George W. Speelman, a representative of the industrial interests of Covington, was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, September 10, 1842. His father, John Speelman, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1812 and was of German lineage. In 1837 he removed to Indiana with his wife and family, making the journey by wagon. In 1851 he became a resident of Miami county, Ohio, here spending his remaining days, his death occurring near Piqua, about 1889. Mrs. Speelman bore the maiden name of Margaret Morgan and was born in Westmoreland county, in 1811, her parents being John and Margaret Morgan. Her paternal grandfather was a native of the north of Ireland and became the founder of the family in America. Mrs. Speelman, surviving her husband several years, died April 9, 1896.

In the town of his nativity George W. Speelman spent the first seven years of his life and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Versailles, Darke county, Ohio, where they remained two years, and in 1851 came to Washington township, Miami county. He was first employed as a farm hand, entering upon his business career in that capacity, after acquiring a good education in the public schools and in the Kerr school in Troy. After the inauguration of hostilities between the north and the south he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting for three years, on the 7th of July, 1861, as a member of Company I, First Ohio Cavalry, under the command of Captain S. C. Rieter and Colonel O. P. Ransom. The first engagement in which he participated was on the 30th of May, 1862, and it is what is known in history as the evacuation of Corinth. Later he took part in the battles of Blackland, Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Goldsboro, Nashville, the Wilson raid and Jonesboro. He was also in many skirmishes, and although wounded many times he spent only four days in the hospital. He was wounded in the right foot near Corinth, his right thigh was pierced by a musket ball at Decatur, Alabama, and he received two other bullet wounds in almost the same place on the same day. Mr. Speelman was taken prisoner there and was incarcerated in different prisons in Mississippi, after which he was sent to Mobile, Alabama, and later to Vicksburg, where he was exchanged. Rejoining his regiment in October, 1863, he veteranized with his command on the 4th of January, 1864, at Pulaski, Tennessee, and was given the rank and pay of sergeant. When the war was over he received an honorable discharge at Columbus, November 27, 1865, and with a most creditable military record returned to his home at Piqua.

There Mr. Speelman engaged in carpentering for four years, after which he removed to Covington and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has since followed. He conducts one of the leading shops in the city and enjoys a liberal patronage, which is accorded him by reason of his capable workmanship and his honesty in all business transactions.

Mr. Speelman was married in Piqua, on the 18th of February, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Kiger, of that city, who died April 9, 1899, leaving two children: Altitia, wife of John Rike, and William A., of Chicago. Mr. Speelman is a valued member of Langston Post, G. A. R., and served for one term as vice commander. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of the subordinate lodge and the encampment. His life has been quietly and unostentatiously passed, but his career has ever been characterized by fidelity to duty, whether on the fields of battle or in the peaceful pursuits of civil life.