Who Was Who II of Hanover, IL - Grant Home

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1921. He graduated from Monmouth College in 1926 and received his master’s degree
from Washington University, St. Louis in 1948. He married Frances French on August
3, 1927 and two children were born to this union: Gordon Speer and Roberta (Speer)
Parkinson. Harland began teaching mathematics in Marissa High School in 1926 and
later was a teacher and assistant principal at Hanley Junior High School in University
City, Missouri until his retirement in 1969. Harland’s wife Frances died October 22,
1986. Harland was living in Chesterfield, Missouri when he died July 23, 1997. He is
buried in Goldfield, Iowa.
Speer, Harold “Hal” Joseph was born December 17, 1907 in Hanover and was the son
of James Arthur and Florence Ann (Nesbitt) Speer. He graduated from Hanover High
School in 1926, attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Boulder College in
Colorado. He married Velma Elaine Groth on June 7, 1931 in Rocky Ford, Colorado
and two known children were born to this union: Barbara Velaine Speer and James
Joseph Speer. Hal was a CPA for many years. Hal died February 1, 1975 in Bishop,
California.
Speer, Henry Elmer was born in about 1886 rural Hanover and was the son of Charles
and Nancy A. (Campbell) Speer. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1904. In
1930 he was a lawyer in Chicago, Illinois.
Speer, James Nelson was born September 21, 1911 in Hanover and was the son of
Charles William and Fannie Flint (Edgerton) Speer. He graduated from Hanover High
School in 1929 and later from the University of Illinois. He married Margaret Buford
on May 30, 1936 in Elizabeth and three children were born to this union: James Richard
Speer, Barbara Jean (Speer) Orolin, and Susan (Speer) Hunt. Following college he
worked for GMAS and then owned and operated Speer Hardware Store in Princeton,
Illinois for many years. He was employed as a bank examiner for the State of Illinois
until he retired. James retired to Eustis, Florida and later to Brevard, North Carolina.
James died August 8, 2003 in Brevard and is buried in Log Church Cemetery.
Speer, Lawrence M. was born December 29, 1902 in Hanover and was the son of
James Arthur and Florence (Nesbitt) Speer. He graduated from Hanover High School
in 1920. Lawrence married Emily Smith in 1924, later marrying Georgia Hunter, then
on November 5, 1938 he married Elberta Yeakle. Lawrence had three known children:
Rosamond (Speer) McCulloh, Harold “Hal” Arthur Speer, and Carol Yeakle (Speer)
Lubin. Lawrence died November 28, 1956.
Speer, Leland “Ike” Barr was born February 24, 1926 in Hanover and was the son of
James Arthur and Florence Ann (Nesbitt) Speer. He graduated from Hanover High
School in 1945. Ike married Eva Clodfelter on December 23, 1951 and three children
were born to this union: Donald Speer, Cheryl Lynn (Speer) Allman, and Michael
Speer. Ike later married Lori B. Speer. The family lived in California for many years
where Ike was a land developer. He was project manager at Desert Horizons and also
worked at Ironwood Country Club and Desert Falls Country Club. Ike was living in
Rancho Mirage, California when he died on March 28, 1993. He is buried in Log
Church Cemetery.
Speer, Marshall “Tom” Nesbitt was born May 16, 1917 in Hanover and was the son of
James Arthur and Florence Ann (Nesbitt) Speer. Marshall graduated from Hanover
High School in 1935. He married Pauline Louise Stromert on December 11, 1943 and
one son was born to this union: Terry Paul Speer. Before Marshall retired, Riverview