Staggs Family History

My ancestors in the United States

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    William Edward Sammons (1884-1967)

    BIRTH: 7 Aug 1884, Towanda, Pennsylvania, USA
    DEATH: 13 Feb 1967, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    FATHER: George Sammons (1853-1929)
    MOTHER: Helen E Carl (1863-1948)
    SPOUSE: Amy M Larson (1885-1979)

    When William Edward Sammons was born on August 7, 1884, his father, George, was 30 and his mother, Helen, was 20. He married Amy M Larson on October 15, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois. They had two children during their marriage. He died on February 13, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 82, and was buried in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

    His story

    The following is an excerpt from Staggs Genealogy – Harold Wareham Staggs – His Book

    Bill moved to Chicago and worked as a draftsman for the Chicago Surface Lines. He then went to the University of Illinois for two years before he returned to Chicago, and there was licensed as a structural engineer. On October 14, 1909, he married Amy Matilda Larson. Amy’s mother, Matilda, and her father, Jonas (each died 1916), came from Sweden. Amy was one of ten children: Hulda, Elmer (U.S. Navy, WWII), Robert, Clarence, Florance, Edna, Julia, Mable and Kenneth.

    William Sammons third from left.

    Bill was a very quiet man who was known in Chicago as both a good engineer and a fine baseball player. He spent his time designing homes (our house in Cassville was designed for us by him), playing poker and the ponies. Bill saved about everything, old racing forms, stamps, newspapers, and a car. As for the car: Bill tried to sell it, but no one would pay him what he thought was a good price. So what can a man do but take it apart and store it in the basement? It was there when he died. Amy was the boss of the house except when Bill would put his foot down, about once a year. When that time came, Bill would say “Amy, shut up! We’ll do it my way”. With that, Amy would, to my disbelief, turn into a marshmallow.

    William and Amy Sammons 50th Wedding Anniversary.

    She was the best poker player I ever met. The four of us, Bill, Amy, Jeanne and I would play whenever we got together and I’ve always wondered if she used marked cards or E.S.P., in either case she always won. Jeanne took after her mother and was usually a winner, too.

    Bill and Amy had two children: Jeanne and Dorothy. Dot was born October 12, 1911, and married Frank Speidel, who was a civil engineer. They had two boys, Richard William, born December 27, 1936, who married Barbara who had three children by her first marriage, and Jeffery John, who was born June 12, 1941, and had three children, John, Suellyn and David by his first wife, one, Jeffery Frank, by his second, and his third wife had an adopted child, David.

    Obituary

    Chicago Tribune – 14 Feb 1967

    William E. Sammons, 82, of 3522 W. 60th pl., died yesterday in Central Community hospital. Mr. Sammons was a structural engineer, and for the last 45 years operated his business from his home. Surviving are his widow, Amy; a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Speidel; and five grandchildren. Services will be held at 1 p. m. Thursday in the chapel at Kedzie avenue and 65th place.

    Legacy of William Edward Sammons

    Parents

    Father: George Sammons (1853-1929)

    Mother: Helen E Carl (1863-1948)

    Married

    Amy M Larson (1885-1979). Married October 15, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois

    Children

    Documents

    • Birth Records
      • U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 > Name: William Sammons; Social Security Number: 354-30-3507; Birth Date: 7 Aug 1884; Issue year: 1954-1955; Issue State: Illinois; Last Residence: 60422, Flossmoor, Cook, Illinois, USA; Death Date: Feb 1967
    • Marriage records
      • Cook County, Illinois, U.S., Marriages Index, 1871-1920 > Name: William E. Sammons; Age: 25; Gender: Male; Birth Year: abt 1884; Marriage Type: Marriage; Marriage Date: 15 Oct 1909; Marriage Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Spouse Name: Amy Larson; Spouse Age: 23; Spouse Gender: Female; FHL Film Number: 1030466
    • Death records
      • Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1908-1988 > Name: William E Sammons; Death Date: 13 Feb 1967; Death Place: Cook, Illinois, USA; File Number: 609374
      • U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 > Name: William Sammons; Social Security Number: 354-30-3507; Birth Date: 7 Aug 1884; Issue year: 1954-1955; Issue State: Illinois; Last Residence: 60422, Flossmoor, Cook, Illinois, USA; Death Date: Feb 1967
      • Find A Grave
      • Burial: Chapel Hill Gardens South, Oak Lawn, Cook County, Illinois, USA
      • Obituary Notice > Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois · Tuesday, February 14, 1967
      • Burial Location > Cemetery: Chapel Hill Gardens South; Burial or Cremation Place: Oak Lawn, Cook County, Illinois, USA
    • Census Records
    • Other
      • U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 > Name: William Edward Sammons; Race: White; Birth Date: 7 Aug 1884; Residence Date: 1917-1918; Street Address: 3330 W. 66th St.; Residence Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA; Draft Board: 68; Physical Build: Medium; Height: Tall; Hair Color: Gray Brown; Eye Color: Blue; Spouse: Amy Sammons
      • U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 > Name: William E Sammons; Gender: Male; Race: White; Birth Date: 7 Aug 1884; Birth Place: Towanda, Pennsylvania, USA; Residence Place: Chicago, Illinois, USA; Military Draft Date: 1942

    Relation of William Edward Sammons to Steven Barry Staggs: maternal grandfather

    Page last updated November 10, 2025

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