SodySpokes: Alvin Charles

Bishop George H. Soderborg
From Burton Ward Scrapbook 1914-1919
Written by his wife Florence Soderborg 1951

George H. Soderborg was born in Salt Lake City, the son of Anders P. Soderborg and Augusta Johnson, who emigrated to America from Sweden and crossed the plains in 1860.

George was the ninth of eleven children, five of whom died in infancy. When he was four years old his father died, leaving his mother with six children to support. When he was old enough, he had to get out and do odd jobs to help his mother. His first job was pushing an ice cream cart. He made fifty cents a day and was allowed to eat one package of ice cream a day. Continue reading →

William Harold Sparks
Written by his daughter Evelyn Sparks Rawlings in 1984

He was born 1 November 1889 in Centerville, Davis County, Utah. His father was Joseph Thomas Sparkes and his mother was Rozina Francis Rose.

William’s father died when he was nine years old. He was the second of seven children. There were four of these children who died very young. He helped his mother support the younger children. He worked at any job or work available. He completed six full years of school. He was a very quiet man and easy going. He got a job doing office work at the mines. He met and fell in love with Caroline Mabel Soderborg and they were married 8 Sept 1909. Continue reading →

Edward Franklin Soderborg
Notes on a family group sheet probably by Josie Soderborg

Edward Franklin was a salesman. He loved a challenge. He was the third boy born to Andreas and Augusta. His dad named the boys A-B, C-D, E-F, and G-H. He was 14 years old when his Father passed away. Brig and Franklin really helped with the little children. He loved people and the gospel. He was called to a mission in Samoa for four years. He loved the people and the language. It was a very special part of his life. He loved to read, study and debate. He could sell refrigerators to the Eskimos (quote of brother George). He wrote poetry, songs by the realms.

Andreas Pontus Soderborg
By his Daughter Clara M. Soderborg Carlson, November 17, 1949

Son of Carl Fredrik Soderborg and Anna Margareta Osterman Soderborg, he was born February 6, 1831 in Kristine, Goteborg, Sweden. His father, Carl Frederik, had three wives and seventeen children of whom Anders was number fifteen. Carl Frederik and his brother, John Anders, were hat makers by trade. They were very successful financially and became quite wealthy. John Anders never married, so having no heir, he asked his brother Carl Frederik if he might take one of his sons to educate and prepare to be his heir. So Anders Pontus was chosen by his uncle. Continue reading →