February 12th

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday ~ along with these relatives . . .

1799 Joel Johnson in PA son of Caspar & Deborah (Adamson) Johnson.  He died in 1876 in OH.

1809 John Grove Speer in Morganton, NC, son of John & Mary Barbary (Grove) Speer, died 1909 Alton, KY.  He was a doctor and wrote the Speer Family History.  The following article was published in honor of his 100^th birthday:

The nation is celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln. Kentucky rejoices in the unique distinction of possessing a living centenarian who was born on the same day that Lincoln was born.  To Kentucky was born Abraham Lincoln and to North Carolina, Morgantown, February 12, 1809, John Grove Speer.

At the age of two years Dr. Speer's parents located at a settlement in Kentucky.  Here and in near localities including Lexington, his childhood and early manhood years were spent in the acquisition of education and practice of medicine.  The obligations of a benedict were assumed in 1830 and in the succeeding year he moved to Illinois, where was formed a friendship between the two young men, Lincoln and Speer, who were so strenuously struggling for success.

After some years of various changes and successes Dr. Speer returned to Floydsburg, where contracting the epidemic, "gold fever," he, with friends, departed for the western El Dorado.

The greater part of the centenarian's life has been lived in Floydsburg and Brownsboro, Oldham county, Ky.  Of late years his permanent home has been with his son, Dr. J.W. Speer, Alton, Ky., where will be celebrated his centenary anniversary.

Influenced by his family this marvel of longevity has declined all urgent invitations to attend the ceremonies at Lincoln Farm, February 12, but hopes to be of those assembled there in May.

Read John Grove Speer's autobiography online.

1900 Julius Miller in Beaver City, NE, son of William & Ida (Upson) Miller.  He married Mayme Jennings.  

1906 Beulah Erkman in White Co. IL, daughter of Martin & Mary (Schewberger) Erkman.  She died in 1993 and is buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Carmi, IL.

1922 John Barr in Colorado Springs, CO, son of John & Ruby (Gurley) Barr while they were homesteading there.  Jackie was an only child raised mostly by his paternal grandmother in Sims after his parents’ divorce.  He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps toward the end of the depression.  Jackie was stationed at Kettle Falls, WA.  Over Labor Day weekend 1939 Jackie and three friends went boating and capsized the boat.  Jackie started for shore, but for whatever reason tried to get back to the boat.  Before the life guard could get to him, he went under and drowned.  He was 17 years old.  He is buried in Hopewell Cemetery in Wayne Co. IL.

Amanda Trotter daughter of Roger & Rita (Keen) Trotter

No anniversaries . . .