmers were afraid it would bum up their crops and buildings and he had to educate them to its use. For a long period he engaged in threshing and was also identified with the sawmill and planing-mill business. For a number of years he conducted the planing-mill in Warsaw, giving his attention largely to his industrial intercepts.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On the 17th of June, 1905, Mr. Speck was married to Miss Grace Croy, of Trinway, and unto them was born one son, Jame Riley. Mr. Speck belongs to Coshocton Lodge, No. 376, B. P. 0. E. and to Fidelity Lodge, No. 135, K. P. He is in hearty sympathy with the principles of these orders and is enthusiastic in their support. A self-made man he started out on his own account without capital but knew that business advancement might be secured through close application and faithfulness. These qualities have ever remained salient factors in his life record and have brought him a volume of business which makes him one of the substantial residents of this city.

As printed in Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio; (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.