Andrew A. Spier, 64 years of age, furniture dealer and undertaker, of Lonaconing, died at Allegany Hospital, Cumberland, last midnight following an illness of several months. He had been at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. Mr. Spier is survived by his widow who was Miss Rhoda Barnard, Lonaconing, and one son, Barnard, assistant athletic coach at Western Maryland College, Westminister, Md. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Connor, Lonaconing, and Mrs. Frank Winn, Cumberland, and three brothers, Alexander, of Lonaconing; Hugh, Frostburg, and Thomas Spier, Newark, N. J. The funeral will likely be on Sunday. Mr. Spier was for several years connected with the Hardegan brothers in the coal business at Lonaconing and at Barton and also had conducted coal operations at those places himself at one time. He had been in the furniture and undertaking business on Main street for many years. Mr. Spier was a candidate for mayor of Lonaconing at the April election. About ten years ago, Mr. Spier was county tax collector for the George's Creek district. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The Cumberland Evening Times, July 17, 1925
Excerpts from History of Allegany County by Williams and Thomas
(1923)
ANDREW SPEIR is one of the most prosperous business men at Lonaconing, Allegany county, where he has been engaged in
the furniture trade and undertaking for over thirty years. In 1914 he erected the block in which he is now established, and
which in its substantial construction, convenient arrangement and ample accommodations is quite typical of the manner in
wmcn all of his affairs are ordered. For capability, integrityand reliability Mr. Speir ranks with the most honorable business men in his community, and stands deservedly high in the good opinion of all his townsmen.
Mr. Speir was born in April 30, 1859, in Newburg, West Virginia, son of Hugh and Jean (Caldwell) Speir, who were from Kilmarnock, Scotland, and came to this country about 1852. After living for some years in Virginia they settled in Allegany county, Maryland, during the sixties, and the father was engaged as a miner in the George's Creek region for many years, living at Lonaconing. He died at the age of seventy-three years, a Presbyterian in religion and a Republican in politics. His wife was seventy-six at the time of her decease. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Allen, who was killed by falling rock in the Carlos Mines at Midlothian, this county; Andrew; Jean, deceased; Hugh, a butcher, living in Frostburg, Allegany county; Elizabeth, deceased; Minnie, widow of Aaron Connor, of Lonaconing; Jane, deceased; Annie deceased; Thomas, of Newark, N. J.; Clara, wife of Frank Winn ; and Alexander, a miner, living at Lonaconing; and Jane died in infancy. Andrew Speir was seven years old when his parents brought their family to Lonaconing, where he has since resided. He had such educational advantages as the public schools afforded during his early years, beginning work at the age of twelve at the mines, and continuing such employment in the George's Creek coal region during the next fifteen years. At the end of that period he turned to commercial interests, in which he gained his first experience as clerk for J. J. Bell & Brothers, general merchants at Lonaconing, with whom he remained about six years. In 1880 he decided to make a venture on his own account, and started the furniture and undertaking business, which he has ever since carried on, with steadily increasing success, being now one of the foremost men in his line in this region.
Mr. Speir is a Republican in his political views, and for thirty years and more has been one of the most active workers in the party in his locality. Though never aspiring for office for himself, he was chosen tax collector for the Lonaconing district for two years, 1912-1913, and filled the position with complete satisfaction to all concerned, handling its responsibilities with the conscientious care that he gives to all his duties, of whatever nature. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and fraternally belongs to Rising Sun Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythias, as well as the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In October, 1899, Mr. Speir was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda E. Barnette, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Barnette, of Lonaconing, both her parents being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Speir have one child, Hugh Barnette Speir, who is now teaching in the prep school at the Western Maryland College Westminster, Maryland.
Andrew SPEIRVSPIER and Rhoda BARNETT were married on 8 Oct 1899 in Lonaconing, Allegany Co., Maryland. Rhoda BARNETT (daughter of Thomas BARNETT and Elizabeth) was born in 1865 in England. She died on 30 Jun 1926 in Cumberland, Allegany Co., Maryland. Funeral services for Mrs. Rhoda Spier, widow of Andrew Spier, Lonaconing, who died at the Allegany Hospital last night, will be held Saturday afternoon from the home of her sister, Mrs. William P. Rizer, 441 North Centre street. The Rev. L. B. Browne, pastor of St. John's Episcopal Church, Frostburg, who also fills the pulpit of St. Peter's, Lonaconing, will officiate. Burial will be at Lonaconing. Mrs. Spier was the daughter of Thomas Barnett who is 83 years old and lives in Cumberland. Three sisters, Mrs. Evan Evans, Braddock, Pa., Mrs. Robert Ridley, Millwood, Pa., Mrs. Rizer; a brother, Harry Hadley Barnett of Lonaconing; a son, Barnett Spier, of the faculty of the Western Maryland College, and one grandson, Hugh Barnett Spier, survive. The Cumberland Evening Times, July 1,1926 She was buried on 3 Jul 1926 in Lonaconing, Allegany Co., Maryland. Andrew SPEIR\SPIER and Rhoda BARNETT had the following children:

Change: 8 Feb 2010