Joel Spyker

As printed in 1906

MOEL SPYKER, one of the substantial N @ and prominent citizens of Perry township, president of the Consumers’ Fuel, Building & Supply Company, a large oil operator and producer for a number of years, has recently taken possession of his fine farm of 240 acres in section 9, Perry township. Mr. Spyker was born in Shawnee township, Allen County, Ohio, March 29, 1865, and is a son of the late Samuel Spyker, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

Joel Spyker attended the schools of Shawnee township, passed two years in academic study at Cridersville, and later went to Ottawa, where he was graduated in 1887. He then returned to the old homestead farm in Shawnee township, but soon interested himself in the oil industry and became a large operator. ‘and producer in the Ohio and Indiana oil fields. For a considerable period he was the most extensive operator of this section.” Mr. Spyker is gradually reducing his interests in this line, disposing of his oil properties in order to give more attention to his productive farm in section 9, Perry township. He is still associated with the German-American and the Niagara oil companies and is the president and a stockholder of the Consumers’ Fuel, Building & Supply Company.

In point of location, fertility and improvements the farm owned by Mr. Spyker. is among the finest in the county. In connection with other interests he operates a dairy for which he keeps a herd of choice Jersey cows. Amid beautiful surroundings, his stately brick residence has-been constructed according to the most modern architectural designs, and is the type of an ideal rural home, in which is combined the advantages of the country and the conveniences of the city. The out-buildings are also modern and commodious. The great barn, especially is convenient, sanitary and even ornamental, and the lighting is entirely by electricity.

In 1887 Mr. Spyker was married to Mary Driscoll, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Dennis Driscoll, who died when Mrs. Spyker was but 18 months old. Mr. and Mrs. Spyker have a family of five children, viz: Lawrence K., Gertrude, Florence, Erma and Elenor. The family is identified with the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Spyker has always been a leader in movements conductive to the public welfare. He has served for four years as a member of the Lima Board of Education, and _ has evinced much interest in all movements tending to civic advancement. His fraternal connections include membership in Solar Lodge, No. 783, and Lima Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

As printed in History of Allen county, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.