The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-12-22
HON. "a. naiston speer.

Among all the sketches of the recently
elected members of the Forty second Oon-
gress, as furnished by the Pittsburgh Poss,
We venture to say there is mono more iaitn-
fully drawn than The following pen picture
u the able and popular young member from
this district, Hon. K. Milton Speer:
The member elect of the Forty second Con-
gress from the Seventeenth Congressional Dis
trict, Hon. R. Milton Speer, was born IN the
village of Caas7ils, Huntingdon county, Pa.'
on the 9;h day of September. 1898.
His parents were both natives of Ireland,
and enierated TO this country from near BEL
fast. They both died some eighteen years ago
his mother in the fall of 1851 and his father
in the fall Of 1852.
bfr Speer, who is young man, Is OF very
handsome and attractive personal appearance.
He is tall ard well built, with handsome tea
lures and clear, light complexion, Indicative
of his Irish blood. His hair, beard and eyes
are Of dark brown, the latter full and prom
inent, and bespeak more than ordinary de-
gree of intelligence. de Is fluent ana pleas
ant speak er. frequently bursting into the most
fcrvent elouuence. In manners be - uToane,
engaging. and agreeable.
Upon the death of bis father be entered the
Seminary OF Cassville and remained there IN
I'll the fail of 1856. During the winter of
1856 81 ne taught school in Cassviiie, and IN
Nav 1857 went to Huntingdon and entered as
q student Tie law Office of " isOn PetTikeu,
and was admitted to the practice OF the law in
November 1859. Prior TO being admitted 70
the Bar he taught school eight months il the
mountain districts of Blair county.
In April, 1860, he entered upon the p-aciice
of the law, opening Office IN Huntingdon.
where he has siLce remained, building up
large and remunerative practice. He IL a.
present the senior member Of the law firm OF
Speer McMurtrie.
He has never held any civil or military Office
other than the position of Assistant Clerk in
the House of Representatives at harrisburg,
during the session of 1863. He WAS private
soldier in the Pennsylvania militiS during the
Cbambersburg campaign.
He was married in April, 1864, TO daugh
ter of Wm z McMurtrie, Esq. and he and
his lady are blessed with three bright and in-
telligent children-tWo boys AID girl.
Mr. Speer Is pleasantly situated in Hurting
don, with large and growing law practice,
and is surrounded with every hing TO make
him contented with his lot. He decidedly
opposed to entering the political arena, espe
ciaIly as al aspirant for Congressional honors.
but finally yIet ed TO tue ardeul solicitation of
his friends and became = candidate at tho late
elections, against Mr. Morrell, OF Bessemer"
steel notore:y, and whose defeat was not to
be held among the possibilities, much less the
probabilities, at the ouenlDg OF the campaign.
MIR. Speer possesses great personal pepulari-
tY as shown by the vote of the borough OF
huntingdon. III 1COO III AOIIeli HHO SlAll
two minority. At the last October election
Mr. Speer's majority was two hundred and ten
"a change of three hundred and seven teen,
notwithstanding forty live negro votes were
cast solid against him. This marked popular
ity extended throughout tho District.
The majority OF Mr. Speer was eleven votes
the smallest majority OF any candidate elected
in the State-but it vas majority over one Of
the most influential Congressmen in the pr. sent
House, and one who was backed by the most
powerful influences. Two years ago last Oc-
tober Mr. Morrell was elected over Mr.. ohm
P. Linton, the Democratic candidate, by ma
jgrity of U94, and his friends could hardly
cccGi. their senses when IL WAS announced that
he was defeated, after hard fought contest,
by the rising young Democrat who will do SO
much honor TO the Pennsylvania delegation in
The next House.
Mr.. Speer has also welded the editorial quill
having been the editor of The Huntingdon
UNIeS, the then Democratic organ of Hunting
don county, from August, 1883, to January,
1861. He commands the confidence and re-
spect of men of both parties and the public
generally. The Seventeenth District will be
nonored in Congress by his presence, and his
constituents viii find him an energetic adYo-
cate OF their interests.