Francis M. Spear
Francis M. Spear, of Manchester, was born August 21, 1843, on Eagle Creek, in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio. When one year of age, his parents, Spencer Spear and Harriet Coburn, moved to Huntington Township in that county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He was for years engaged in the white burley leaf tobacco trade and was one of the most prominent dealers in the Ohio white burley district. In 1893, he removed to Manchester, where he purchases and handles white burley leaf. Since residing there he has been elected Trustee of Manchester Township and Mayor of the town of Manchester. While serving as Mayor, he instituted and maintained a rigid warfare against the evil doers of that town with the result of a decided change in favor of morality and good order. Some of his decisions and rulings caused much comment at the time but he was sustained in the higher courts.
In politics, Mr. Spear is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, in 1864. He served in the 26th O. V. C, and took part in the pursuit and capture of the famous raider, General John Morgan, in his invasion of the North in 1863, an account of which is in this volume. While not a member of any church, Mr. Spear leans toward the Disciples organization, and is a firm supporter of the principles of morality and temperance.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900