Speer, J. B. (James Beryl), 1883-1957

James Beryl Speer was born in Branch County Michigan, in 1883. After finishing high school, he attended a private business college until 1905. That year he moved to Montana to attend Montana State University now known as The University of Montana-Missoula and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1908. While Speer was a student he worked as an assistant to multiple university presidents. University President Oscar J. Craig’s last official act as president was to write a recommendation for Speer. In 1909, he was appointed Acting Registrar and then served as Registrar from 1910-1912. He then left Montana to continue his education.

Speer attended Stanford University Law School from 1912-1913. He transferred to University of Michigan Law School in 1914 and received his LL.B. in 1916. Speer returned to The University of Montana-Missoula in 1918 to again serve as Registrar. In 1920, he was named Business Manager and in 1945, he was named Controller. Speer was also a professor in the School of Business Administration between 1927 and 1940. He served as controller until his retirement in 1953. Speer died in 1957.

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