Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Thursday 10 April 194172722

Mr. C. L. Spehr

Mr. Carl Louis Spehr, who died at
Mount Gambier on March 30, follow-
ing a brief illness, was one of the
town's leading citizens, and had been
closely identified with public affairs
for the greater part of his life. A
former mayor, he had an outstanding
record of municipal service, having
been in the council for more than
30 years. Mr. Spehr was born at O.B.
Flat on August 2, 1869, and was a son
of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Spehr,
early pioneers. He was educated at
the Mount Gammer High school
under the Rev. Hartley Williams, and
was himself a teacher at the school
for a time. After winning a Stow
Scholarship at the Adelaide Univer-
sity, Mr. Spehr was articled to the
legal firm of Muirhead & Muirhead.
He graduated in 1895, and took up
practice at Mount Gambier. In 1917
he was joined by Mr. C. N. Macken-
zie in partnership, until the latter left
for Melbourne 11 years later. Mr.
Spehr then entered into partnership
with Mr. D. A. Roberts, a former
judge of the Supreme Court in Dar-
win. This partnership continued un-
til the end of last year when Mr.
Spehr continued in practice on his
own account. He was solicitor to the
South-Eastern District Councils' As-
sociation from its inception in 1908.
Mr. Spehr's long association with the
council included four strenuous years
as mayor. When he vacated that office
in 1924 he took at seat as an alder
man, and retired from the council
only last year. He was chairman of
the lighting committee of the council
from the inception of the electric sup
ply department in 1923. He was a
strong supporter of a Greater Mount
Gambier. He travelled extensively
throughout the Commonwealth, and
took short trips overseas. Deceased
married Miss Emma Elizabeth Shep
herdson, eldest daughter of the late
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Shepherdson. In
addition to his wife, he leaves three
sons, Messrs. L. B., G. S., and N. A. B.
Spehr. A member of a large family,
Mr. Spehr leaves seven brothers and
six -sisters.