John C. Speaks

John Charles Speaks (February 11, 1859 – November 6, 1945) was a businessman, soldier, and U.S. Representative from Ohio.

John Charles Speaks
in 1913, as Chief Game Warden of Ohio
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th district
In office March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1931
Preceded by	Clement L. Brumbaugh
Succeeded by	Arthur P. Lamneck
Personal details
Born	February 11, 1859 Canal Winchester, Ohio
Died	November 6, 1945 (aged 86) Columbus, Ohio
Resting place	Union Grove Cemetery, Canal Winchester
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Edna Lawyer
Children	four

Early life and education

He was born in Canal Winchester, Ohio on February 11, 1859.[1] He attended the public schools.

Civilian career

He engaged in milling and the lumber business. He served as the fish, game, and conservation officer of Ohio 1907-1918.[1]

Speaks was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-seventh and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1931). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1930 to the Seventy-second Congress, and for election in 1932 to the Seventy-third Congress, and in 1934 to the Seventy-fourth Congress.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1918 to the Sixty-sixth Congress.

Military career

He served as member of the Ohio National Guard for more than forty years, advancing from private to brigadier general. During the Spanish–American War served as major of the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in the Puerto Rican Campaign.[1]

He commanded the Second Brigade of the Ohio National Guard on the Mexican Border in 1916. During the First World War, he commanded the Seventy-third Brigade of the Thirty-seventh Division.[1] He was a lifelong rival of World War I aviator Dr. David Brumbaugh.

Personal life

He married Edna Lawyer of Canal Winchester in 1889, and they had four children.[2][1]

Death and legacy

He died in Columbus, Ohio, November 6, 1945. He was interred in Union Grove Cemetery, Canal Winchester, Ohio.[1]

References

1. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 344. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
2. Mercer, James K. (1913). Ohio Legislative History: 1909-1913. Columbus: Edward T Miller. p. 206.

• United States Congress. "John C. Speaks (id: S000707)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-02-22

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.