Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-03-27

store, and later went with the wholesale
house Of Palmer, Gage Co. ON Pearl
street.
While with them, he entered upon his
first business venture and became partner
with Hon. John B. Bacon in a store here.
The firm was known as Bacon a speare.
The partnership lasted less than one year,
as Mr. Speare had become interested in the
oil business and wished to devote all his
capital and energy to making il success.
Accordingly, Mr.. Bacon bought out his
interest in the store and his business rela-
tions with the town were severed Tor
broader and more lucrative fields. But
that he had always maintained a warm
place in his heart for his native town has
been fully demonstrated by his magniti-
cent gift in 1894 of the Alden Speare pub
lie library building. which cost 5000.
The subject Of this sketch received his
carly education in the common schools OF
C0finth and prepared for college at the
Newhury seminary In NewburY, which ne
entered with the idea OF becoming a phy-
sician. His father died in March, 1874,
and in October following he went to Bos-
ton. where he obtained employment as
clerk in a retail dry goods store, where he
remained until August, 1851, i'm which
year he organized the firm Of Spear, Burke
Il Co, to carry on the oil and starch busi-
ness. In 1853 the Office was removed 70
No. 3 Central Wharf, where the business
was carried on under the name OF Alden
Speare & Co. for over 40 years, now at S69
Atlantic avenue, Mr.. Speare being special
partner
Mr.. Speare has been prominent in public
affairs. having held many positions Of
trust and honor. In 1860 he was elected a
member OF the school committee OF Bos-
ton and he held the position until 1866,
when he removed to Newton, Mass. The
following fall he was elected to the New
ton school board and he served on that
board until 1875, when he was elected
mayor of that city. He was three times
nominated for mayor, declining twice,
and upon his acceptance he was elected
without an opposing vote, there having
been no other candidate. lie served ac-
ceptably to the people and he was re-elect-
ed for a second term.
Mr.. Speare has been a member OF the
Boston Chamber Of Commerce since its
organization, and for four years up TO lhsl
he was president OF that organization ~
was largely through his efforts that the
present magnificent building Of that body
was erected, and ii was he who secured
from President Whitney OF the West End
railroad the land for he site. He took an
active interest in the construction OF the
building and he laid the corner stone. He
was president Of the Boston Associated
Board Of Trade in lS95-s6; he has been a
vice president of the National Board OF
Trade since 1892 and a vice president OF
the Merchants association OF Boston since
1895.
lie WAS one OF the incorpOrntors o. the
BOSTON Penny Savings bank, and he has
been one Of the vice presidents as well as
one OF the trustees Of that institution.
For nearly twenty years he was one OF the
directors OF the Everett National bank.
4 "a 81 fa a hfEnm- To-
peka and Santa Re railroad and OF the -.
Louis and san Francisco, the Atlantic and
Pacific for many years, and was director
Of the Mexican Central and the Connecti-
cut and passumpsic railroad companies.
He was largely interested in several New
England manufacturing corporations and
was a vice president OF the Arkansas val
lev Town and Land company.
Mr.. Speare has been president OF the
Vermont Association Of Boston since lss5.
He was an enthusiastic Nermonter and he
has contributed very largely TO the success
Of the Association of the Sons and Daugh-
ters of the Green Mountain state IN the
metropolis of his adopted state. he has
taken an active part in the social LIE 81
his community, being q member also oi
the Exchange club. Of the Boston Art
club and Of the Old Bostonians society, az
well as OF other social organizations. In
politics he was q Republican.
MIR. Speare has been identified with the
Methodist Episcopal church, and for
years he has been an active member OF the
board Of managers Of the Foreign and
Home Missionary society Of that church.
For many years he was member OF the
Boston Wesleyan association, and IN $50,
1852, 1885 and iSss he was president OF that
association. While living IN Boston he
was one Of the original members and for
several wears a director Of the Young
Mems Christian association and in isol he
was president of that organization. since
1872 he has been a member of the board oi
trustees Of Boston university, and ne has
held the position Of vice president OF thal
institution for many years.
Mr.. Speare was united in marriage with
Miss Caroline NJ. Robinson March /, lsia
and these children were born Of their un-
ion-Jane. Herbert Alden, Emma g, klla
NJ, Lewis r.. Minnie q. and +. kas
Speare.