Lorenz Speicher was born Sept. 4, 1858, in Hartheim, Baden, Germany, the son of George and Theresa Ritzenthaler Speicher. After serving time in the 1880s in the German army, he emigrated to the United States on or about Jan. 2, 1882, and arrived at the port of New York, Feb. 2, 1882. He worked at dredging the bay harbor in Saginaw, Mich., but left that area because of rheumatic problems. While living in Ohio, he filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States.
Arriving in the Eudora, Kan., area, he began farming. He and his brother, Joseph, were attracted to land in the Garden City area, Finney County, Kan., where each filed land claims. The two brothers had three claims, but since ranchers did not confine their stock, the crops and young trees were eaten by roving cattle. After brother Joseph died in late 1886 or early 1887, Lorenz returned to Eudora by way of an unticketed ride in the train baggage/mail car, and the story is told about his "jump off before the train got to the station exit."
Lorenz married Mary Elizabeth Schehrer July 19, 1892. They made their home on his farm about five miles south of Eudora. The children of his son, Lorenz Clarence, own the property today. Lorenz signed his petition for naturalization and became a citizen November 7, 1921.
The Catholic religion was always a part of the family. Lorenz passed away September 18, 1939, and is buried in the Holy Family Cemetery in Eudora. Mary passed away at the home October 12, 1932. Their 14 children are:
Charles Albert (b. March 29, 1893; d. November 27, 1960)
Anna Mary (b. March 4, 1895; d. September 21, 1966)
John George (b. September 23, 1896; d. unknown)
William Henry (b. November 6, 1898; d. March 9, 1946)
Agnes Theresa (b. November 2, 1899; d. November 17, 1899)
Julius Lorenz (b. July 18, 1901; d. July 22, 1983)
Clara Marie (b. April 1, 1904; d. May 2, 1977)
Mary Elizabeth (b. July 5, 1905; d. December 7, 1906)
Stephen (b. January 28, 1907; d. November 7, 1975)
Frank Joseph (b. October 22, 1908, d. May 27, 1983)
Henen Theresa (b. March 12, 1910)
Lorenz Clarence (b. April 23, 1912; d. March 11, 1953)
Bertha Theresa (b. May 26, 1913)
Teresa Elfreda (b. May 31, 1915)
(Submitted by Marvin F. Jardon, grandson)