Philip Speasmaker
Philip Speasmaker, London, a well-known and popular hardware merchant of London, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 1, 1837. He is a son of Cassimere and Catherine Does Speasmaker, both natives of Germany. Our subject was reared in his native land, and there educated. At the age of fifteen years he came to America, and apprenticed himself to learn the tinner's trade, at Brooklyn, N. Y. He remained there three years, and then came direct to London, this county. He was employed at his trade by John Dungan for one and a half years, and then worked for C. D. Rayburn for a short time. He then purchased the stock and trade (stove and tinware business) of his employer, and has since been engaged in this business. This was in 1857, and it will therefore be seen that Mr. Speasmaker is the oldest merchant in his line of trade in London, and he certainly enjoys the largest trade. He deals in all kinds of agricultural implements, hardware and manufactured tinware, and as a business man is highly respected for his business qualifications and strict integrity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge, Chapter and Council, of London, Palestine Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, of Springfield, Ohio, and also of the I. O. O. F. He is Democratic in political views; is a member of the Board of Education of London, but no active politician. He was married, November 28, 1857, to Caroline Dies, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. They have ten children, all living.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]