William B. Malaby

William B. Malaby, born July 23, 1848, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent figure in Springdale Township and a pioneer of Sumner County, Kansas. He moved to Kansas in 1870, settling on undeveloped land previously occupied by Osage Indians. Malaby was an advocate for the Union Labor movement and served in various local leadership roles, including President of the Farmers’ Alliance. He had two marriages, resulting in seven children. His legacy as a hardworking farmer and community leader is fondly remembered.

WILLIAM B. MALABY. This gentleman, among the leading men of Springdale Township, is an advanced advocate of the Union Labor movement, and one who keeps himself thoroughly posted upon the leading topics of the day, advocating progressive measures in all things as far as is wise and prudent. He has the honor of being one of the pioneer settlers of this county, becoming first a resident of Palestine Township. His native place was in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and the date of his birth July 23, 1848. He was the eldest of the twelve children of his parents, ten of whom are living, making their homes mostly in Kansas.

George A. Malaby, the father of our subject, was a native likewise of the Keystone State, and occupied himself as a farmer and bricklayer. He was married in early manhood to Miss Esther A. Johnson, a maiden of his own county, and they resided there until 1854. Then emigrating to LaSalle County, Ill., they lived there sixteen years, and next removed to Marshall County. After a three years’ residence in the latter, they, in 1870, disposed of their property and transported themselves and their household goods across the Mississippi to Kansas, settling in this county. The father departed this life at his home in Palestine Township, August 1, 1878; the mother is still living at the old homestead, and is aged fifty-nine years.

The Malaby family removed to Illinois when William B. was a little lad six years of age. He attended school for a few winters thereafter, and at the age of twenty years commenced farming on his own account. He came to Kansas in 1870, settling in this county on the 7th of August, when there was not a woman within its limits, and when the Osage Indians mostly owned and occupied the land. Herds of buffalo roamed over the prairie, and Mr. Malaby spent days at a time without seeing the face of a human being. Settlers soon began coming in, however, and there was soon a growing community. But few are living in this county who came to this region at that time. Mr. Malaby located first on what was known as the McCamon farm, and labored as best he could without capital, and with few conveniences or farm implements. Later he removed to the John Widick farm in Palestine Township. About 1872, he with the Deaver Bros., put up the first livery stable in Belle Plaine, which he operated one year.

Mr. Malaby was married in February, 1873, to Martha S., step-daughter of Joseph Daniels, of Palestine Township. Mrs. Malaby was born May 2, 1855, in Illinois, and by her union with our subject, became the mother of three children: William L. F., born March 20, 1875; Joseph E. A., February 22, 1877; and Ross E., July 13, 1879. Mrs. Martha Malaby died at her home in Palestine, July 22, 1881. Our subject was married again July 17, 1882, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Alfred and Susan Rice, who were natives of Gallatin County, Ill. Mrs. Rice died in 1880. Mr. Rice is still living in Illinois. Mrs. Margaret Malaby was born December 15, 1860, in Gallatin County, Ill., where she was reared and attended the common school. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Clarence I., born May 13, 1884; Myra Helena, March 31, 1886; Norah Esther, January 4, 1888, and Howard Raymond, August 5, 1889. The present wife of our subject is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Malaby is President of the Farmers’ Alliance, Springdale Lodge, No. 656, and has been a member of the school board of his district for the past five years. He has just completed his second term as Township Trustee. He takes an active interest in politics, and until about three years ago, was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. His sympathies are now with the Union Labor movement, of which he is a leader in this locality. His farm embraces three hundred and twenty acres of good land, the greater part of which is under a good state of cultivation. Upon taking possession of this in 1877, preempting it from the Government, it presented an appearance widely different from that of the present, having upon it no improvements whatever, lying as the Indians had left it. Mr. Malaby put up his present residence in 1882. He is quite extensively interested in the breeding of live-stock, cattle, horses, sheep, and swine. He has planted large numbers of fruit trees, having two orchards, including four hundred apple trees, one hundred cherry trees, and fifty of peach. As a pioneer settler of this region, he is regarded with more than ordinary interest, and as one who has made for himself a good record, he is eminently worthy of representation in a work designed to perpetuate the names and deeds of the early settlers of Sumner County.