USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 82
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Michael L. Soden is a practical farmer and stock-raiser of Wyan- dotte County, Kas., and has proven himself to be one of the men essential to the success and prosperity of the community in which they reside. He was born in County Cavin, North of Ireland, in Decem- ber, 1834, being one of four children born to his parents, their names in order of birth being as follows: Peter (who is married and resides in Kansas City, Mo., and is a wealthy man), Michael L. (the subject of this memoir), Patrick (who is also a wealthy, retired contractor and builder, of Kansas City, Mo., and is married), and Maggie (who died when she was about thirty-five years of age. She was the wife of Patrick Brady, a patrolman of Kansas City. Mo.). The parents of these children were born in Ireland, both of whom are now deceased, the father having been a linen draper while living. Mr. Soden's edu- cation was quite meager, as he was left a poor boy with his own living to earn, but, often feeling the need of an education, he is a stanch supporter and believer in free schools, and in fact, educational institu- tions of all kinds. He commenced to make his own way in the world at the age of sixteen years without a shilling in his pocket, but the position he now occupies should teach a lasting lesson to all, for it shows what indomitable energy and perseverance can do. He was married in Kansas City, Mo., on December 4, 1869, to Miss Mary J. Kelley who was born in the South of Ireland, her education being re- ceived in the national schools of that country. Her union with Mr. Soden has resulted in the birth of the following children: Maggie (who is a finely educated young lady residing with her parents), Mar- tin, Peter, Mary, Willie and Joseph. Mr. Soden first enlisted in the
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Home Militia during the Rebellion, after which he served as teamster for two years, his regiment taking part in the following engagements: Jefferson City, and holding Gen. Price in check at Westport near Kansas City, besides some other minor engagements. He was honor- ably discharged at Warrensburg, Mo., during the spring of 1865, and has since devoted his attention to farming, being now in comfortable circumstances. Since coming to this country he has supported the measures of Democracy, in national issues, but he has always upheld men of honor, integrity and truth rather than the shrewd politician. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and al- ways contribute of their means to support all benevolent institutions. At the age of sixteen years he came to America from Ireland, taking passage on board a vessel at Liverpool, England, and landing at New York. After a short time he moved to New Jersey, and at the end of six months, to Independence, Mo., afterward to Clay County, of the same State, where he remained a number of years. Here Mr. Soden carried the hod in the erection of William Jules College, this being about thirty-eight years ago. From this place he came to Kansas City, Mo., at which time there was not a brick building in the place, and he can say with truth that he has seen the remarkable develop- ment of this place as well as Kansas City, Kas. When he first came to the former place, the surrounding country was a perfect wilderness, and did not promise much to the incoming settlers, and where now are the handsome streets of Delaware, Broadway and Wyandotte, and Grand Avenue, then was heavy timber and brush. Kansas City, Kas., was then unknown, and the present magnificent city of Kansas City, Mo., then comprised 500 inhabitants. Mr. Soden is one of the earli- est settlers of this region, and can well remember the time when Mc- Gee's addition to Kansas City, Mo., was planted to corn, and was valued at only $25 per acre. Although he spent two years in the Rocky Mountains there was not a railroad in the West, and the trip was made overland. He and his wife now own thirty-nine acres of land, lying within four and one-half miles of the city limits of Kan- sas City, Kas. He has a neat and commodious farm residence and outbuildings, and here he and his estimable wife expect to spend the rest of their days, surrounded by their children and numerous friends.
Elisha Sortor, another old settler of Wyandotte County, came here from Allegany County, N. Y., in 1857, prompted by an honest desire to better himself, and for the same amount of money acquire more territory. He settled in Quindaro, bought six town lots (real
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estate being on a boom at that place), and expected to make his fort- une in a short time. In about five years, he bought an acre and a half at sheriff's sale, and later bought thirty-five acres more for taxes. The Indians shortly afterward moved away, then the war came on, property depreciated, and when the Hannibal bridge was built below the mouth of the Kaw, the glories of Quindaro departed. As soon as he had purchased the thirty-five acres, Mr. Sortor began farming, and is now the owner of 175 acres, all the result of hard work and close application. During the time that Gen. Price made his raid, Mr. Sortor was second lieutenant in the State militia, and was in the fight at Blue and Westport. He has held a number of local positions, has been school director, and has been road overseer for twenty years. He is the son of William and Cynthia (Clark) Sortor, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Vermont, but both were reared in New York. They reared a family of nine children-four sons and five daughters-three sons and all the daughters are now living, but only one, our subject, residing in this State. William Sortor was sixty- seven years of age when his death occurred, in 1865, and his widow lived until the winter of 1890, being eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. The paternal grandparents, Elisha and Margaret Sortor, came to New York State, and there reared their family. The father of Elisha was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject was born in 1825, grew to manhood with a farm experience, received a limited education in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age, started for himself by farming and lumbering, continuing at this until he came West. When twenty-two years of age, he married Miss Eva Brundage, the daughter of Matthew Brundage, who was a farmer of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Sortor were born four children- three sons and a daughter: Henry (on the farm), Charles (a school teacher), Fred (at home), and Cynthia (wife of a conductor, re- siding at Kansas City, Mo.). Politically Mr. Sortor is a Republican and a Prohibitionist. He commenced life here as a day laborer, and is now in very comfortable circumstances indeed. He has always con- tributed liberally to all worthy enterprises, and is one of the represent- ative citizens. He is one of the oldest of the white settlers in the county, but time has dealt gently with him.
John Spaeth, fruit-grower, Vance, Kas. Of the foreign born ele- ment now in Wyandotte County, none are more thrifty, prudent and economical than those who were originally from Germany. Mr. Spaeth was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, June 19, 1850, and his parents,
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Joseph and Barbara (Hirning) Spaeth, are both natives of that country. They reared a family of six children-four sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest, Mary, George, Louis, Christian and Johanna, and all are now living, and Mary is married to John Hern- ing, who resides near Rosedale. The parents are still living. John Spaeth was reared on his father's farm until fourteen years of age, and attended the common schools for nine years. He then started out by himself, with the intention of going to an uncle in Loveland, Ohio, but arriving in New York City, he concluded to learn the cabinet mak- er's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, worked at his trade about a year, and then changed off to carpenter work, which he carried on for about four years. In 1871 he came to Wyandotte County, located near Wyandotte City, engaged in the nursery business, and carried this on very successfully for five years. Then he lost nearly all during the grasshopper season. Two years after he bought the place where he now resides, ten acres, and has it all devoted to fruit. He is also the owner of twenty acres of excellent land within a quarter of a mile of the town. Since coming to Vance he has been quite successful, and is one of the foremost fruit- growers. He was married in Greensburg, Ind., February 15, 1870, to Miss Carrie Horstman, a sister of Christ. Horstman, who is one of the trustees of this township. Six children are the result of this union, all daughters: Jessie, Lillie, Rose, Grace, Carrie and Addie. Mr. Spaeth has been school director for four years, and district clerk one term. Politically he is a Democrat and votes that ticket.
Bernard Speaker has been worthily identified with Wyandotte County since 1870, and no history of the county would be complete which failed to make proper mention of him and the business in which he is engaged. In 1876 he made a purchase of twenty acres of land, and although his farm is small he has utilized it to such good ad- vantage that he is now the owner of a sufficient amount of worldly goods to make him independent for the rest of his days. He devotes from five to seven acres to the raising of sweet potatoes, the average yield per acre being from 200 to 225 bushels, and the varieties are Yellow Jersey, Early Golden and Red Bermuda. He furnishes Trum- bell, Reynolds & Co. their seed for shipping. Of Irish potatoes he raises the Early Ohio, averaging from 125 to 150 bushels. per acre, and also gives considerable attention to the culture of the late Mam- moth Pearl. For several years he planted two crops of potatoes on the same ground, and he devoted from one to two acres to watermelons
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each year, the principal varieties being Cuban Queen and Ice Rind. The remaining acres are given to cabbages and other kinds of vege- tables. He is loud in his praise of Wyandotte County, for in his opin- ion it contains some of the richest land of the State, and its fruit, veg- etables, etc., are unsurpassed. He makes the statement that 80,000 bushels of potatoes were raised and sold in his section this year, and the average profit per acre of vegetables is between $50 and $100. He is a native German, and like all his countrymen, thrifty, industri- ous and honest, and an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. He was born March 21, 1834, and until he attained manhood he was en- gaged in farming in his native land. In 1860 he came to the United States to seek a home, and until February, 1862, he was engaged in gardening in Louisville, Ky., then joining the Twenty-eighth Ken- tucky Infantry, Company I, under Capt. John Schmidt, and served in the Fourth Army Corps, taking part in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. He was captured at Green River in September, 1862, by Gen. Bragg, was kept a prisoner for three months, and was then exchanged. After the war he returned to Louisville, Ky., but at the end of one year he joined the Veteran Reserve Corps of the regular army, and during his three years' service he was promoted to drill-master. His services in this capacity were fully appreciated, and he was offered the position of orderly, but he preferred to retain the position of first duty ser- geant, and this position filled successfully until he received his dis- charge in the fall of 1869. After going back to Louisville, Ky., and remaining there four months, he made a visit to his old home in Eu- rope, after which he came back to Louisville, and in 1870, settled in Wyandotte County, Kas. After working at different callings until 1876, he bought the farm where he now lives, as above stated. He was married in 1876 to Miss Elizabeth Frohoff, a native German, their acquaintance being formed while Mr. Speaker was visiting in Der Faterland, and five years afterward she crossed the water to America. They are now the parents of five interesting and intelligent children: Louis, Joseph, John, Charley and Mary. Although formerly a Re- publican in his political views, Mr. Speaker has supported Democratic principles for some years past. He is serving his sixth year as school director in District 19, and he and his wife are members of the Cath- olic Church at Argentine. In the calling in which he is engaged, Mr. Speaker is well known to the people of this community, and he has, and fully deserves, the respect of all, for he is perfectly honorable in
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every particular, and keeps fully apace with the times in all matters of public interest.
Dr. Frederick Speck, an old and honored physician of Kansas City, Kas., was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Penn., November 24, 1818, his parents, Dr. Joseph and Mary (Motter) Speck, being also born there. The paternal grandparents were Frederick and Barbara (Mus- sulman) Speck, their births occurring in Lancaster County, Penn. The first member of the family to settle in America was a Hollander, the mother's ancestor being a German. The parents of Dr. Speck had a family of three children, of whom he was the eldest, the only son and the only one now living. The mother died about 1838 and his father subsequently married Elizabeth Hollenback, by whom he reared a family of six children, only one of whom, a son, is now living. The father's death occurred April 3, 1875, in Kansas City, Kas., where he located in 1857, he having been a graduate of Dickinson College, of Carlisle, Penn., and also a graduate of a Baltimore Medical College. He practiced his profession for over forty years, and for two years wa's a surgeon in the Union army during the Rebellion. Dr. Freder- ick Speck spent his early life in his native town and received his liter- ary education in Dickinson College, also. His first knowledge of medicine was acquired under his father, and in early manhood he com- pleted a course in the Franklin Medical College of Philadelphia, grad- uating in 1847. He began practicing in Fremont, Schuylkill County, Penn., but after spending five years there, and a similar length of time in Selin's Grove, Snyder County, Penn., he came West and took up his location in Kansas City, Kas., where he has been in the active prac- tice of his profession ever since. For the past forty-three years he has been a practitioner of the "healing art," and during thirty-three years of this time he has been located at Kansas City. He is now the pioneer physician of this place, and during the long term of years spent here he has become well known, both professionally and socially. He was married on June 8, 1848, to Miss Adelaide M. Dennis, who accompanied him to the West and died in Kansas City, March 8, 1882, leaving, besides her husband, four children to mourn her death. They are Annie M., Mary C., Joseph B. and Richard D. On December 31, 1885, the Doctor was married to Mrs. Frances L. Battles, a daughter of Hon. Marsh Giddings, late governor of New Mexico, and the widow of Augustus S. Battles, of Philadelphia, Penn. Dr. Speck and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is a prominent Odd Fellow, and has been honored with the position of Grand Master and
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Grand Chief Patriarch of the State, and Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States, which met at Baltimore in 1873 and at Atlanta in 1874. He is now one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the State, and has also long been a member of the Masonic fraternity and the K. of P. He is a devoted member of the Republican party, and has served two terms as mayor of the city and several terms as a member of the city council. He has held the position of pension examiner for a period of ten years, and is now a member of the board. He was also a member of the board that built the Blind Asylum, and served as one of its trustees for several years, and has served as a physician of that in- stitution ever since it was erected. He was a member of the Kansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Pro- fessionally, as in every other respect, Dr. Speck stands very high, and he possesses the universal respect and esteem of his medical brethren in this section. He has an extensive acquaintance and a large circle of friends, and is a man who will command respect in whatever locality he might settle.
J. M. Squires, of Kansas City, Kas., is a native of New Jersey, where he was born in 1834, to William and Mary (Irvin) Squires, both of whom were also born in that State. The father was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, a very active and energetic man, and in his political views was a Whig. His father was born in Vermont, and was a stove-maker by trade. To William Squires and wife a family of five children were born, all of whom are living. J. M. Squires attended the common schools of New Jersey, and was in the lumber business with his father for some years, and also worked at carriage-making for some time before entering the army, and has always been of a mechanical turn of mind. August 5, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thir- tieth New York Infantry, United States army, but was soon afterward transferred to the First Dragoons of a New York cavalry regiment, and was with the Army of the Potomac, and served in the State of Virginia the most of the time. He was at Winchester, and saw Sheridan after the close of his famous ride. Gen. Wright was the senior officer in command, and upon seeing Gen. Sheridan, he cried, "Gen. Sheridan, we are whipped!" to which Sheridan replied, "You may be, but by G-d my men are not!" and true enough, he rallied his men and won the day. He was with Gen. Sherman in the Shenandoah Valley, and was in the battle of the Wilderness, and afterward crossed the Rapi- dan with Grant and took part in the engagements at Spottsylvania and Petersburg, seeing much hard service. At the battle of Winchester he
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held the position of first duty sergeant under Gen. Merritt. Two of his brothers served in the Union army also. Mr. Squires was mustered out of service June 24, 1865, and returned to his old home, and for some time after was the proprietor of a meat- market. He afterward went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and after working in the Chicago & North- Western Railroad shops for quite a period, he removed to Michigan Iron Mines, near Green Bay, and there worked for the same road one winter, returning at the end of that time to Fond du Lac. August 3, 1870, he found himself in Kansas City, Kas., and continued his labors for the above-mentioned road until two years since. He is the owner of 168 acres of land near Cameron, Mo. He was the first president of the school board of consolidated Kansas City, in which capacity he served three years, retiring in August, 1889. There was a great amount of work done on the school buildings during this time, and for nearly two years he gave all his attention to superintending the erection of school buildings. He is a Republican, a member of Burnside Post of the G. A. R., and is a charter member of both the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. He was married just before going into the army, but his wife died during his service, and he was again married in Missouri, about 1872. He is well known in Kansas City, and com- mands the respect of all.
Andrew Stalberg, mechanic, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Stalberg is foreman of the pattern shop of the great plant known as "The Keystone Iron Works," of Kansas City, Kas., and is a mechanic of no ordinary ability. He was originally from North Sweden, his birth occurring near Gothenburg, November 10, 1836, and was reared in that city. . He was the elder of two brothers, the other being John, who is now a resident of New York City, where he is a professional pattern-maker. He married Miss Anna Ciza. The father of our sub- ject was a native also of Sweden, and was a soldier. He is now de- ceased. The mother still lives, and is eighty-five years of age. An- drew Stalberg obtained his early educational training in the common schools of his native country, and later attended the high school at Gothenburg. He received his education in the evening schools, and finished his course as a draughtsman and designer. At the age of twenty-five years he worked as a pattern-maker in the following cities: First at the city of Tralhalan, Sweden, remained three years; from there went to Gothenburg, where he remained twelve years, and while in that city worked for a firm by the name of Killer, one of the largest of the kind in Sweden. A company of ten, Mr. Stalberg
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among them, built a foundry at a total cost of $35,000, and Mr. Stall- berg and a partner called upon King Charles XV. for aid in the con- struction of this important enterprise. There there they remained for seven weeks, were partially successful, and then returned home and erected the plant. This did not prove as successful as the company anticipated, and they failed as a result. The failure was caused by the enterprise proving an impetus for some members of the company to ascend too readily the hill of importance and style, and another cause was that some of the mechanics liked the social glass too well. All the company were first-class mechanics in detail. Afterward Mr. Stalberg went as foreman for James Robertson at Gothenburg, and remained there three years. From there he went back to the old firm, remained with the same for four years, and here he met with an acci- dent that almost proved fatal. About a ton of wire fell on him, he was taken out as dead, but immediate medical aid saved him. After recovering he returned to work, remained one year, and emigrated to New York City in 1868. He remained there for nine years, working with a friend from his own city of Gottingen. The first four years he was a pattern-maker, and the remainder of the time he was foreman. He came to Kansas City in 1878, identified himself with the Keystone Iron Works, where he has been ever since. He has been a trusted and valuable man in this great plant for twelve years, nine years of which time he was foreman. This brief sketch shows that Mr. Stalberg is a man who, in his especial profession, is one of value to his employers in every position he has held. He was married in the old country, in 1855, to Miss Anna Christina, a native of Sweden, where she received her education, and the fruits of this union were five children-two sons and three daughters: Amanda (married Rev. Frederick Swam- berg, a Lutheran clergyman, and they have six children. They reside in Nebraska), Augusta (deceased), Albin Isadore (deceased), Israel (deceased), Alma Josephine (resides with her parents, and is a musician and teacher of music). She is the youngest in the family. Mr. Stalberg is a Republican by principle and precept. He cast his first presiden- tial vote for Gen. Grant. He has been an active politician, and his influence is felt in this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Stalberg and family are worthy members of the Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kas., and Mr. Stalberg has had the charge of the Sunday-school for thirty- five years, having been superintendent of the same since first locat- ing here. He is also a deacon in the same, and president of the build- ing committee of the church, which he has partially superintended in
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building, at a cost of $45,000. All this is highly commendable to Mr. Stalberg, and he is one of the mainstays in his church. He is president of the Temperance & Benevolent Society, and this society is in a very flourishing condition, having $2,000 in the treasury. Mr. and Mrs. Stalberg always contribute of their means to any enterprise worthy of their attention, and no worthy movement is allowed to fall through for want of assistance. They are the owners of a nice prop- erty at 1115 Holly Street, Kansas City, Mo., and it is valued at $9, - 000. This much-esteemed couple expect to make their permanent home in Kansas City, where Mr. Stalberg's talents and skill will ever be in demand. Here they are surrounded by their children and many warm friends.
Charles E. Staub, assistant chief of the fire department, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Staub was originally from Washington County, Md., his birth occurring on October 13, 1856, and was reared to manhood in his native county. He received a good practical education in the common schools, and remained in Washington County until 1878, when he went to Ohio and then to Illinois. He served three years as an ap- prentice to the blacksmith and machanist's trade. While in Southern Illinois he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Jacob Heilmand, and a native of Union County, Ill. They became the parents of two children, one now living, Harry. Mr. Staub came to this city in 1882, worked at his trade here for eighteen months and then started a shop on Third Street, which he carried on for three years, and in which business he was successful. He then sold out and entered the fire department as above stated. He has assisted in the manufacture of some of the patents that are used in the department at present, worked on the water-tower, and rebuilt the wagon used for carrying the hose out of the water limits, also improved the harness hangings, and the new halter hitches. He is a member of the K. of P., Fellow- ship Lodge No. 2, and Uniform Rank and has been worthy vice in the former. He is also a member of the Franklin Lodge A. O. U. W., No. 132, and is a Republican in his political views. Although he came here with limited means, Mr. Staub has accumulated a handsome property, and is a representative citizen of Kansas City, Kas.
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