SPALDING, William Curtis - 1912 Bio (1853-1920)

SPALDING, EVANS, INGALLS SAMPLE, WEBB

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/30/2007 at 19:29:20

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 252-253

W. C. SPALDING, secretary, treasurer and general manager for the Iowa Malleable Iron Company, owning and operating a large plant in Fairfield, is by reason of this connection one of the most prominent representatives of industrial interests in Jefferson county. He has filled this position since 1906. His birth occurred in Windsor county, Vermont, December 25, 1853, his parents being Daniel and Eleanor (EVANS) SPALDING, the former a native of New Hampshire while the latter was born in the Green Mountain state. They were reared and married in Vermont and spent almost their entire lives there, the father following the occupation of farming. The family numbered seven children of whom four are yet living.

W. C. SPALDING resided at the place of his birth until sixteen years of age, when he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he remained for five years, during which period he leared the stone cutter's trade. Thinking that better business opportunities were to be obtained in the middle west he came to Iowa in the fall of 1878 and for one year worked at his trade in Burlington. In 1879 he came to Fairfield and has since made this city his home and headquarters. He has, however, spent considerable time on the road, having been a traveling representative for a Rutland, Vermont, house for two years while for eight years he represented a Chicago firm. He then entered the marble and granite business on his own account and successfully operated in that field for ten years. He next became a contractor in cement work to which undertaking he devoted his energies for two or three years and is still interested in the business. In 1906 he entered into his present relations with the Iowa Malleable Iron Company of which he is the secretary, treasurer and general manager as well as one of its directors. The cement contracting business is carried on under the firm style of SPALDING & Kearns.

On the 1st of January, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. SPALDING and Miss Nettie INGALLS, who was born in Jefferson county, and is a daughter of Alphonso and Nancy INGALLS, also residents of this part of the state. The father was born near Albany, New York, May 1, 1823, and with his parents removed westward to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was practically reared. While living there he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, continuing with the army throughout the period of hostilities and at the close of the war receiving an honorable discharge. He was given a land warrant in recognition of his services and after coming to Iowa secured through that grant a tract of land in Polk township, Jefferson county. In March, 1864, he and his family took up their abode upon that property and to the development and cultivation of the fields he devoted his energies until he retired from active business life and removed to Fairfield where he died in April, 1880. While living upon the farm he engaged in the breeding of fine stock for a number of years, making a specialty of shorthorns which he exhibited at many fairs, winning a number of blue ribbons. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party of which he was a stanch and unfaltering advocate. On the 10th of February, 1848, Mr. INGALLS wedded Miss Nancy SAMPLE, who was born near Jacksonville, Illinois, October 26, 1826, and died in Fairfield on the 31st of May, 1906. They were the parents of eight children of whom five reached years of maturity and are still living, namely: James, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Malissa, the wife of Henry WEBB, of Wichita, Kansas; Charles, a resident of Darlington, Missouri; William, of Los Angeles, California; and Mrs. SPALDING.

In his fraternal relations Mr. SPALDING is a Mason and is locally prominent in the order, having become a member of the Knights Templar commandery and also of the Mystic Shrine. This and other activities, however, are but side issues in his life for his attention is chiefly concentrated upon his business interests and it has been through the individual improvement of his opportunities that he has worked his way steadily upward to the prominent position which he now fills in the industrial circle of Jefferson county.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.