September 15, 2023
Pages 1315
Whole Number 70
NOTES ON THE SPARKS FAMILIES
OF LEWIS COUNTY, KENTUCKY
(Editor's note: In the December 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 68, pp. 1271-79 we published a variety of records copied from official sources in Lewis County, Kentucky, pertaining to persons named Sparks. On the basis of those records, along with others supplied by descendants and found outside Lewis County, we here try to tie members of these families together. Much remains to be done, and we realize that some of our conjectures may prove to be wrong, but we hope that by publishing what we have gathered it may prove helpful. We also hope that readers whose ancestry goes back to Lewis County will aid us in making these records more complete.)
Pages 1315-1321
Whole Number 70
1.2.5.10.11 JOSEPH SPARKS
of LEWIS COUNTY, KENTUCKY
Note: More detail on this family exists below
1.2.5.10.11 Joseph Sparks was born ca. 1777 in Virginia and died in 1838 in Concord, Lewis County, Kentucky. He was probably the Joseph Sparks who married Anne Wilson on January 19, 1797, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Joseph paid taxes in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, from 1796 to 1804; however, he paid taxes in Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1809 and is listed in that county on the census for 1810, 1820, and 1830. Records and letters from descendants indicate that Joseph Sparks had the following children:
1.2.5.10.11.1 James Sparks was born ca. 1798. He married Nancy Elizabeth Gilman. From census records, we know that Elizabeth was born ca. 1807 in Pennsylvania. According to a biographical sketch of her grandson, James Harvey Sparks (see Jesse W. Weik's History of Putnam County, Indiana, published in 1910, p. 374), Elizabeth was a daughter of Henry Gilman who was a soldier in the Revolution under General Wayne. She died sometime after 1880. James Sparks lived on Cabin Creek in Lewis County, Kentucky, near his father until ca. 1838 when he moved to Putnam County, Indiana. Subsequently, he went to Clayton County, Iowa, where he is listed on the 1850 census. His portrait appeared on the cover of the December 1959 Quarterly--at that time we were uncertain of his name. He apparently died before 1857, in which year his widow, Elizabeth, was living in Olmstead County, Minnesota, near her son 1.2.5.10.11.1.6 Albert Cyrus Sparks. In 1870 she was living with her son John in the same place; when the 1880 census was taken she was also living with this son. Records indicate that James and Elizabeth Sparks were the parents of thirteen children. They were:
1.2.5.10.11.1.1 Patsey Sparks, born ca. 1820; she married Joseph Yates in 1836 in Lewis County, Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2 Allen Sparks, born June 1, 1822, died April 26, 1907. He received a pension for his service in the Civil War and from those records we have learned the following about him: He was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, on June 1, 1822. He was married twice. His first wife, Martha Moore, died in March 1857 in Leavenworth, Kansas. Perhaps Allen Sparks went to Kansas when his father moved from Indiana to Iowa. He married (second) Sarah A. Woodward on September 25, 1862, at National, Clayton County, Iowa. On May 20, 1861, he enrolled at McGregor, Iowa, as a sergeant in Co. C, 3rd Regiment of Iowa Infantry and was honorably discharged for disability at Mound City, Illinois, on September 19, 1863. He was 5 feet, 10 inches tall at his enlistment, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair; by occupation he was a farmer. According to his certificate of discharge, he was in action at Blue Mills, Missouri, on September 17, 1861, and he was at Shiloh on April 6, 1862, where he was wounded in the abdomen; he was engaged in the Siege of Vicksburg and during the battle at Jackson, Mississippi, on July 12, 1862, he was wounded by a musket ball "carrying away the index finger of right hand." On his pension application, he stated that after leaving service he had lived at McGregor, Iowa, except for two years in Farmersburg, Iowa. According to his death certificate, Allen Sparks died on April 26, 1907, from "old age" and was buried in the Oakland Cemetery. by his first wife, Martha Moore, Allen Sparks had four children:
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.1 Winfield Sparks, born 1852. He was living with his uncle, 1.2.5.10.11.1.6 Albert Cyrus Sparks, in Olmstead Co., Mimi., when the 1860 census was taken.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.2 Josephus Sparks, born 1854. He was living with his uncle, 1.2.5.10.11.1.7 Joseph Sparks, when the 1860 census was taken of Olmstead Co., MN
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.3 Benjamin Sparks, born 1856. He was living with his uncle, 1.2.5.10.11.1.6 Albert Cyrus Sparks, in Olmstead Co., MN, when the 1860 census was taken.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.4 Henry Sparks, born 1857.by his second wife, Sarah A. Woodward, Allen Sparks had four more children:
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.5 Estella Sparks, born July 1, 1863.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.6 James K. Sparks, born August 26, 1867.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.7 Edwin (or Edward) P. Sparks, born January 20, 1871.
1.2.5.10.11.1.2.8 Anna Sparks, born March 7, 1876.1.2.5.10.11.1.3 Barton Sparks was born ca. 1824. No further record.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4 James Harvey Sparks was born February 8, 1826. According to a biographical sketch of James Harvey Sparks in Jesse W. Weik's History of Putnam County, Indiana, published in 1910, James H. Sparks was 12 years old when the family moved to Putnam County from Lewis County, Kentucky. They settled near Mt. Meridian. When he was 18 years old, he went to Greencastle and learned the trade of blacksmith. When the 1850 census was taken he was listed as "Harvey Sparks" and was living in the family of Greenburg Lyon in Putnam County, Jefferson Township. He served in Company I, 143rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War. On February 27, 1851, he married Emily Jane Coffman, daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Coffman of Fountain Co., Ind. They were natives of Kentucky. According to Weik's history, John Coffman was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Gen. William Henry Harrison and was In the Battle of Morgantown on the River Thames. Emily Sparks died on February 7, 1902; James H. Sparks was still living in 1910. He was a member of the Christian Church and was a Mason. Their children:1.2.5.10.11.1.4.1 John William Sparks, living in Mansfield, Ind., in 1910.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.2 Charles P. Sparks, living in Cloverdale Twp., Putnam Co., md., in 1910.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.3 Allen Sparks, died November 18, 1901, of typhoid fever.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.4 Lee Sparks, died November 29, 1901, of typhoid fever.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.5 Herschel Sparks, died October 25, 1901.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.6 Arizona Sparks.
1.2.5.10.11.1.4.7 Elmer Sparks.1.2.5.10.11.1.5 Harriet Sparks was born ca. 1828. No further record.
1.2.5.10.11.1.6 Albert Cyrus Sparks, born January 8, 1830, died March 22, 1915. He married Sarah Jane Collins. A full record of Albert Cyrus Sparks and his family appeared in the Quarterly for December 1957, Whole No. 20, pp. 264-66.1.2.5.10.11.1.7 Joseph Sparks was born February 28, 1832. (This date, as well as those which follow, appears in his family Bible owned a few years ago by Sarah Amilda Parks Sparks.) He moved to Pleasant Grove, Olmsted County, MN, with his brother, Albert C. Sparks, and there married Sarah Amilda Parks on September 16, 1857. She was a daughter of Pleasant H. and Nancy Parks and was born March 19, 1839, in Danville, Hendricks Co., Lid. According to a descendant, Mrs. Harold L. Ridout, military records show that he enlisted in the Union Army on February 24, 1864, at Rochester, MN, and died aboard the ship J. S. Pringle on December 3, 1864. After his death, his widow Sarah married (second) Jabez B. Clemons, who was the administrator of Joseph's estate. Joseph and Sarah A. (Parks) Sparks were the parents of the following children as recorded in his family Bible:
1.2.5.10.11.1.7.1 Angeline Sparks, born September 11, 1858.
1.2.5.10.11.1.7.2 John Marion Sparks, born June 6, 1860, died February 24, 1940.
1.2.5.10.11.1.7.3 Nancy Elizabeth Sparks, born March 18, 1862.
1.2.5.10.11.1.7.4 Joseph William Sparks, born March 18, 1864. (He apparently died young, for there is no mention of him in the papers settling the estate of his father in 1866.)1.2.5.10.11.1.8 William Sparks was born ca. 1833. Although he was not listed with the family on the 1850 census of Clayton County, Iowa, he was listed as 18 years of age and living with his mother in Olmsted Co., Minnesota, when a special state census was taken there in 1857.
1.2.5.10.11.1.9 Rebecca Sparks was born ca. 1835. No further record.
1.2.5.10.11.1.10 Henry Sparks was born ca. 1837.No further record. Henry fought in the Civil War and his pension record is listed in the Quarterly, Whole No. 128.
1.2.5.10.11.1.11 Mary Sparks was born ca. 1839 and was living with her mother in 1857.
1.2.5.10.11.1.12 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1841. According to the 1850 census, she was born in Kentucky, but it is believed that this was an error and that she probably was born after the family moved to Indiana. According to a descendant of her brother, Albert C. Sparks, she married FNU Kirk and lived near New Sharon, Iowa.
1.2.5.10.11.1.13 John Sparks, born ca. 1845 in Indiana. He was living with the family of Allen and Alice Dice when the 1857 Minnesota census was taken of Olmsted County. He is known to have married and was living in Olmsted County as late as 1880.1.2.5.10.11.2 Harriet Sparks was born ca. 1805. She married Jesse Truesdale, Jr., on February 5, 1828, and moved to Cloverdale, Indiana, ca. 1850.
1.2.5.10.11.3 Katherine Sparks was born ca. 1807. She married Isaac Dickson in Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1824 - - license dated October 23, 1824.
1.2.5.10.11.4 William Sparks was born ca. 1810. He married Jane Truesdale on August 2, 1838. William Sparks lived in Lewis County, KY, until his death in 1886 at the age of 76. He was a farmer and boatbuilder at Vanceburg. Jane was born February 1, 1810, at Trinity, Kentucky, and died on March 24, 1846; she was buried in the Salem Cemetery in Lewis County. She was a daughter of Jesse Truesdale, Sr., and was a sister of Jesse Truesdale, Jr., who married Harriet Sparks. William and Jane (Truesdale) Sparks were the parents of:1.2.5.10.11.4.1 James Sparks, born ca. 1840.
1.2.5.10.11.4.2 Joseph Sparks, born September 14, 1844. The following appears in A History of the State of Kentucky published in 1888 by Perrin, Battle, and Kniffin: "Joseph A. Sparks fought on the Union side in Co. G, 10th Kentucky Cavalry. He was captured at Atlanta and imprisoned in the Andersonville prison for seven months. After mustering out, he taught school for two years in Vanceburg before being elected county clerk. He married in 1871 Mary O. Kingsbury of Ironton, Ohio, and they had two children,1.2.5.10.11.4.2.1 Charles A. Sparks, the elder now 14 (in 1888) only surviving.
Mrs. Sparks died in 1875 and Joseph A. Sparks married in 1886 Miss Lillie B. Ingrim. Mr. Sparks is a member of the firm of J. W. Sparks and Brother, dry goods dealer in Maysville. He is a Republican and a Mason."
1.2.5.10.11.5 Sidney Sparks, daughter of Joseph Sparks, was born ca. 1813. She married Henry Tolle, son of Stephen Tolle, in Lewis County, KY, in 1830, license dated July 17, 1830.
1.2.5.10.11.6 John Sparks, born ca. 1816. See the Quarterly, March 1999, Whole Number 185 for information regarding these last two sons.
1.2.5.10.11.7 Joseph Sparks, born ca. 1818.
Page 1319
Whole Number 70
1.2.5.10.6 GEORGE SPARKS
OF LEWIS AND NICHOLAS COUNTIES, KENTUCKY
1.2.5.10.6 George Sparks was born ca. 1764 and died prior to 1840, probably in Nicholas County, Kentucky. We now know he was the George Sparks who married Rachael McClenahan in Nicholas County, Kentucky, on April 18, 1805. He had married, first, Elizabeth Wells on June 14, 1790, in Bourbon County. It is quite possible that his widow was the female aged between 70 and 80 who was enumerated among the family of George Sparks on the 1840 census of Nicholas County; this latter 1.2.5.10.6.5 George Sparks is believed to have been a son of 1.2.5.10.6 George and Rachel (McClanahan) Sparks, (or Rachael McClenahan).
George Sparks paid taxes from 1787 to 1799 in Bourbon County, but apparently was in that portion of Bourbon County which became Fleming County in 1798 because he paid taxes in Fleming County from 1802 to 1804. He was in Lewis County from 1809 to 1817, but went to Nicholas County where he lived until his death prior to 1840.
George Sparks was an Ensign and then a Lieutenant in the Fleming County Regiments (Cornstalk Militia), first in the 30th Regiment and then in the 58th Regiment in 1803-04. According to census records, George Sparks had children as follows:
1.2.5.10.6.1 Dau1 Sparks born 1794-1800 (probably by an earlier marriage)
1.2.5.10.6.2 Dau2 Sparks born 1800-1810
1.2.5.10.6.3 Son1 Sparks born 1800-1810
1.2.5.10.6.4 Son2 Sparks born 1810-1820
1.2.5.10.6.5 Dau3 Sparks born 1810-1820
1.2.5.10.6.6 Son3 Sparks born 1810-1820
1.2.5.10.6.7 Son4 Sparks born 1810-1815
1.2.5.10.6.8 Son5 Sparks born 1815-1820
1.2.5.10.6.9 Dau4 Sparks born 1815-1820
1.2.5.10.6.10 Dau5 Sparks born 1820-1825Some descendants believe they can identify four of the ten children of George Sparks as
1.2.5.10.6.5 George Sparks, Jr.;
1.2.5.10.6.1 John Thornton Sparks;
1.2.5.10.6.6 Cytha Ann Sparks; and
1.2.5.10.6.8 William Sparks.More positive proof is needed to make this claim a certainty; however, in the hope that the publishing of these records will stimulate the uncovering of additional data, we are giving the records of these four persons as probable children of George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks:
[Note: We now know his children were:
1.2.5.10.6.1 John Thornton Sparks.
1.2.5.10.6.2 Mary Sparks.
1.2.5.10.6.3 James Sparks.
1.2.5.10.6.4 Otho Sparks.
1.2.5.10.6.5 George Sparks, Jr. , born ca. 1811
1.2.5.10.6.6 Cytha Ann Sparks, born ca. 1811.
1.2.5.10.6.7 Ellen ["Nellie"] Sparks.
1.2.5.10.6.8 William Sparks, born ca. 1812.
1.2.5.10.6.9 Charles Sparks.1.2.5.10.6.1 John Thornton Sparks, born ca. 1809; he married Elizabeth Launtz in Lewis County, Kentucky, on April 1, 1830. On the marriage bond that was dated March 7, 1830, John Sparks was identified as over 21 years of age and consent for the marriage of Elizabeth was given by Curtis Launtz. John Thornton Sparks was sometimes listed in official records as John Sparks and sometimes as Thornton Sparks. He died as a relatively young man in 1849 in Lewis County. Earlier, in 1834, he had signed the marriage bond of his sister, 1.2.5.10.6.6 Cytha Ann Sparks, when she married Jesse Nash. One of his nephews remembers him as "Uncle John Thornton"; this man also recalled an "Uncle William" Sparks and an aunt who married a Scott. Elizabeth (Launtz) Sparks was born ca. 1805 in Maryland; she was a daughter of Curtis Launtz and was living with her daughter, 1.2.5.10.6.1.4 Nancy Sarah (Sparks) Guthrie in Lewis County in 1880. John Thornton and Elizabeth (Launtz) Sparks had the following children:
1.2.5.10.6.1.1 Melville Sparks, born ca. 1830, married Sarah Agnes Robb.
1.2.5.10.6.1.2 David Curtiss Sparks, born ca. 1831.
1.2.5.10.6.1.3 Louisa Sparks, born ca. 1833, married William McElroy on March 6, 1866.
1.2.5.10.6.1.4 Nancy Sarah Sparks, born ca. 1835, married Thomas Guthrie.
1.2.5.10.6.1.5 Dau1 Sparks born ca. 1837.
1.2.5.10.6.1.6 Henry Sparks, born ca. 1838.
1.2.5.10.6.1.7 William Henry Sparks, born ca. 1840, married Josephine Holliday In 1866.
1.2.5.10.6.1.8 John Thornton Sparks, born ca. 1842, married Mary MNU.
1.2.5.10.6.1.9 Mary E. Sparks, born ca. 1845.
1.2.5.10.6.1.10 Elizabeth E. Sparks, born ca. 1848.Note: (There was another Thornton Sparks who was born ca. 1805 who married Martha Littlejohn in Mason County, Kentucky, in 1831 and was living in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1840.).
1.2.5.10.6.5 George Sparks, Jr., believed to have been a son of 1.2.5.10.6 George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks, was born ca. 1811 in Kentucky died at New Ross, Montgomery Co., Indiana, in 1884. He married (first) Catherine Stokes in Nicholas County, Kentucky, in 1836 or 1837 (the marriage bond was dated December 30, 1836); she was a daughter of Benjamin and Micha (Sparks) Stokes and she died ca. 1848. (Micha Sparks, mother of Catherine, was a daughter of John and Katharine (Waddell) Sparks of Nicholas County and was born ca. 1795.) Following the death of his first wife, Catherine, ca. 1848, George Sparks, Jr., married (second), Hannah Fishback, who was born between 1819 and 1823 (her age was given as 31 on the 1850 census and as 37 on the 1860 census). About 1852, George Sparks, Jr., moved with his family from Kentucky to Montgomery County, Indiana. According to census records, George Sparks, Jr., had the following children. It is believed that the first five were by his first wife, Catherine Stokes, and the last six were by his second wife, Hannah Fishback.
1.2.5.10.6.5.1 Melissa J. Sparks, born ca. 1838 in Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.6.5.2 Martha E. Sparks, born ca. 1840 in Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.6.5.3 Alvin Branch Sparks, born in Carlisle, Kentucky, ca. 1842, died August 12, 1910; he married Lucy Bowen.
1.2.5.10.6.5.4 William B. Sparks, born ca. 1844, in Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.6.5.5 Mary C. Sparks, born ca. 1848, in Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.6.5.6 John I. Sparks, born ca. 1849 in Kentucky.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7 Charles M. Sparks, born 1850 in Kentucky. He married Emma Fishback who was born in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, in 1852. Charles M. Sparks died at Advance, Boone Co., Indiana on November 3, 1919. Their children were:1.2.5.10.6.5.7.1 Nellie M. Sparks, married Charles M. Ray, of Advance, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2 Franklin Forrest Sparks, born August 7, 1882, at Advance, Indiana. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1911, in which year he married Helena Nelson, daughter of William and Lena (Donavan) Nelson. He was principal of Broadwater County High School in Townsend, Montana, in 1921. They had four children:1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.1 Dixie Sparks, born September 30, 1912;
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.2 Blanche Sparks, born October 1914;
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.3 Charles Sparks, born September 1915; and
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.4 Nancy Sparks, born December 1917.1.2.5.10.6.5.7.3 Lilith Sparks, married Frank Heady of Advance, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.4 Anna Gould Sparks, married Russell Wyncoop of Lebanon, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.5 Chester Sparks, lived in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.6 Maurice Sparks; died in infancy.1.2.5.10.5.7.8 Harriet Sparks, born ca. 1853 in Indiana.
1.2.5.10.5.7.9 David B. Sparks, born ca. 1855 in Indiana.
1.2.5.10.5.7.10 Ellen Rebecca Sparks, born ca. 1857 in Indiana.
1.2.5.10.5.7.11 Frances B. Sparks, born ca. 1861 in Indiana; married a FNU Conner, buried in Union Hill Cemetery.1.2.5.10.6.6 Cytha Ann Sparks, born ca. 1811 probably in Fleming County, Kentucky, believed to have been a daughter of George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks. She died in 1880 in Franklin County, Missouri. She married Jesse Nash on April 12, 1834, in Lewis County, Kentucky. he was born ca. 1813, son of James and Mary (Brackney) Nash who came to Kentucky from Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. He was a brother of Eli Nash who married 1.2.5.10.2.1.3 Catherine Sparks, daughter of 1.2.5.10.2.1 Caleb Sparks, in 1834. Jesse and Cytha Ann (Sparks) Nash had the following children:
1.2.5.10.6.6.1 William George Nash, born ca. 1835, married Jane Boyd and lived in Oklahoma and Texas.
1.2.5.10.6.6.2 Eliza Nash, born ca. 1837, married William Dunbar.
1.2.5.10.6.6.3 James Harrison Nash, died young.
1.2.5.10.6.6.4 Josephine Nash, died young.
1.2.5.10.6.6.5 John Thornton Nash, born ca. 1841, died in 1932 at Lyons, Kansas.
1.2.5.10.6.6.6 Jesse Nash, born ca. 1843, died in 1924 at Mansfield, IL.
1.2.5.10.6.6.7 Elizabeth Nash, died young.
1.2.5.10.6.6.8 Sarah Nash, born ca. 1847, married Henry Stahl, died in 1926 at Philmont, New York.
1.2.5.10.6.6.9 Theophilus Nash, born ca. 1849, died 1900 at Sterling, Kansas
1.2.5.10.6.6.10 Adolphus Nash, died young.
1.2.5.10.6.6.11 Mary Brackney Nash, married George Dexter, died in Lafayette, Indiana in 1875.1.2.5.10.6.8 William Sparks, born in 1812, believed to have been a son of George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks, married Siarina Gilbert on March 23, 1834, in Lewis County, Kentucky. She was a daughter of Elias and Catherine Gilbert. (Her name is given on records as Sidney, Syanna, Lyanna, Susanna, and Sian..) She was born ca. 1817 in Kentucky and died ca. 1905 in Douglas County, Missouri. William and Sianna (Gilbert) Sparks were the parents of the following children.
1.2.5.10.6.8.1 Mealinda Sparks, born ca. 1837, married James W. Perry in 1858.
1.2.5.10.6.8.2 Dau1 Sparks born ca. 1839.
1.2.5.10.6.8.3 William Henry Sparks, born ca. 1843.
1.2.5.10.6.8.4 George Sparks, born ca. 1845.
1.2.5.10.6.8.5 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1847, married FNU Bishop.
1.2.5.10.6.8.6 James Sparks, born ca. 1852, died September 1854.
1.2.5.10.6.8.7 Mary Sparks, born ca. 1853; married FNU Ward.
1.2.5.10.6.8.8 Louisa Sparks, born June 18, 1855; married FNU Howls.
1.2.5.10.6.8.9 Amanda Sparks, born January 20, 1859No information on the other children of George Sparks.
[Editor's Note: As can be seen from our many conjectures in the above article, major mysteries remain in our attempt to organize this family unit. We would be most pleased to hear from anyone having further information. In using the above records, we beg readers to retain our frequent use of such words as "probably," "perhaps," "possibly," etc., along with our question marks, and please retain our frequent use of "ca." meaning "about."Too often we are finding material from the Quarterly being copied (often without giving the source) into computer programs in which our careful distinction between documented facts and possible relationships is ignored.]
Pages 1334-1335
Whole Number 71
NOTES ON THE SPARKS FAMILIES OF LEWIS COUNTY, KENTUCKY
(Editor's Note: In the December 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 68, p. 1271, the December 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 68, pp. 1271-1275, and the December 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 68, pp. 1275-1279, we published a variety of records copied from official sources in Lewis County, Kentucky, pertaining to persons named Sparks. On the basis of those records, along with others supplied by descendants and found outside Lewis County, we began trying to tie members of these families together in the June 1970 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 70, pp. 1315-1321. Here we continue this attempt. Much remains to be done, and we realize that some of our conjectures may prove to be wrong, but we hope that by publishing what we have gathered it may prove helpful. We also hope that readers whose ancestry goes back to Lewis County will aid us in making these records more complete.)
90. WILLIAM SPARKS,
FROM LEWIS COUNTY, KY,
TO ANDREW COUNTY, MISSOURI
90. William Sparks was born ca. 1794 in Kentucky. He was married on August 8, 1815, in Fleming County, Kentucky, to Cordelia Donavan, who was also born ca. 1794 in Kentucky. by 1840 they were living in Lewis County, Kentucky. Sometime between 1850 and 1860, William Sparks moved with his family from Lewis County to Andrew County, Missouri, where he died between 1856 and 1860. His widow, Cordelia, was still living in 1860.
William Sparks served as a private in a company commanded by Captain Henry Ellis of the 16th Regiment of Kentucky Militia commanded by Col. Porter in the War of 1812. He made application for bounty land based on this service while still a resident of Lewis County on October 24, 1850. He gave his age at that time as 62 and stated that he had "volunteered at Millersburg in Bourbon County in the state of Kentucky on or about the 10th day of September, 1814, to serve for a period of six months." He was discharged at Fort Malden, Canada, on March 10, 1815. He added that "his discharge papers had been destroyed by fire when his mother's house had burned ca. 1826 in Nicholas County, Kentucky. Unfortunately, he did not mention his mother's name. In 1856 he stated that his mother's house had burned ca. 1822 rather that ca. 1826.
William Sparks was granted 80 acres of bounty land for his service in the War of 1812. Under a new law passed in 1856, he applied for additional land, but by this time he had moved to Andrew County, Missouri. In 1856, he again stated, as he had in 1850, that he was 62 years old. From census record data, it appears that he was more nearly correct regarding his age in 1856 than he had been in 1850. He was born, as stated above, ca. 1794. He signed his application in 1850 and again in 1856 by mark. His son, James H. Sparks, signed as a witness in 1856. His other witness in 1856 was William Stephens. William Sparks was granted an additional tract of 80 acres as a result of his second application. (See the Quarterly of September 1965, Whole No. 51, pp. 928-930, for a more detailed abstract of these applications.)
From records discovered thus far, it is believed that William and Cordelia (Donavan) Sparks were the parents of seven children:
90.1 A daughter, born ca. 1816; name unknown.
90.2 A son, born ca. 1818; name unknown.
90.3 Elizabeth Sparks was born ca. 1820. She married Michael Evans on April 19, 1838, by William L. Parker in Lewis County, Kentucky. We have no further information on Elizabeth except that a five-year-old boy named Moses Evans was living with William and Cordelia when the 1850 census was taken. When the 1860 census was taken in Andrew County, Missouri, this same Moses Evans (aged 15) was living with Edward Sparks, son of William and Cordelia. Perhaps Elizabeth died and her son, Moses Evans, was reared by her parents and her brother.
90.4 James Harvey Sparks was born ca. 1825, He was married in Lewis County, KY, to Pheba Davis in 1848 (license dated January 8, 1848), by 1850, when the census was taken in Lewis County, they had one child, Mary A. Sparks, aged one year. James Harvey Sparks accompanied his parents to Andrew County, Missouri, between 1850 and 1856. He and his family were listed on both the 1860 and the 1870 census of Andrew County. According to these census records, James Harvey and Pheba (Davis) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
90.4.1 Mary A. Sparks, born ca. 1849 in Kentucky.
90.4.2 William Sparks, born ca. 1851 in Kentucky.
90.4.3 Marie Sparks, born ca. 1855 in Missouri.
90.4.4 Lucy Sparks, born ca. 1857 in Missouri.
90.4.5 Alice Sparks, born in May 1860 in Missouri.
90.4.6 George Sparks, born ca. 1863 in Missouri.
90.4.7 Cordelia Sparks, born ca. 1868 in Missouri.90.5 William A. Sparks, Jr., was born in Kentucky ca. 1827. He married Mary Meenach in Lewis County, KY, in 1847 (marriage license dated January 8, 1847). She was called Polly on the marriage license and was identified as a daughter of Alexander Meenach. On the 1850 census of Lewis County, William A. and Mary (Meenach) Sparks were listed as the parents of two children, Julia A. Sparks, aged 3 years, and Cordelia Sparks, aged one year. Apparently William A. Sparks died (perhaps his wife died also) because in 1860 these two children were living with their uncle, 90.6 Edward Sparks, in Andrew County Missouri. These two children of William A. and Mary (Meenach) Sparks were:
90.5.1 Julia A. Sparks, born ca. 1847.
90.5.2 Cordelia F. Sparks, born ca. 1849, died in May 1879. She was married in 1869 in Andrew County, Missouri, to Capt. Samuel Blair Stafford as his second wife. He was born May 3, 1833, in Carroll County, Tennessee, and died on May 11, 1906, in Holt County, Missouri. Their children were:90.5.2.1 William Marion Stafford, born January 1870.
90.5.2.2 Thomas Mahlon Stafford, born ca. 1872.
90.5.2.3 Emma Jane Stafford, born August 8, 1873.
90.5.2.4 Elsie Stafford, born ca. 1875.
90.5.2.5 John S. Stafford, born July 11, 1877.90.6 Edward Sparks was born ca. 1830 in Kentucky. (His correct middle initial is uncertain; it was either F, J, or L.) On March 16, 1849, he married Sally Criswell in Lewis County, KY, by John Waddell. She was born ca. 1825 in Kentucky. When the 1850 census was taken, Edward and Sally were living with his parents and they had a daughter named Mellora who was six months old. Later census records would seem to indicate that this name was actually intended for Milton rather than Mellora, and that it was a son rather than a daughter. Sally apparently died, and by 1860 Edward Sparks had married Mary MNU, He accompanied his parents to Andrew County, Missouri, where he was still living as late as 1880. According to census records, Andrew Sparks had eight children. Those born between 1850 and 1860 may have been by either his first wife, Sally Criswell, or by his second wife, Mary MNU, since we do not know when Sally died; we can be sure that those born after 1860 were by his second wife, Mary.
90.6.1 Milton Sparks, born ca. 1850 in Kentucky, married Ann E. MNU, who was born ca. 1855 in Illinois. by 1860 they two children:
90.6.1.1 Hattie J. Sparks, born ca. 1879, and
90.6.1.2 William A. Sparks, born in May 1880.90.6.2 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1851, in Kentucky.
90.6.3 Phoebe Sparks, born ca. 1853, in Missouri.
90.6.4 Catherine Sparks, born ca. 1856, in Missouri.
90.6.5 Lucy Minerva Sparks, born ca. 1858, in Missouri.
90.6.6 Martha J. Sparks, born ca. 1861, in Missouri.
90.6.7 Anna Maria Sparks, born ca. 1864, in Missouri.
90.6.8 Charlotte M. Sparks, born ca. 1864, in Missouri.(One of the daughters of Edward Sparks apparently married FNU Williams and died after having three children. When the 1880 census was taken of Andrew County, Missouri, the following grandchildren were living with Edward Sparks:
90.6.x.1 Henrietta Williams, born ca. 1872;
90.6.x.2 Virginia B. Williams, born ca. 1874; and
90.6.x.3 Martha Williams, born ca. 1875.90.7 Sarah Sparks, believed to have been a daughter of William and Cordelia (Donavan) Sparks, was born ca. 1823.
Query - William A. Sparks (ca. 1794-ca. 1858)
Query - Parentage of Leonard Sparks (ca. 1822-ca. 1865)
Page 1336-1342
Whole No. 71
1.2.5.10.2.1 CALEB SPARKS
OF LEWIS AND NICHOLAS COUNTIES, KENTUCKY
1.2.5.10.2.1 Caleb Sparks was born ca. 1785 (actually - December 3, 1786) and died ca. 1835 in Lewis County, Kentucky. He married Rebecca Wilson, daughter of Ephraim Wilson, on October 19, 1805, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. When the 1880 census was taken, 1.2.5.10.2.1.2 Robert Thomas Sparks, son of Caleb and Rebecca, stated that his father (Caleb) had been born in Kentucky and that his mother (Rebecca) had been born in Pennsylvania. There is some reason to believe, however, that Caleb Sparks was born in Virginia. He paid taxes in Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1811 and 1812, but he apparently moved to Nicholas County, Kentucky, ca. 1813 where he was listed on the 1820 census. He apparently returned to Lewis County ca. 1828 and paid taxes there that year on land on Kinniconnick Creek. It was there that he gave his consent to the marriage of his daughter, Catherine Sparks, to Eli Nash in 1832. Our last record of his paying taxes in Lewis County was in 1835. When his daughter Elizabeth Sparks married William Arthurs in 1837; however, it was her mother, Rebecca Sparks, who gave consent, thus indicating that Caleb apparently died between 1835 and 1837.
It is believed that Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks had a large family of children, perhaps twelve in all, based on census records, but only seven can be identified by name from the records. According to family tradition, a number of these children eventually moved to Missouri.
See also, the Quarterly of June, 1980, Whole No. 111, p. 2240, the Quarterly of December, 1984, Whole No. 128, p. 2679 and the Quarterly, September, 1982, Whole No. 119.
Following is a record of the children of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks:
1.2.5.10.2.1.1 Son Sparks of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks was born ca. 1807; name not known.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2 Robert Thomas Sparks was born in 1808 in Kentucky; he died on March 19, 1889, in Hancock County, Illinois. In a number of records he was called Thomas Sparks. According to a granddaughter, Eula May Prince, who did research on the family in 1956, Robert Thomas Sparks married in the late 1820's and had a daughter who married FNU Riggs and lived in Lampasas, Texas. This first wife of Robert Thomas Sparks died and on April 22, 1830, he married Mary Ann Wallingford in Lewis County, Kentucky. She was a daughter of John Wallingford and was born ca. 1819 in Kentucky; she died on September 9,1860, in Hancock County, Illinois.
In 1848, Robert Thomas Sparks and his family moved from Lewis County, Kentucky, to Illinois; he was listed on the 1850 census of Henderson County, Illinois, but by 1851 he was living with his family in Dallas City, Hancock County, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. According to Mrs. Prince, "he was an ardent Republican and was one of the few pioneers who voted for both of the Harrisons. He was never so happy as when arguing politics." Robert Thomas and Mary Ann (Wallingford) Sparks were the parents of five children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.1 Catherine Sparks (called Kitty) was born November 9, 1831, in Kentucky ; she died on June 6, 1897, in Nauvoo, Illinois. She was married in 1848 to J. Noel Datin and they settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, the same year. Following is the obituary of Catherine (Sparks) Datin which appeared in a Nauvoo newspaper at the time of her death (this clipping was sent to the Association by Eula May Prince in 1956):
"Mrs. Catharine A. Datin, one of Hancock County's highly respected pioneers has passed away. At 6:30 o'clock Thursday morning, June 6 (1897), death came to close forever the eyes of a noble and true woman, one widely beloved and respected" Mrs. Catharine A. Datin, widow of the late J. Noel Datin, at one time mayor and prominent citizen of Nauvoo. The end was not unexpected, yet it came as a surprise to many acquaintances. Mrs. Datin had been confined to the house since last November. Up to that time she had been a woman of robust health and it was confidently expected that she would master this illness in due time. However, last Monday night she received a paralytic stroke which was the cause of her death. She passed peacefully away.
"The deceased's maiden name was Catharine Ann Sparks. She was born in Kentucky on November 9, 1831, making her age at the time of her death 75 years, 6 months and 27 days. She was married in 1848 to J. Noel Datin, and they came to Nauvoo in the same year. For many years they resided on a farm in Sonora Township, but moved into town about twenty-five years ago.
"Mrs. Datin is survived by eleven children, her husband and four children having preceded her in death. The children living are: Mrs. W. P. Powers, Iowa City, Iowa; Mrs. J. W. Breeden, Stuart, Iowa; Mr. Wm. Datin, Des Moines, Iowa; Mr. J. J. Datin, Inkster, N. Dakota; Mrs. George Heberer, Sonora township; D. D. Datin, Guthrie, Oklahoma; Mrs. James Pitt, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. G. W. Wyatt, Guthrie, Oklahoma; Mrs. M. S. Walther, Keytesville, Missouri.; Miss Anna Datin, George V. Datin, Nauvoo. There are thirty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
"The deceased belonged to that class of sturdy pioneers who helped blaze the trail for civilization and advancement. With her home was above everything else. Her family life was of unexampled happiness. She was of a bright and sunny disposition, of kind heart and generous impulses. She was possessed of an unceasing industry, an eye that saw only good in others., a spirit for light and trouth, a tongue that spoke ill of no one, and a mind forgetful of self and concerned for the welfare of others. Her life was as pure and blameless as it was useful. Her loss is deeply mourned, for she was a most estimable woman. The relatives have the sincere sympathy of the community in their sad loss. The funeral will take place from her late residence this afternoon at 2 o'clock."
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.2 Lucretia Sparks was born ca. 1834. She was listed on the 1850 census as 16 years old. No further record.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3 Sarah A. Sparks was born ca. 1842 in Kentucky; she was still living in 1925 (see the letter written by Ed Fee). She married Henry Gilbreth, who was born in 1835 and died in 1906. When the 1880 census was taken, her father, Robert Thomas Sparks, was living with them. Following is the obituary of Henry Gilbreth published in a Dallas City, Illinois, newspaper at the time of his death in February, 1906. From this it appears that he and his wife, Sarah, were separated at the time of his death:
"People were greatly surprised Tuesday morning on learning that Henry Gilbreth, for many years a respected citizen, had been found dead in the doorway of his home on Fifth street where he lived alone.... Henry Gilbreth was born near Galena, IL., in October, 1835, making him at the time of his death about seventy years and four months of age. He came to Dallas City before the war and in 1862 enlisted in Co. H, 78th Illinois Infantry and served three years. After being mustered out he returned to this city and had ever since made it his home. He was sexton of the city cemetery for a quarter of a century and also a member of Alien Post No. 621, G.A.R.
"He is survived by a wife living at Normal, IL., and nine children, five sons and four daughters, namely:
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.1 Margaret Gilbreth (Mrs. Jackson),
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.2 Alice Gilbreth (Mrs. Wm. Anderson) both residents of Oklahoma;
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.3 Clara Gilbreth, who died ca. ten years ago at Stratton, Nebraska;
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.4 Lucy Gilbreth (Mrs. Joe Bootes) of New York City;
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.5 William Gilbreth, Angels' Camp, California.;
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.6 Joseph Gilbreth, Carnan, IL;
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.7 Fred Gilbreth, a soldier in the U.S. Army, now stationed at Pekin (clipping torn at this point);
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.8 John Gilbreth, a student of the Northwestern University at Evanston, IL.; and
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.3.9 Benjamin Gilbreth, a soldier now stationed at Ft. Stevens, Oregon."After the remains were shrouded and coffined at Koll's undertaking place Wednesday evening they were taken to the city hall, where they remained until the hour of the funeral and were viewed by hundreds of our citizens who knew him so well. He was quiet, honest, industrious, and if he had an enemy in town we never heard of it. The funeral occurred from the M.E. church at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. J. B. King officiating. He was laid to rest in the city cemetery over which he had exercised a jealous care for twenty-five years."
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4 Ephraim Wilson Sparks was born November 8, 1846, in Rockford, Kentucky, and died on November 5, 1926, in Brady, Texas. He was married in 1878 in Voca, Texas, to Elizabeth Antoinette Scott; she was born July 5, 1851, at Lyons Station, Texas, and died on May 8, 1937, in Brady. Both are buried at Brady. According to an inscription scratched on the back of a faded tin-type photograph taken in 1865 (see page 1340), Ephraim Wilson Sparks enlisted in Company G, 58th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry on January 16, 1865, in Dallas City, Hancock County, Illinois, at the age of eighteen. An obituary of one of Ephraim's daughters written in 1955 states that Ephraim was a stone mason "and built many of the old chimneys in Brady. The family home originally was located on the square where Townsend's Ben Franklin Store stands now. But in the early days the cowboys became so wild, riding down Commerce Street, shooting, roping and pulling up the hitching posts, that Mr. Sparks decided it was time to move his family up on the hill, to get away from the rowdy cowboys and to be near his lime kiln. After the house was moved, however, Mrs. Sparks was afraid to let the children get away from the house for fear the Indians would get them."
Ephraim Wilson and Elizabeth A. (Scott) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.1 Robert T. Sparks, born July 12, 1882, in Brady, Texas," he married Edna Stowe on April 9, 1912; she was born April 25, 1892, and died August 9, 1946. They had two children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.1.1 Raymond T. Sparks, born January 9, 1913, was killed in World War II on July 14, 1945; and
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.1.2 Joe Bob Sparks, born August 19, 1918.1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.2 Edna Nafania Sparks, born February 10, 1885, in Brady, Texas, died March 4, 1955 in. Brady. She married Chesley James Walters on December 8, 1907, in Brady. He was born July 1, 1883, in Bosqueville, Texas. They had one daughter,
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.2.1 Eula May Walters, born September 27, 1908, in Menard, Texas. She was married twice and by her first husband she had one son,
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.2.1.1 Robert Eugene Wall, born March 23, 1933.
She married (second)Thomas Calvin Prince on June 4, 1935. He was born January 14, 1912, in Wellington, Texas. They had one son,
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.2.1.2 Jerry Lowell Prince, born April 16, 1937, in Brady, Texas.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.3 Anna Laura Sparks, married FNU Strickland of Brady.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.4 Charles F. Sparks.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.5 Ernest W. Sparks.
Ephraim Wilson Sparks, 1846-1926
A Union Soldier at the Age of Eighteen
A granddaughter of Ephraim Wilson Sparks, Mrs. Eula Mae Prince, deposited a letter with the Sparks Family Association in 1956 which had been written by a friend of Ephraim in 1925. Although the author of this letter, Ed Fee, is in no way related to the Sparks family, we believe it has enough historical interest to justify including it here.
"Dallas City, Ills.
4 February 1925
"Dear Old Yankee
"Just found out thro our friend Doctor Gay and glad to know your still living. As you and I are the only ones living out of our War bunch I was just saying the other day that if you was dead I would be the only one left but am glad to know you are still living. I am still feeling fine, have a good house and with my wife and one girl at home and I am about on easy street, but still quite a lot of work yet at my trade as a painter and paper hanger. It was only a year ago that I was working on the old Ed Mansforth place and up in the barn loft saw your name, E. W. Sparks, cut in one of the rafters. Do you remember when you did it?
"Well, Yank, the old timers is about all gone that was here when we was boys. There is some of the Gilbreths around here. Your sister Mrs. Gilbreth is in the Soldiers Home at Quincey. I sometimes see Ben but not often. Don't know where the rest of them are. I have 4 children, three married, one lives in Peoria, the boy and 2 girls lives in Dallas, one at home. I live in the east end of town, have a nice little house with 5 lots and nothing to worry about. Well Yank, if you get this letter and want to find out any thing, write me, I will be glad to tell you anything I can. Will close for this time and glad I have got track of you.
Yours, Ed Fee."
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.5 Rebecca Jane Sparks, daughter of Robert Thomas and Mary Ann (Wallingford) Sparks, was born ca. 1850 in Illinois; she died ca. 1930. She married FNU Walker and lived all of her life in Dallas City, Illinois. A letter which she wrote to a daughter of her brother Ephraim in 1928 has been preserved by Eula Mae Prince and reads as follows:
"Dallas City,
September 27, 1928.
"Dear Niece Edna:
"I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. The last we heard from my Brother (Ephraim) I think he had two children and I think one was named Laura. I have one sister living & have two dead ones. Mother died when your father and myself was small and none of our Mother's folks was near here. My all born in Kentucky, but myself, I Ills. and as our mother died when we small, so did not hear about her & never see any of them. name Walingford. father came from Kentucky. brothers settled Missouri had farms there. went to them years ago they were prosperous farmers. 4 one sister there, most have passed on. can't tell you how old your he Texas, 18 the Army gone year think maybe here two before Texas. always thought would get him, glad know lots friends. a good, honest boy. his picture. looks like father. Sometime will send some pictures taken while army? pension? say is an invalid, which am sorry hear. Sarah has been hospital four years. She sick walk nerves are bad shakes hardly write. no single granddaughter. thank for writing me sending those pictures. Hope soon. ask many if married. weather very cool today. This time. Good by. With Love All.
Aunt Jane Walker."
1.2.5.10.2.1.3 Catherine Sparks was born ca. 1811. She married Eli Harrison Nash on September 6, 1832, in Lewis County, Kentucky. He was born April 2, 1808, in Kentucky, and was the son of James and Mary (Brackney) Nash who came to Kentucky from Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. His brother, Jesse Nash, married 1.2.5.10.6.6 Cytha Ann Sparks in 1834 in Lewis County. Catherine (Sparks) Nash died ca. 1855; her husband, Eli, died in 1885 at the age of 77. According to the 1850 census, they had the following children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.1 Rebecca J. Nash, born ca. 1833.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.2 Mealinda Nash, bornca. 1834.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.3 Daniel Nash, born ca. 1836.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.4 Susan Nash, born ca. 1838; she married FNU Garrett.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.5 John Nash, born ca. 1839; he married Elizabeth Ireland.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.6 William Nash, born ca. 1840; he married Josephine Ireland.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.7 Thomas C. Nash, born ca. 1843.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.8 Charles Nash, born ca. 1846.
1.2.5.10.2.1.3.9 Caleb R. Nash, born ca. 1848.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4 Joseph Sparks, son of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks, was born March 10, 1813. He was married on August 18, 1834, to Isabella Ellis in Lewis County, KY. (According to the license, the guardian of Isabella Ellis was Joseph Sparks; this elder Joseph Sparks was probably the one whose sketch appears on page 1315 of the June 1970 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 70.) Joseph and Isabella (Ellis) Sparks were listed on the 1850 census of Lewis County, KY, but not on the 1860 census. According to the 1850 census, it would appear that they were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.1 Ephraim E. Sparks, born ca. 1835.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.2 John T. Sparks, born ca. 1839.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.3 Rebecca J. Sparks, born ca. 1841.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.4 Mary E. Sparks, born ca. 1843.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.5 Minta Sparks (daughter), born ca. 1845.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.6 Thomas Marshall Sparks, born ca. 1847.
1.2.5.10.2.1.4.7 Jemima Sparks, born ca. 1849.
1.2.5.10.2.1.5 Ephraim Sparks was born ca. 1815. He married Sallie A. Reiley in Lewis County, KY, on August 6, 1837. (Ephraim's father-in-law, Samuel J. Reiley, was his security for a marriage license and also gave his consent for his daughter, Sallie, she being under 21 years of age.) We have found no further record of this couple. They probably moved to Missouri.
1.2.5.10.2.1.6 Elizabeth Sparks was born ca. 1817. She was married in 1837 to William Arthurs. The license was issued on September 6, 1837. William Arthurs, according to the license, was a son of David Arthurs.
1.2.5.10.2.1.7 Sarah Sparks was born ca. 1819. She was married in Lewis County, KY, to James Moore, Jr., on April 16, 1839. He was a son of James Moore, Sr., who gave his consent to the marriage since his son was under 21. Rebecca Sparks gave consent for her daughter. According to the 1850 census, it would appear that Sarah Sparks and James Moore, Jr., were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.10.2.1.7.1 Alexander Moore, born ca. 1839.
1.2.5.10.2.1.7.2 Thomas G, Moore, born ca. 1843.
1.2.5.10.2.1.7.3 Ephraim Moore, born ca. 1845.
1.2.5.10.2.1.7.4 Joseph Moore, born ca. 1849.
1.2.5.10.2.1.8 A daughter, name not known, was born to Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks ca. 1821.
1.2.5.10.2.1.9 A son, name not known, was born ca. 1823.
1.2.5.10.2.1.10 A daughter, name not known, was born ca. 1825.
1.2.5.10.2.1.11 Caleb Sparks, son of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks, was born ca. 1827. He married Elizabeth Dickson in 1849 (license dated September 6, 1849). She was born ca. 1825. They were listed on the 1850 and 1860 census of Lewis County, KY. They apparently had only one child, 1.2.5.10.2.1.11.1 Dudley T. Sparks, born ca. 1850.
1.2.5.10.2.1.12 A daughter was born to Caleb and Rebecca Sparks ca. 1829, name unknown.
Pages 1352-1353
Whole Number 72
1.2.5.10.2.1.2 Robert Thomas Sparks, 1908-1889
In the September, 1970 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 71, we included a sketch of Robert Thomas Sparks, born 1808, died 1889, son of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks. Since that article appeared, a descendant, Mrs. Eula May Prince, has sent us a portrait of Robert Thomas Sparks which we have reproduced on the cover of this issue of the Quarterly. We have no clue regarding the date when this portrait was painted, although we can be sure that it was done after he moved his family from Kentucky to Iflinois in 1848.
Mrs. Prince, who has provided this picture of her great-grandfather, was mentioned on page 1339 of the September issue. There we gave her husband's name as Thomas Calvin Prince. We regret to report that Mr. Prince died on April 19, 1968. In that sketch we mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Prince had one son, Jerry Prince. We also mentioned Mrs. Prince's son by a previous marriage, but we gave his name as Robert Wall whereas his name is actually Ralph E. Wall.
 |
| JOHN THOMAS and MARY (POWELL) Sparks |
| 44th Wedding Anniversary - 1914 |
 |
| HUGH IRVING and MARY (CUNNINGHAM) SPARKS |
| with son HAROLD EUGENE SPARKS |
| 1914 |
The only son of 1.2.5.10.2.1.2 Robert Thomas Sparks was 1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4 Ephraim Wilson Sparks, born in 1846, died 1926. We published a picture of Ephraim on page 1340 of the September issue as a young Union soldier at the age of eighteen. Mrs. Prince has sent us photographs of Ephraim Wilson Sparks and his wife, Elizabeth A. (Scott) Sparks taken in their old age. These are reproduced in this issue on page 1353.
Since publishing data on Ephraim W. Sparks in the September issue, we have obtained papers from his Civil War pension file at the National Archives. From these we learn that he was mustered into service in Company G, 58th Regiment of Illinois Infantry on March 17, 1865, at the age of eighteen. He had blue eyes, auburn hair, a fair complexion, and was five feet and six and one-half inches tall. He was discharged on March 16, 1866, in Montgomery, Alabama. He married Elizabeth Antoinette Scott on August 25, 1878, in Brady, Texas. In answer to the question regarding his place of residence following the Civil War, he stated that he had lived in Dallas City, Illinois, until March 1873; he was in Columbus, Texas, from March to September 1873, and was in Bell County, Texas, in 1874 and 1875; he was in Liano County, Texas, in 1876; he lived in Brady, Texas, from 1876 to 1907 when he moved to Grady, Curry County, New Mexico, where he remained until sometime after 1915 when he returned to Brady, Texas. He died there on November 5, 1926. His wife died in Brady on May 8, 1937. When we published the sketch of his life in the September issue we did not have dates of birth for his three youngest children. From the records which he and later his wife submitted to obtain pensions, we are able to supply those dates. The children of Ephraim W. and Elizabeth A. (Scott) Sparks were:
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.1 Anna Laura Sparks, born December 1, 1879.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.2 Robert Thomas Sparks, born July 12, 1882.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.3 Edna Nafania Sparks, born February 10, 1885.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.4 Charles Francis Sparks, born June 20, 1886.
1.2.5.10.2.1.2.4.5 Ernest Wellington Sparks, born July 10, 1889.
Pages 1370
Whole Number 72
ADDED INFORMATION on 1.2.5.10.6.5 (formerly 86.4) GEORGE SPARKS, JR.,
BORN ca. 1811, DIED 1884
In the Quarterly of June 1970, Whole No. 70, p. 1320) we gave a sketch of 1.2.5.10.6.5 (formerly 86.4) George Sparks, Jr., born ca. 1811 in Kentucky, son of 1.2.5.10.6 George and Rachael (McClenahan) Sparks. From a book by Tom Stout entitled Montana, Its Story and Biography published in 1921 we have learned that George Sparks, Jr., died at New Ross, Montgomery Co., Indiana, in 1884. George Sparks,Jr., married twice. A son by his second wife, Hannah (Fishback) Sparks, was 1.2.5.10.6.5.7 Charles M. Sparks according to this history of Montana - - we gave his name as Charles B. Sparks in the Quarterly. Charles M. Sparks was born in 1850; he married Emma Fishback who was born in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, in 1852. Charles M. Sparks died at Advance, Boone Co., Indiana, on November 3, 1919. Their children were:
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.1 Nellie M. Sparks, married Charles M. Ray, of Advance, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2 Franklin Forrest Sparks, born August 7, 1882, at Advance, Indiana. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1911, in which year he married Helena Nelson, daughter of William and Lena (Donavan) Nelson. He was principal of Broadwater County High School in Townsend, Montana, in 1921. They had four children:1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.1 Dixie Sparks, born September 30, 1912;
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.2 Blanche Sparks, born October 1914;
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.3 Charles Sparks, born September 1915; and
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.2.4 Nancy Sparks, born December 1917.1.2.5.10.6.5.7.3 Lilith Sparks, married Frank Heady of Advance, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.4 Anna Gould Sparks, married Russell Wyncoop of Lebanon, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.5 Chester Sparks, lived in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1.2.5.10.6.5.7.6 Maurice Sparks; died in infancy.