SPALDING, Alexander S.

SPALDING, TAYLOR, ROSS

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 2/3/2019 at 12:31:30

ALEXANDER S. SPALDING.

The well-known foreman of the machine shop at the new round house of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway in Clinton, Iowa, was born in Edinburg, Scotland, on the 8th of April, 1855, and is a son of William and Magdeline (Taylor) Spalding, who spent their entire lives in that country. For twenty-six years the father was successfully engaged in the grocery business in Edinburg, and at his death was succeeded by his son, John, who still carries' on the business. The father died in 1883, at the age of sixtyfive years, and the mother departed this life in 1881, at the age of sixty years. Our subject is the only one of their children living in America, but he has two brothers and one sister who still make their home in Scotland.

In early life Mr. Spalding learned the machinist's trade in his native city and also became familiar with marine mechanical work. He was employed as a journeyman for some time before coming to America. It was on the 5th of July, 1880, that he landed in this country and proceeded to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was in the employ of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad for one year, and with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company about the same length of time. Coming to Clinton in 1882, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway as a journeyman, and worked in the old shops on Second street until the new shop on Camanche avenue was built. Here he had charge of locating and fitting the machinery, and when the shop was completed in June, 1900, he was appointed foreman. Previously he had worked in the air-brake department live years, and had charge of the tool-making department about the same length of time. He now has supervision of all the repair work in connection with the new round house, which is said to be the largest round house in the world, and he has eleven men working under him. He is a skilled mechanic and is well qualified to fill the responsible position which he now holds.

Mr. Spalding was married in Clinton, May 3, 1882, to Miss Euphemia Ross, and to them were born five children, of whom David died at the age of two years. Those living are Magdeline, William, Erne and James. Miss Ross was also born in the northern part of Scotland, she coming to Clinton, where she lived till her marriage. In his social relations Mr. Spalding is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is well and favorably known, and has a host of warm friends in Clinton.

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.