Harley Vance Speelman was born on April 27, 1865 in Vinton County, Ohio.

He was a charter member of the Capt. H. C. Messenger Camp No. 95,Coalton, when he joined on March 26, 1886. Harley became the Ohio Department Commander in 1901. He was also a charter member of the U.S. Grant Camp No. 100, Cincinnati when he joined it on November 14, 1907 and was its first Camp Commander. Serving the National Sons of Veterans, he was Adjutant General, Council-in-Chief, and National Press Correspondent.

His father, Joseph E. Speelman, served with Co. E, 65th Ohio Infantry. He enlisted on September 30, 1864 and was mustered out on June 14, 1865 as a private.

By profession Harley was a journalist. He taught school and moved on to the newspaper business. He was Editor of the Coalton Times, Wellston Telegram, Franklin County Herald, and Marietta Leader. He became the Reading Clerk in the Ohio State Legislator where he became friends with the future President, Warren G. Harding. He also served as Secretary to Hezekiah S. Bundy who was a member of Congress representing the Tenth Ohio District.

He entered government service in Cincinnati in 1900, serving in the Office of the Subteasury. In 1913, he was transferred to the Accounting Division of the Office of the Treasurer of the United States. He was appointed Assistant Register and then became the Register of the U.S. Treasury (January 22, 1922 – September 30, 1927) during the Harding and Calvin Coolidge administrations. You'll see his signature on the paper money printed during those years.

Harley was a member of many organizations, including the Knights of Pythias, Red Man, Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum, Blaine Club, Stamina Republican League, Ohio Republican League, and Columbia Heights Citizens Association.

He married Effie Alice Long and they had two sons and a daughter.

Brother Speelman died on September 8, 1932 and is buried in Fairmount
Cemetery in Jackson, Ohio.