William T. Soden 

County Cork, Ireland to Emporia, Kansas

William T. Soden,  (Bill - as he was called by his friends) the son of William and Angeline Smith Soden, was born in County Cork, Ireland, on 22 November, 1835.  He came to the United States with his parents, settling in Mooresfork, Clinton County, New York at approximately one year of age.  He worked in logging camps and at flour mills in the New York area until his 21st birthday.  In November of 1856, he headed west with $3,000.00 that he had saved, sewn into a belt around his waist.  He spent that winter working in a grocery store in Iowa.  In the spring of 1857 he joined with three other men, and headed further west, still in possession of his $3,000.00 and looking for a mill site. 

    More biographical information can be found in the Emporia Soden page.

    Bill married Frances Jean McCormick on 18 May 1860.  Frances died just a few days short of their first anniversary, on 30 March, 1861.  Frances bore Bill his first son,  who died 3 or 4 months later.  

    Bill married again seven years later in February of 1868, to Jennie Weaver.  Jennie died 10 December, 1875, survived by three children:  Mrs. Hallie E. Soden Laws;  Justin Rosenthal Soden;  and Harry Norman Soden.  Harry died at the age of 11 on 29 November, 1884.  

    Bill married for a third time on 10 Jun 1885 to Mrs. Sara Lockerman, the widow of Nicholas Lockerman.  The widow Lockerman was a wealthy woman, owning a valuable estate in Pike Township, west of Emporia.  Sara died on 25 November, 1924 at the age of 76.  

    Of his children, Justin Rosenthal Soden who was born on 4 August 1870, attended Western Military Academy from age 15 to 17.  The next year was spent in the Emporia National Bank.  In 1888 and 1889, Justin was a student at Poughkeepsie Military Academy in New York.  Following his father's retirement in 1899, Justin became the head of the Emporia Water Mills in 1900.   Justin married Jennie Perley on 16 January, 1901.  They had two children:  William and Margaret Soden.  His wife, Jennie died 27 June, 1959.    Justin died 28 November, 1924 after an illness paralyzed him for two months. 

   Bill,  William T. Soden,  died while spending the summer of 1906 in a sanitarium in Boulder, Colorado. He passed away on Tuesday, 14 August, 1906.  

Emporia News - 19 May 1860 Marriage Bill & Frances

Emporia News - 30 Mar 1861 Obit Frances Soden

Emporia News - 10 Dec 1875 Obit Jennie Weaver Soden

Emporia Gazette - 17 Jan 1901 Marriage Justin R.

Emporia Gazette - 16 Aug 1906 Obit William T., Un-named Soden infant death

Emporia Gazette - 29 Nov 1924 Obit Justin R.

Emporia Gazette - 5 Nov 1942 Un-named Soden infant death

Emporia Gazette - 27 Jun 1957 Un-named Soden infant death

Emporia Gazette - 27 Jun 1959 Obit Jennie Perley Soden

The Southwestern Miller, Oct 1922, Vol 1, No. 35 pages 21 and 29 Biography of Justin R.