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 byClement L. Brumbaugh
Succeeded byArthur P. Lamneck
Personal details
Born(1859-02-11)February 11, 1859
Canal Winchester, Ohio
DiedNovember 6, 1945(1945-11-06) (aged 86)
Columbus, Ohio
Resting placeUnion Grove Cemetery, Canal Winchester
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEdna Lawyer
Childrenfour

Early life and education

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

Civilian career

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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.[citation needed]

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

Military career

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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

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

Death and legacy

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

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (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.

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 12th congressional district

March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1931
Succeeded by