J. G. Speer Explained

James Gamble Speer (June 23, 1820 - October 31, 1893) was a judge and state legislator in Florida.^[1] He was a founder of Oakland, Florida.^[2] He served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He was also a delegate to Florida's 1885 Constutional Convention. He was a Democrat.^[3]

In 1879 he represented Orange County, Florida in the Florida Senate. His post office was in Oakland, Florida.^[4]

He was born in Abbeville, South Carolina^[5] and came to Florida as a member of the Indian Removal Commission of 1854.^[6]

He advocated for a canal between Lake Apopka and Lake Dora.^[7]

Speer Park and Speer Avenue in Oakland are named for him.^{[6] [8]}

Notes and References

1. News: 1893-11-03 . Death of a Prominent Floridian . 4 . The Pensacola News . 2023-11-08.
2. Book: My Darlings: A Memoir . 9780761870845 . Mather-Smith . Grace . 24 October 2018 . Rowman & Littlefield .
3. https://www.floridamemory.com/fmp/territorial-legislative/PeopleOfLawmaking.pdf
4. Book: General Acts and Resolutions Adopted by the Legislature of Florida . 1879 . Office of the Floridian and Journal .
5. Web site: History of Florida: Past and Present, Historical and Biographical . Cutler . Harry Gardner . 1923 .
6. Web site: The history behind Oakland's streets . 6 February 2019 .
7. Web site: Orange County Sheriff's Office Orlando, Florida. November 8, 1994. Turner Publishing Company. Google Books.
8. Web site: SPEER DESCENDANTS SHARE STORY ON NAMING OF ORLANDO. April 5, 1998.