McDonough ILGenWeb

SPIKER, J. Fred, who is proprietor of a flourishing grocery and meat market in Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill., was born at La Harpe, Ill., in 1875, a son of James E. and Caroline (Collins) Spiker. His father, who was engaged in mercantile pursuits, was born at La Harpe, and his mother is a native of Good Hope, Ill. The early mental training of the subject of this sketch was received in the public schools of Roseville and Bushnell, in this State. After he reached the period of manhood, he applied himself to farming and followed that occupation until 1899. In that year he and his brother purchased the grocery and meat market of M. West, who had conducted the concern for several years. Mr. Spiker deals in all kinds of fancy and staple groceries, vegetables, fresh and salt meats, etc., and keeps an up-to-date store. He has not only retained the patronage enjoyed by his predecessor in the business, but by honest dealing, careful attention and agreeable manners, has succeeded in developing the trade into large proportions. Mr. Spiker was married October 18, 1904, to Grace H. Sample, an intelligent and estimable lady, who was born in Bushnell. He devotes his attention so closely to his business affairs that he finds little time for political activity. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.

---

Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 1008, extracted 30 Jul 2020 by Norma Hass.