James Breckenridge Speed (alternatively James Breckinridge Speed; January 4, 1844 – July 7, 1912) was an American corporate executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist based in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as the President of the Louisville Railway Company and over the course of his life founded and led multiple public companies including the Louisville Cement Company and the Ohio Valley Telephone Company.
Early life and family
James Breckinridge Speed was born on January 4, 1844, in Boonville, Missouri, to Marry Ellen (née Shallcross) and William Pope Speed, son of John Speed. His mother died when he was an infant.
Speed attended local schools in Louisville and graduated from the Louisville High School. He saw early how significant cement would be in the growth of America, and he became the president of the Louisville Cement Company.