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.
From the guide to the J. B. Speer Papers, 1891-1957, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)
