SPECK FAMILY
by Ronda Godfrey
Entry F396 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society
Henry and Mary Frances (Speck) Hofgard Daughter of
Cornelius and Jemima Speck.
Cornelius Speck was born in 1822 near
Salem, North Carolina to Noah and Anna
Speck. At this time, Salem was a vast, new
area being developed by a religious group
called, Moravians.
In 1841, Cornelius wed Jane Miers in
Stokes County, North Carolina. To this
union was born 6 children - George, Cynthia,
Delphia, Martha, Daniel and David.
About 1852, Cornelius and Jane moved
their family by covered wagon to Henderson
County, Illinois where other relatives lived.
It is not known what happened to Jane but
believed she passed away in Henderson
County, Illinois shortly after they got there.
In 1860, Cornelius was maimed in an
accident injuring his arm so badly that
amputation was necessary. He recovered
fully.
Cornelius sold his land holding in Illinois
and moved to Gosper County, Nebraska.
Here he purchased some farm land.
About 1875, Cornelius wed Jemima Ste-
phenson. She had been previously married
and had children, namely - William, Andrew,
Rebecca and Charles. Cornelius and Jemima
became parents of 4 children - Jessie, Mary
Frances, Fredrick and Alice.
In 1892, Cornelius died. It is unknown
where he died or is buried but his year of
death has been verified by court records.
Family members recall being told that Corne-
lius was drug to death by a horse.
About 1885, Jemima Speck wed David
Charles Speck, the son of Cornelius and his
first wife, Jane. Jemima sold the land hold-
ings in Gosper County in 1885 and shortly
after that she and David moved to Hooker
County. David was a well known well-driller
in Hooker County and had land holdings in
Mullen.
Although David and Jemima had no
children of their own, Alice (Speck) Rector's
children were very fond of David and called
him grandfather.
In July, 1913, Jemima went to Malone,
Washington to visit her son, Charles where
she suffered a stroke and passed away. She
is buried in Elma, Washington.
About 1919, Elmer and Mina Clemens
moved from a ranch 16 miles northwest of
Mullen to Mullen where they traded a 1917
Reo touring car to David Speck for 2 small
houses in Mullen.
On September 17, 1924, David Speck
passed away in Mullen. He is buried in
Cedarview Cemetery.