The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-08-27
WM.H. SpEER DEAD
Noted Citizen and Extensive
Property Owner on the
Heights Dies in
New York.
STORY OF HIS CAREER
Oldest Undertaken in Jersey
City and a Member OF One
of the .sOld Families. ]"

William H. Speer, the oldest undeg<
taker of this city, died yesterday afterT
noon in the private sanitarium of Dr..
Green, on Fifty-eighth street, New York.
Death was due to chronic stomach trour
BILE from which Mr.. Speer has been suf-
fering for several years. His condition
during the past year was anything but
favorable He was treated BY several
of the best doctors in this city and fail
ing to be benefited sought treatment from
specialists in New York. His condition
became such a-few months ago that he
decided to remain at DIR. Green's SAM
tarium 1t then became apparent THAT
the disease was 50 far advanced that
treatment was of no avail Mr.. Speer be
came weaker each day and finally passed
away yesterday afternoon at four
o'clock. Some of his relatives were with
him when he breathed his last.
HIS son AWAY.
Counselor William III. Speer,. Jr.. the
oldest child of the deceased, is now trav-
cling in Dayton, Ohio, with his wife.
Word was sent to him late last night.
He Immediately telegraphed back THAT
he would come home at once. 1t is ex-
pected that Mr.. Speer will return to-
night when arrangements for the funeral
will be made
The body was brought to the Spees
homestead, No. 8 Park street. last
night Undertaken William H. Hughes
Of the oldest established firm in the
city, has charge of the funeral.
MR.. SPEER'S CAREER. -
William Fl. Speer was born in this e}fy
on February 81, 1910. = His gs.:fslsl
parents were among theSearly settlers il
Old Bergen and lived in the vicinity d
Bergen Square for many years. The old
homestead adjoining No. Il School still
stands. Mr.. Speer's father helped to de
velop old Bergen and later when Mr.
Speer grew up he became member Of
the Common Council of Bergen. There is
no family in the county better known
than the Speers.
The family acquired considerable prop
erty years ago when lots sold for a song.
Time has increased their value and it is
said that Mr.. Speer's estate is worth
half a million dollars. He purchased and
sold numerous pieces of property on the
Heights and made money on the transac
ton. His estate at present includes
many valuable pieces of property.
THE UNDERTAKING BUSINESS.
In 1868 he established an undertaking
business in the vicinity of Bergen square
At the end of year he retired. broken
down in health. 1t is said that he buried
a thousand people during this year Of
business. He rested four years and then
re-entered business. He continued in bu-
siness up to the time of his death Be
cause of poor health during the past foul
years, Mr.. Henry NJ. Grifiths managed
the business with considerable success.
Mr.. Speer has been the official morgue
keeper Of Jersey City for about fourteen
years. The morgue has always been 10
Gated at Communipaw and Randolph
avenues. Mr.. Speer framed the law gov
erling the morgue regulations in Hudson
County. He also ownedN the cemetery
bearing his name at Bergen and Tuers
avenue. Mr.. Speer was a member of the
Jersey City and Carteret Clubs. He is
survived by a widow who is related tt
the Brinkerhoff family, and two sons
Lawyer William H Speer, Jr., prom
inent Republican politician, and Harolt
Speer, and two daughters, Mrs. Doremus
and Miss Cassie Speer.