| Existing comment:
In 1899, the estate came under one owner again. Charles Speer bought the property interests from his wife's remaining sibling for $15,000 and now held sole title to Friendship Hill. Born in 1837, Speer was a native of western Pennsylvania. He would eventually become president of First National Bank and would hold that position for fifteen years. In addition to his work at the bank, Speer was director of several railroads as well as the Union Gas Corporation. He married Sarah Dawson in 1861 and the couple had five children. Speed died in 1905 at the age of 68. After Charles' death, Sarah purchased more land to increase the acreage of Friendship Hill to total 770. |