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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley Counties 
of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago, 1895


        [954-955]
        
        GEORGE O. SPEAR, a citizen of whom any State might be proud,
      a man whose presence would benefit any community, and whose
      name would reflect honor upon any office or station, is one of
      the many loyal and industrious men New England has sent to the
      Western States.
        He was born in Sagadahoc county, Maine, in 1840, a son of
      THOMAS and AMANDA (PREBLE) SPEAR, also natives of Maine. The
      father, who was a shipbuilder by occupation, came in 1857 to
      Wisconsin, bringing his family, and locating in Fort Howard,
      Brown county, continued his trade there with much success. He
      built the "Permelia Flood," a fine full-rigged barque, which
      was sent to the Atlantic laden with oak staves. In 1860 he
      went to St. Louis, Mo., but in 1861 returned to Wisconsin, and
      for two years resided at Peshtigo, Marinette county, where he
      built lake vessels; thence proceeded to Red River, and there
      erected a sawmill, which in 1865 was destroyed by fire, entail-
      ing a heavy loss. From Red River he moved to Little Sturgeon,
      Door county, where he rebuilt the "F. B. Gardner" and the
      "Union." In 1866 he built the vessel now known as the "James
      G. Blaine," also the tug "John Spry," the schooners "Halsted,"
      "Ellen Spry," and "Doane," and in all these industries he was
      assisted by his son GEORGE O. In 1887 the father returned to
      Green Bay, and lived a retired life the remainder of his days,
      dying in 1891; his wife passed away in 1883, while residing
      at Sturgeon Bay. They were the parents of two children, GEORGE
      O., subject of sketch, and MARSHALL, in Maryland. Great-grand-
      father ROBERT SPEAR, who was an officer in the Revolutionary
      army, built the first house erected in Brunswick, Maine. 
      Grandfather THOMAS SPEAR passed his entire life in Maine, his
      native State.
        GEORGE O. SPEAR received his education at the public schools
      of the vicinity of his place of birth, and at the age of seven-
      teen came to Green Bay, Wis., where he assisted his father in
      the shipyard. He accompanied him to Missouri, Peshtigo, Red
      River and Little Sturgeon, and in all these places was closely
      identified with him in the various enterprises in which he was
      engaged. In 1879 our subject removed to Sturgeon Bay, where he
      purchased the McMaster property, consisting of a complete saw-
      mill plant, besides almost two thousand acres of land, and
      immediately went into the manufacture of lumber. He also oper-
      ated a line of tugs and several scows, known as the "Dummy
      Line," employed in carrying lumber to Chicago. This MR. SPEAR
      continued in until 1885, when he commenced the banking and
      brokerage business in Sturgeon Bay, which in 1891 he trans-
      ferred to Green Bay, where he now resides.
        In 1873 MR. SPEAR was married to MISS LOUISE GRAVES, who
      was born in Green Bay, of which place her parents, ORLO B.
      and LUCY LESSEY GRAVES, were early settlers. MR. GRAVES, who
      was an Indian trader, and for many years served as sheriff
      and district attorney, died in 1881, at Green Bay, where his
      widow is yet living. To MR. and MRS. SPEAR were born four
      children, only one of whom is now living, CLARA; the deceased
      are THOMAS, who died at the age of six months; CORDELIA, in
      early infancy, and FRANK, when two years old. MR. SPEAR is
      prominent in social orders; he is a member of Washington Lodge
      No. 21, F. & A. M.; Warren Chapter No. 8, and is a Knight
      Templar of Palestine Commandery No. 20; he is also a member
      of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment; of the Order of Rebekah,
      of the K. of P. and of the Elks. In politics he is a Repub-
      lican, but his wife is a Democrat.
      
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