Edgar A. Spalding, a prominent farmer and stockman of Benton township, belongs to a pioneer Butler county family. Mr. Spalding was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, October 2, 1855, and is a son of Richard C. and Elsie M. Spalding, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of New York. The mother died in Illinois, and the father and children came to Butler county, settling at Towanda in 1869. A year or two later the father bought 160 acres of land and was engaged in

farming and stock raising until his death, December 28, 1912. He was a successful business man and a good citizen.

The Spaldings were among the very first settlers in Butler county, and Edgar A., who was about fourteen years old when they settled here, has a rich store of many interesting recollections of pioneer days. Emporia was their nearest trading point of any consequence, there being no Wichita at that time. In 1870 the elder Spalding did some work on the Meade ranch, which was located where the city of Wichita now stands, and that year was about the beginning of the settlement of Wichita. He, with James R. Meade, broke the first ground in Wichita. There were few permanent settlers in Butler county at that time, and Mr. Spalding says that his father frequently killed deer and buffalo, which were their principal sources of meat. The "sand-hill" plum was also gathered in large quantities and served as an article of food.

Mr. Spalding was educated in the public schools and remained with his father on the home farm in early life, and about the time he reached the age of twenty-one he took charge of the farm, and through industry, guided by more than ordinary business ability, he has become one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Butler county. He was married October 4, 1882, to Miss Serepta Mooney, a daughter of Rev. Isaac Mooney, a Butler county pioneer, a narrative of whose life appears in this volume. To Edgar A. and Serepta (Mooney) Spalding have been born the following children: Mrs. Margaret E. Leuszler, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Georgia Jackson, Lankershin, Colo.; Mrs. Grace Kenoyer, Kansas City, Mo.; Edgar A., Jr., Benton; and Harriet I., Benton.

Mr. Spalding takes a commendable interest in local affairs and has served as trustee and clerk of Benton township. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and he and Mrs. Spalding belong to the Christian church.

Previous | Main Page | Biography Index | Next

Pages 716-717,