MARTIN W. SPEULDA. - Martin W. Speulda, a jeweler of Springfield, was born in this city October 17, 1854, and now occupies the house on East Jefferson street in which his birth occurred. His father, William M. Speulda, was a watch-maker and jeweler, who was born in Norden, near Hanover, Germany. He possessed natural mechanical ingenuity and inherited probably a predilection for his chosen field of labor, for as far back as the lineage of the family can be traced - and that is for several generations - his ancestors were watch-makers. He came to America in the ‘30s and arrived in Sangamon county about 1842, making the journey by stage. The mother of our subject made the trip by the Erie canal and on the Great Lakes to Chicago, thence to Peoria on the Michigan canal, and from Peoria to Springfield by stage. Her maiden name was Hedwig Brummaloh, and she was a native of Friesland, Germany, a little village not far from Hanover. She is still living at the age of eighty-three years. After his arrival here Mr. Speulda worked for George W. Chatterton, Sr., in the same position which his son, Martin W. Speulda, is now filling, and he continued in that line of business until his death.

Martin W. Speulda began work on the watch bench when ten years of age. He possessed natural talent along the line and is today a very capable watch maker, jeweler and safe expert. At the age of fourteen years he went to St. Louis, where he worked as an apprentice at the jeweler's trade, and during that time he also attended the Polytechnic Institute of St. Louis, studying at nights. He spent three winters in school there, and in 1875 he came to Springfield and began business on his own account, conducting his store for eight or nine years. On the expiration of that period he formed a business connection with the Illinois Watch Company, and afterward worked at his trade with some of the leading jewelry houses of the city. In 1902 he engaged with Mr. Chatterton, whom he now represents. He is a specialist as a safe and lock expert, and his references from many of the leading banks in this and other states.

Mr. Speulda was married on the 15th of November, 1876, to Miss Flavia F. Magie, and they have two children. Alta May, the daughter, is a graduate of the public schools and the Teachers' Training School of Springfield and is now engaged in teaching in the public schools. Albert Howell was graduated from the ward school, spent two years as a high school student in Springfield, and is now bookkeeper for F. E. McVeigh, who owns and controls the largest grocery establishment in the United States. He is only in his nineteenth year. The family home is at No. 113 East Jefferson street, Mr. Speulda owning that property.

He served for five years as a member of the Illinois National Guard, which he joined as a private, but was serving as a non-commissioned officer when honorably discharged. In politics he is a Democrat where national questions are under consideration, but at local elections he votes independently. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Having spent his entire life in Springfield he is well known, so that he needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, many of whom give him their friendship because of his possession of qualities which everywhere win esteem, confidence and favorable opinion.