Individual Details

Married Margaret Power, 10 May 1836, Westmoreland, PA.

1850 Census. Peoria Co, IL, Hh 1056
Jacob Spears, age 35, b. PA
Margaret, 34
James L. 13. John F. 11, H. L. age 9, male, Nancy 7
Clarra 3. Wm. G. 1 - these two children born in Illinois
James Fitzpatric, 23, laborer, b. Ireland
Frank Childs, 20, school teacher, b. Connecticut

JACOB SPEERS owns and occupies a fine farm of 160 acres in Blue Mound Township, on section 24. His land is all improved and under a good state of cultivation, with a tasteful and convenient residence and all necessary out-buildings for the shelter of stock and storage of grain. Mr. Speers has been a resident of McLean County since 1865, and of Blue Mound Township since 1870. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 15, 1814, and is the son of Noah and Nancy (Frye) Speers, also natives of the Keystone State, where they passed their entire lives. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom, with one exception, grew to mature years. That one was killed when quite young, by being thrown from a horse.
Jacob Speers remained in his native county until 1846. He then came to this State, locating first in Peoria County with his wife and six children. After a residence there of eight years they removed to Stark County, in which they remained eight years, then returned to Peoria County again and resided there until the spring of 1865. Mr. Speers then came into this county and lived in Chenoa Township until the spring of 1868. Thence he removed to Towanda Township and after about one and one-half years, crossed the Mississippi and became a resident of Kansas, in which State he remained until 1870. He then returned to this county and settled in Blue Mound Township, where he has since lived. He has identified himself fully with the interests of the county and community since coming here and is reckoned among the thrifty and well-to-do farmer residents of this section.
The marriage of our subject took place in his native county of Westmoreland, Pa., May 10, 1836, the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret, daughter of John F. and Mary (Sterrett) Power, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives and where their remains were laid to rest. Of their ten children, Mrs. Speers was the sixth. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., March 4, 1820. Of her union with our subject there were thirteen children, ten now living, namely, James S., John F., Noah L., Nancy J., Clarissa, William L., Harriett A., Charles, Solomon E. and Maggie S. The three deceased died when quite young. John married Miss Eleanor Halstead and resides in Ford County, Ill.; Noah married Miss Maggie Ellis and also lives in Ford County; Nancy is the wife of John Watt of Chenoa; Clarissa married M. J. Wilson and is a resident of Scott County, Kan.; William married Miss Laura Power and resides in Blue Mound Township; Harriett became the wife of F. L. Voorhees, and they are located at St. Jose, Cal.;. Charles married Miss Ollie Newton and is farming in Blue Mound Township; Solomon married Miss Irene Gay and is a resident of Blue Mound Township; Maggie became the wife of J. B. Nichols of Nebraska; James married Miss Mary Davis; she died in Blue Mound Township, April 28, 1875.
Mr. Speers is Republican in politics and has held some of the minor offices of his township, including that of Assessor, in which he has served several years. He also served as Supervisor in Stark County, and was twice elected Justice of the Peace but would not serve. Both our subject and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, and held in high esteem by all who know them.
Portrait and biographical album of McLean County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), 561. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.

Birth

15 Dec 1814

Father	Noah Speers (1769 - 1832)
Mother	Nancy Virginia Frye (1774 - 1845)
Sibling	Abraham Speers (1790 - 1832)
Sibling	Solomon Speers (1792 - 1860)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Cassandra Speers (1796 - )
Sibling	Nancy Speers (1800 - )
Sibling	Rebecca Speers (1802 - 1882)
Sibling	Lucinda Speers (1805 - )
Sibling	Florinda Speers ( - )
Sibling	Louisa Speers (1808 - )
Sibling	Lewis Marchand Speers (1810 - 1883)
Sibling	James Speers (1812 - 1832)
Sibling	Noah W. Speers (1818 - )
Sibling	Clarissa Speers (1818 - )