June 16, 2023
Pages 3395-3423
Whole Number 146
DESCENDANTS OF 1.2.5.1.2.1.7 NELSON SPARKS (ca.1818-1874)
OF CARTER COUNTY, KENTUCKY
by Paul E. Sparks
(Editor's Note: In 1821, a number of families from the Surry-Wilkes Counties area of North Carolina joined relatives and friends from the Lee-Scott Counties area of Virginia and moved to Lawrence County, Kentucky. Among these families was that of 1.2.5.1.2.1 Levi Sparks of Wilkes County, North Carolina. He was accompanied by his five sons. Here we present the family of his son, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7 Nelson Sparks, and Nelson's descendants. For further background of this branch of the SPARKS family, see the December 1955 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 12. )
1.2.5.1.2.1.7 Nelson Sparks, son of 1.2.5.1.2.1 Levi and Sarah (Lyon) Sparks, was born ca. 1818 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and was only three years old when his parents moved to Lawrence County, Kentucky. There he grew to manhood, on the headwaters of Big Blaine Creek. On March 14, 1843, he married Margaret ["Peggy"] Mauk by Daniel Carroll, a minister of the Baptist Church. The wedding took place at the bride's home in Carter County, Kentucky.
Peggy (Mauk) Sparks was born June 8, 1820, in Virginia and was a daughter of Peter and Eleanor ["Nellie" ] (Sparks) Mauk, natives of North Carolina. (See her photograph on the cover of the present issue of the Quarterly.)
1.2.1.2.1.8.3 Nellie Sparks, mother of Peggy Mauk, was a daughter of 1.2.1.2.1.8 Thomas and Rebecca Sparks. She was born February 5, 1791, in Scott County, Virginia. Thomas Sparks, father of Nellie, was a son of 1.2.1.2.1 William and Ann Sparks, natives of Maryland, who moved to North Carolina ca. 1765.
Nelson and Peggy Sparks settled down to housekeeping on the Caney Fork of the Little Sandy River, but about a year later they moved to Big Gimlet Creek where Nelson bought 314 acres of land on September 12, 1845, from his fatherin-law, Peter Mauk. He bought another tract of land on December 21, 1847, from William Thomas. On July 12, 1856, Nelson and Peggy sold 200 acres of land to her brother, Frederick Mauk.
The outbreak of the Civil War tore the Levi Sparks family apart, as it did many other families in Kentucky. On October 22, 1861, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7 Nelson Sparks and his 17-year-old son, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1 Peter Sparks, went to the town of Grayson where they both enlisted in Company H of the 22nd Regiment Kentucky Infantry of the Union Army. Three days later, Nelson's brother, 1.2.5.1.2.1.8 John L. Sparks, traveled to Prestonsburg, Kentucky, where he enlisted in Company S of the 5th Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry of the Confederate States Army. The bitter feelings these actions created endured long after the war ended. (See the present issue of the Quarterly, page 3426 for an abstract of the principal papers in the file at the National Archives for a U.S. pension by Nelson Sparks's widow.)
Nelson Sparks served in the Union Army until May 18, 1864, when he received a Certificate of Discharge at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He returned to his home on Big Gimlet Creek and was listed with his family on the first census of newly formed Elliott County when it was taken in June 1870. He was appointed one of the first justices of the peace for the new county on May 25, 1869.
On October 11, 1874, Nelson Sparks and his 12-year-old son, George W., went to the town of Olive Hill on business. There he met an old friend, Calvin Scott, and they had several drinks together at a livery stable where Nelson's horses were fed. For some reason which will probably never be known, Scott shot Nelson Sparks fatally during their visit. It is said that as soon as he pulled the trigger, he exclaimed, "I've shot my best friend!" George drove the team, with his dead father lying in the wagon bed, back to Elliott County where Nelson was buried in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery.
Peggy (Mauk) Sparks was left with several small children, but she kept them together. The older children rallied around her, and in 1890 she applied for a Widow's Pension based on her husband's military service. She received the pension until her death, which occurred on January 14, 1897. She was buried beside her husband in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery. She and Nelson had ten children, nine of whom reached maturity.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1 Peter P. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2 Perlina A. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3 John Elliott Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.4 Sarah Margaret Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5 Leander C. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6 Frederick Mauk Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.7 Levi C. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.8 Louisa Jane Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.9 Martha F. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.10 George W. Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1 Peter P. Sparks was born in 1844 in Carter County, Kentucky. He was undoubtedly named for his maternal grandfather, Peter Mauk. As indicated above, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War and received a pension for his service. (See page 3433 of the present issue of the Quarterly for an abstract of the principal papers in his pension file at the National Archives.)
After he returned from the service, Peter Sparks married Julia E. Cox in Carter County. The license was issued on December 19, 1865, and they were married on December 21, 1865 by Joseph Mauk, a justice of the peace. Julia was born October 25, 1846, in Virginia, and was a daughter of Mark P. and Sarah (Reynolds) Cox.
Peter Sparks never fully regained his normal health after his service in the Union Army, and he died on August 20, 1882. He was only 38 years of age, and he left Julia with a household of small children. She gave birth to their seventh child the following December Peter was buried in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery. Julia survived him for more than forty years, dying on April 21, 1926. She, too, was buried in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery. She and Peter had seven children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1 Lucretia J. Sparks was born on October 31, 1866. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to Mark Dean by whom she had two children. Her second marriage was to John Hardy.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1.1 Pearlie Dean was born in December 1882. She married Charles Lewis. They had at least three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1.1.1 Mary Magdalene ["Maggie"] Lewis,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1.1.2 Mae Lewis, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1.1.3 Edward ["Red"] Lewis.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.1.2 Mary Lee Dean was born in May 1892. She married Reason Gable Mauk.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.2 Mary E. Sparks was born May 24, 1869.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3 James Benton Sparks (he was called Benton) was born July 22, 1871. He married Amanda Kegley on May 20, 1890, in Elliott County. She was born January 24, 1871, and she died on September 26, 1954. Benton died on April 13, 1940. When the 1900 census was taken of Elliott County, they were shown with four children; there may have been others born to them after 1900.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.1 Aurilda Sparks was born September 9, 1891. She married (first) Tim Skaggs, and they had two children whose names we have not learned. She married (second) Jehu Collins.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.2 Tola Sparks was born November 20, 1893. She married William Barker, a son of Millard and 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1 Ida Ellen (Sparks) Barker, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.2.1 William Barker and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.2.2 Merrill Barker. (See below.)1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3 John William ["Willie"] Sparks was born December 30, 1897. He married Ida Carroll, and they had six children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.1 Peter Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.2 Glenn Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.3 Esther Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.4 Ella Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.5 Helen Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.3.6 Gay Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.4 Ulysses Wise [ "Lys" ] Sparks was born May 31, 1899. He married 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.1 Jessie Sparks, a daughter of 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5 Joel and Dora (Bear) Sparks, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.4.1 Dorsey Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.4.2 Glendell Sparks. (See below.)1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4 Sarah Linnie Sparks was born November 9, 1874. She married Ephraim Rose. She died on February 9, 1913. They had the following children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.1 Minnie Electoria ["Tory"] Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.2 Earl Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.3 Emma Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.4 Vida Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.5 Adrian Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.6 Ivan Rose, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.4.7 Wales Rose.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.5 William H. Sparks was born March 2, 1877. He married Florence Kinster on February 4, 1900, in Elliott County. He died on March 12, 1904, and was buried in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery. He and Florence had a daughter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.5.1 Nolda Sparks, who was born November 8, 1903, and died on December 12, 1906.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.6 Amanda E. Sparks was born September 22, 1879. She married Alfred Rose.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.7 Melvin P. Sparks was born December 23, 1882. He died on June 12, 1887, and was buried in the Mauk Ridge Cemetery.
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| JARRET C. AND PERLINA A. (SPARKS) LYONS |
| (Photograph probably taken ca. 1900) |
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2 Perlina A. Sparks was born in August 1845, probably in Lawrence County, just a month before his father bought land on Big Gimlet Creek in Carter County. She married Jarret Corbin Lyons on September 9, 1869, at the home of her parents. Jarret and Perlina's uncle, John L. Sparks, had served in the same military unit of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Jarret was born in February 1838 in Lawrence County and was a son of Jesse and Polly (Wellman) Lyons. Perlina died in 1910 and was buried in the Clark Cemetery in Elliott County. Jarret died in 1913 and was buried beside her. They had three children. In addition, Jarret and Perlina reared her niece, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5 Margaret Sparks, daughter of 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5 Leander Sparks. (See below.)
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.1 George Elmon Lyons was born October 15, 1870. He died on February 29, 1952. He married Lucinda Cox. She was born May 19, 1863, and died on January 1, 1968. They were buried in the Clark Cemetery in Elliott County. They had two children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.1.1 Edna Lyons was born June 5, 1909. She never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.1.2 Grace Lyons was born May 25, 1918. She married Ernest Rose.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2 Amanda Lyons was born December 11, 1872. She married Allen Samuel Clark, ca. 1892. He was born on December 19, 1871. He and Amanda had eight children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.1 Tennessee Clark was born November 10, 1893, in Elliott County. She married (first) to John Conn. They had no children. She married (second) Lewis Prichard.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.2 Ora Clark was born December 23, 1895. He married Clara Prichard.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.3 James Patrick Clark was born October 26, 1897. He never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.4 Lula Clark was born March 30, 1900. She married Frank Bounk. They had one child, Mary Sue Bounk.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.5 Edna Clark was born April 7, 1903. She married Rax Conley.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.6 Menifee Clark was born September 8, 1910. She married Chester Tilsley and they had a son,1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.6.1 Samuel Tilsley.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.7 Ralph Clark was born March 10, 1915.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.2.8 Alene Clark was born September 30, 1920, in Carter County. She married FNU Rex and they had a son whose name we have not learned.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.2.3 Fleming Lanford ["Lan"] Lyons was born ca. 1875. He died in December 1954 in Montana.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3 John Elliott Sparks was born June 22, 1847, in Carter County. He was about 5 feet, 6 inches tall; he weighed about 175 pounds; and he had brown hair and eyes. During his lifetime, he was a school teacher, a surveyor, and a farmer. He was a Republican in politics and was elected as a justice of the peace in Elliott County. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
According to the family Bible (now in the possession of a granddaughter, Blanche Holmberg), John Elliott Sparks married Elizabeth [ "Lizzie" ] Boggs on March 18, 1873, at the home of her parents in Elliott County. She was born December 1, 1852, in Carter County and was a daughter of Hugh and Louisa (Whitt) Boggs, natives of Virginia. Witnesses to the marriage were Leander C. Sparks and Dock Boggs.
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| ELIZABETH ["LIZZIE"] (BOGGS) SPARKS |
John Elliott Sparks died on February 17, 1910. Lizzie, his wife, died on May 22, 1944. They were buried in the Sparks Cemetery on Big Gimlet Creek. They had nine children, including an unnamed son who lived only three days.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1 Ida Ellen Sparks was born December 14, 1873, in Elliott County. She married Millard Barker there on August 8, 1892. He was born in 1869 in Kentucky. Ida died on January 2, 1924, and Millard died in 1951. They had eight children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.1 Bertha Barker was born November 2, 1893. She married Charles Debord and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.1.1 Leona Debord,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.1.2 Ray Debord, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.1.3 Alton Debord.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.2 William Barker was born February 12, 1895. He married 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.2 Tola Sparks, daughter of 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3 Benton Sparks, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.2.1 William Barker and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.2.2 Merrill Barker. (See above.)1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.3 Della Barker was born September 25, 1896. She married Walter Holbrook, and they had a family, but we have not learned the names of their children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.4 Emory Everett Barker was born October 4, 1898. He died on March 3, 1983. He married Dora Grizzell, and they had two children:1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.4.1 Harold Barker and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.4.2 Pauline Barker.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5 Edward Barker was born May 3, 1901. He married Mary Lee Whitt, daughter of Christopher and Belle (Mauk) Whitt, and they had five children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5.1 Donald Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5.2 Ila Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5.3 Vernon Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5.4 Dixie Barker, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.5.5 Alma Barker.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6 J. Haskel Barker lived at Crestline, Ohio. He married Dovie Rowe, and they had five children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6.1 Wilma Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6.2 Arlene Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6.3 June Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6.4 Mavis Barker, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.6.5 Eugene Barker.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.7 Eva Barker married FNU Barker, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.1.7.1 Pauline Barker.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.2 An unnamed son was born to John Elliott and Lizzie (Boggs) Sparks on May 9, 1876, and lived only three days.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.3 Lavisa Sparks was born August 29, 1877. She died when she was quite young.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4 Lillie Margaret Sparks was born January 18, 1880. She married Richard M. Holbrook on October 14, 1897, in Elliott County. He was born June 29, 1877, and was a son of James and Cynthia (Waugh) Holbrook. He died on November 3, 1949, and Lillie died on March 15, 1972. They were buried in the Richard Holbrook Cemetery in Elliott County. They had thirteen children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.1 James Ora Holbrook was born December 15, 1898. He died on February 12, 1964. He married Ruth Cox and they had no children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.2 Cynthia Holbrook was born ca. 1900. She died when quite young.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.3 Lan Holbrook was born June 11, 1901. He married Myrtle Fields, and they had two children:1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.3.1 Richard Holbrook and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.3.2 Catherine Holbrook.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.4 An unnamed son was born on December 23, 1903, and died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5 Goldie Holbrook was born December 1, 1904. She married (first) Robert Mabry and they had five children. She married (second) Kay Adams(?). Goldie died on November 11, 1975.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5.1 Edith Mabry,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5.2 Robert Mabry,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5.3 Newton Mabry,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5.4 Arvil Mabry, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.5.5 Mary Mabry.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6 Gladys Holbrook was born ca. 1906. She married Bruce Rose, and they lived at Olive Hill, Kentucky. They had eight children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.1 Elma Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.2 Talmadge Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.3 James Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.4 Jeff Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.5 Jesse Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.6 John Rose,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.7 Larry Rose, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.6.8 Bruce Rose, Jr.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.7 Clarence Holbrook was born June 2, 1907, at Stark, Kentucky. He married Matilda Lawson, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.7.1 Jewel Holbrook,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.7.2 Arnold Holbrook, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.7.3 William Holbrook.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.8 Elizabeth ["Lizzie"] Holbrook was born ca. 1908. She married Robert Johnson, and they lived at Olive Hill. They had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.8.1 Ella Holbrook,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.8.2 Dixie Holbrook, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.8.3 Pauline Holbrook.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.9 Hattie Holbrook was born ca. 1910. She married (first) Gene Triplett and (second) FNU Easterling.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.10 Julia Holbrook was born ca. 1912. She married Ezra Midkiff, and they lived at Man, West Virginia, where they reared a family. We have not learned the names of any of their children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.11 Lowell Holbrook was born ca. 1913. He lived at Olive Hill. He married Jewel Boggs, and they had three children:1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.11.1 Donna Holbrook,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.11.2 Jo Ann Holbrook, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.11.3 Mary Holbrook.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.12 Elliott Holbrook was born in 1914. He married Edna Skaggs on November 18, 1937, in Elliott County. They had a family, but we have learned no names.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.4.13 Ray Holbrook was born ca. 1915. He married Ruthie Lyons, and they had a family, but we have learned none of the names of their children.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5 Joel Winfield Sparks, son of John Elliott and Lizzie (Boggs) Sparks, was born on August 6, 1882, in Elliott County. He married Dora Bear in Carter County on February 9, 1903. According to the marriage record, he was 20 years old, and his father was J. E. Sparks and his mother was Elizabeth Boggs. Dora was 18 years old and her mother was Rebecca Bear. The witness was Millard Sparks. Winfield (as he was called) died on August 15, 1928. He and Dora had seven children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.1 Jessie Sparks was born ca. 1904. She married 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3.4 Ulysses ["Lys"] Sparks, a son of 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.1.3 Benton and Amanda (Kegley) Sparks, and they had two children,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.1.1 Dorsey Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.1.2 Glendell Sparks. (See above.)1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.2 Willard Sparks married Betty Lou Johnson, and they had two sons whose names we have not learned.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.3 Gracie Sparks married Grose Wilson, and they had a large family, but we have not learned any of their children's names.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.4 Kenneth Sparks married Geneva Reynolds, and they lived in West Virginia.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.5 Dellas Sparks married Zella McDowell, and they lived in Ohio.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.6 Glenn Sparks is said to have married and to have had a family, but we have learned nothing more about him.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.5.7 Earl Sparks married Fay Johnson, and they lived in West Virginia where they are said to have reared three children. We have no further information.
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| CHILDREN of JOHN ELLIOTT & LIZZIE (BOGGS) SPARKS |
| L-R: Winfield Sparks, Lula Sparks, Millard Sparks, Minta Sparks, and Ballard Sparks |
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6 David Ballard Sparks, son of John Elliott and Lizzie (Boggs) Sparks, was born January 2, 1885, in Elliott County. He married Tina Nickles on September 23, 1911. She was born September 6, 1890, and was a daughter of James and Mary Virginia (Rose) Nickles. Ballard (as he was called) was a farmer. He died on October 14, 1935. Tina survived him for over forty years, dying on January 30, 1978. She and Ballard had eight children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1 Chester Sparks was born April 20, 1912, at Gimlet, Kentucky. He was a foreman on the Norfork & Western Railway. He married Virgie Carroll on February 24, 1932. She was born ca. 1914 and was a daughter of Logan and Lillie (Holbrook) Carroll. She died in 1956. Chester died on January 13, 1988. They had ten children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.1 Otis Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.2 Earl Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.3 Lester Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.4 Allene Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.5 Mary Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.6 Susie Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.7 Debra Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.8 Dorothy Sparks
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.9 Bethel Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.1.10 Arthur Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.2 Stirl Sparks was born November 9, 1913. On May 7, 1937, he married Grace E. Wilson. She was born December 13, 1911, and was a daughter of Joseph and Hattie May (Wilburn) Wilson. She and Stirl have one child, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3.1 Omer Sparks.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3 Blanche Sparks was born February 1, 1916. She married Beecher Skaggs on Christmas Eve, 1931. He was born October 5, 1910, and was a son of John and Sarah (Cox) Skaggs. He and Blanche had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3.1 Harold Skaggs,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3.2 John Skaggs,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3.3 Emojean Skaggs, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.3.4 Dorothy Skaggs.Blanche married (second) Carl Holmberg. She has been invaluable in supplying information about her branch of the family and has furnished several of the photographs appearing in this issue of the Quarterly.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.4 Arlie Sparks was born 6 February 1919. He married Juanita Bear, a daughter of Stirl and Gladys (Carroll) Bear. Arlie and Juanita lived in Marlette, Michigan. He worked for the Ford Motor Company. He and Juanita had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.4.1 Caroline Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.4.2 Connie Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5 Hazel Sparks was born October 21, 1921. She married Wiley Phillips, a son of Stanton Phillips, in January 1942. They had seven children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.1 Eva Phillips,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.2 Collin Phillips,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.3 Gary Phillips,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.4 Pamela Phillips,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.5 Lois Phillips,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.6 Michael Phillips, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.5.7 Branda Phillips.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.6 Winford Sparks was born August 22, 1924, in Elliott County. He married Pearl Thompson ca. 1951. She was a daughter of William and Goldie (Harper) Thompson. Winford and Pearl had one child, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.6.1 Peggy Ann Sparks.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.7 Opal Sparks was born March 27, 1927. She married Hobert Rice, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.7.1 Duane Rice,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.7.2 David Rice, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.7.3 Linda Rice.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.8 Estill Sparks was born January 16, 1930. He worked for a meatpacking company. He married Arlene Cox. She was born December 23, 1927, and was a daughter of Ross and Laura (Catron) Cox. Estill and Arlene had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.8.1 Robert Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.8.2 Laura Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.6.8.3 Nancy Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7 Millard Franklin Sparks was born on August 28, 1887. He worked in the firebrick plant at Olive Hill. He married Lula Leedy, ca. 1912. She was born January 16, 1888, and was a daughter of John and Nancy (Harper) Leedy. She died on November 19, 1973, and Millard died on July 16, 1980. They had five children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.1 Luther Sparks was born January 28, 1913. He became a minister. He married Lola Stevens, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.1.1 Bonnie Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.1.2 Stephen Wayne Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.2 Denver Sparks was born ca. 1915. She married Garold Armstrong, and they lived in Mansfield, Ohio. They had at least one child, but we have no further information about them.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.3 John R. Sparks was born ca. 1917. He married Varna May MNU and they lived in Germantown, Ohio. We have not learned the names of their two sons.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.4 Nina Sparks was born March 6, 1920. She was killed in an automobile accident on May 25, 1937.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7.5 Gene Edsil Sparks was born September 22, 1927. He served in the Navy during World War II. He worked for a manufacturing company in Mansfield, Ohio. He married Avanelle Stamper. He was a member of the First Wesleyan Church. He died on February 13, 1972, and was buried in the Sparks Cemetery on Tick Ridge in Carter County.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8 Minta F. Sparks was born on December 20, 1889, in Elliott County. She married Charlie Mauk, and they lived at Olive Hill, Kentucky. Charlie was a son of Dink Mauk. He and Minta had six children, including an unnamed son who died at birth. Minta died on November 17, 1972.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.1 An unnamed son was born August 2, 1911, and died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.2 Garnet Mauk was born ca. 1912. She married Sidney Hardin, and they lived at Huntington, West Virginia. They had two children:Twalia Hardin and Sidney Hardin, Jr.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.3 Edward Mauk married Nina Boggs, and they lived at Olive Hill.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.4 Ruby Mauk married Woodrow Steele, and they lived at Olive Hill. They had two daughters: Donna Jean Steele and Dolores Ann Steele.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.5 Troy Mauk married Roberta Bowling, and they lived at Hicksville, Ohio. They had at least two children, but we have not learned their names.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6 Manuel Mauk lived in Pine Ridge, Arkansas.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.39. Lula Myrtle Sparks, daughter of John Elliott and Lizzie (Boggs) Sparks, was born June 6, 1892. She died on June 17, 1941. She never married.
 |
| LULA MYRTLE SPARKS |
| (1892-1941) |
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.4 Sarah Margaret Sparks was born on May 8, 1849, in Carter County. She married George W. Bair, ca. 1875. He was born ca. 1851 in Kentucky. When the 1880 census was taken of Elliott County, they were living on Mauk Ridge. Also living in their household was a 12-year-old boy named James F. Sparks, whom we have been unable to identify. Sarah and George Bair had no children, but they reared a niece of Sarah, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8 Ida Sparks, daughter of Leander and Susan (Holbrook) Sparks. (See below.)
 |
| LEANDER C. ["BRUD"] SPARKS |
| (ca.1851-1919) |
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5 Leander C. ["Brud"] Sparks was born ca. 1851 in Carter County. He died on July 17, 1919, in Arkansas. He apparently married three times. His first marriage was to Minerva Jane Binion, ca. 1874. She was born ca. 1857 and was a daughter of Rebecca Binion. Brud and Minerva had three children before her death, which apparently occurred ca. 1881. Children of Leander C. [ "Brud" ] Sparks:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.1 William Frank Sparks (he was called Frank) was born January 5, 1875. He was married four times. His first marriage was to Rebecca J. Binion on April 14, 1896, in Elliott County. She was born in December 1876. She apparently died ca. 1902, probably in Carter County. They had no children.
After the death of Rebecca, Frank Sparks married (second) Sydnia Collins in Carter County on June 11, 1903. According to the marriage record, he was then aged 28; he was born in Elliott County; his father was L. C. Sparks and his mother was Mervy Jane Binion. Sydnia was 20 years old; she was born in Greenup County; her father was Frank Collins and her mother was Louisa Swim. Sydnia and Frank had no children.
Frank Sparks married, (third) Anna Hitt, and they were divorced within a short period of time. His fourth marriage was to Nellie MNU by whom he had two children, a daughter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.1.1 Edna Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.1.2 Son Sparks.Frank Sparks, son of Leander C. [ "Brud" ] and Minerva Jane (Binion) Sparks, died ca. 1927 in West Virginia, probably near Gauley Bridge. He was a coal miner and was badly crippled in a mining accident.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.1 FRANK & NELLIE SPARKS
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2 THOMAS CHARLES SPARKS (1877-1947)
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2 Thomas Charles Sparks, son of Leander C. ["Brud"] and Minerva Jane (Binion) Sparks, was born August 26, 1877, in Greenup County. He went to Michigan when he was a young man and worked in the timber industry. It was there that he met and married Josephine R. Magee in Charlevoix County. They were married on April 21, 1905. She was born in Charlevoix County on April 22, 1879, and was a daughter of Emerald and Clara M. (Day) Magee. Thomas Sparks died in September 1947 at Boyne Hills, Michigan, and Josephine died in March 1968. They had nine children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1 Eva M. Sparks was born November 19, 1905, in Charlevoix County, Michigan. She married Alfred Gillespie in Kent County, Michigan, on October 8, 1923. He was born February 17, 1901, in Greenup County, Kentucky, and was a son of William and Irene (McWhorters) Gillespie. He died in 1967. Eva Gillespie has been most helpful in furnishing information about her Sparkses and has shared the photographs of her family. She and Alfred had six children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.1 Alfred Gillespie, Jr.;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.2 Robert Gillespie;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.3 Donna Gillespie;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.4 Shirley Gillespie;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.5 Joyce Gillespie; and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.1.6 Earl Gillespie.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.2 Lloyd C. Sparks was born September 8, 1909. He married Kizzie M. Guthrie in 1927, and they had one child, 1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.2.1 Betty Jean Sparks.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.3 Thomas D. Sparks was born October 6, 1910. He died on August 8, 1987. He married Helen Stanhope, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.3.1 Carol Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.3.2 Darlene Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.3.3 Thomas Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.4 Olive M. Sparks was born May 17, 1916. She was married three times. Her first marriage was to Samuel Haner by whom she had three sons:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.4.1 Richard Haner,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.4.2 Robert Haner, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.4.3 Lloyd Haner.She married (second) Ralph Ahls, and they had a daughter:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.4.4 Karen Ahls.
Her third marriage was to Michael Skubak.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5 William F. Sparks was born November 3, 1920. He married (first) Emma Baker in 1939, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.1 William Sparks, Jr.;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.2 Lloyd Sparks; and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.3 Patricia Sparks.William married (second) Bernadette Rondrel in 1969, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.4 Collette Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.5 Cheryl Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.5.6 Stephen Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6 Venetta J. Sparks was born June 12, 1922. She married Raymond Ecker on June 18, 1938, and they had eight children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.1 Linda Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.2 Lenore Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.3 Brenda Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.4 Allison Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.5 Leroy Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.6 Warren Ecker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.7 David Ecker, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.6.8 Gary Ecker.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.7 Opal R. Sparks was born August 11, 1924. She married Woodrow Henderson on August 20, 1940, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.7.1 Ronald Henderson and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.7.2 Thomas Henderson.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8 Elaine C. Sparks was born February 12, 1926. She married Ben Richardson on June 14, 1947, and they had five children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8.1 Jerry Richardson,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8.2 Barbara Richardson,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8.3 Mary Richardson,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8.4 Nancy Richardson, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.8.5 Laurie Richardson.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9 Alice Arlene Sparks was born August 23, 1928. She married Clarence Frederick, and they had five children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9.1 Paul Frederick,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9.2 Terry Frederick,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9.3 Roger Frederick,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9.4 Edward Frederick, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.2.9.5 Kathy Frederick.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.3 Rose B. Sparks was born in October 1879. We have learned nothing further about her.
After the death of his first wife, Minerva Jane, "Brud" Sparks married (second) Clarinda Sparks, a distant relative, on July 19, 1883, in Elliott County. She was born January 23, 1864, and was a daughter of Thomas and Dianna (Sparks) Sparks. "Brud" and Clarinda had two daughters before they separated and were divorced.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.4 Jane Sparks was born ca. 1884. She married Willis Skaggs.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5 Margaret Sparks was born ca. 1886, and after her parents separated, she went to live with her aunt, Perlina (Sparks) Lyons, and took the name of Margaret Lyons. (See above.) Margaret married John Barker, and they had eight children according to relatives. We have learned the names of only four of them:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5.1 Margaret [ "Maggie" ] Barker who married William Harper;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5.2 Orill Barker (a daughter);
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5.3 Edna Barker; and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.5.4 John D. Barker.The third marriage of "Brud" Sparks was to Susan Holbrook on August 1, 1889, in Elliott County. He died on July 17, 1919, in Arkansas, according to relatives. Susan died on March 4, 1947. She was partially crippled by "milk-leg" or child-bed fever following the birth of her daughter, Ida. "Brud" and Susan had three children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.6 George Sparks was born June 29, 1894. He went to Missouri where he died in April 1966.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.7 Lottie Sparks was born May 29, 1897, in Elliott County. She went to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she married FNU Turley. They had children, but we have learned the name of only one of them, a daughter named Karl. Lottie lived for a while in Clarks, Louisiana, and died in Ellsinore, Missouri, in 1966.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8 Ida Sparks was born ca. 1900. She married Dempsey Barker, and they had five daughters:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8.1 Virgie Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8.2 Clemmie Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8.3 Ruby Barker,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8.4 Sue Barker, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.5.8.5 Ruth Barker. (See above.)
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6 Frederick ["Fred"] Mauk Sparks, son of Nelson and Peggy (Mauk) Sparks, was born on May 1, 1853, in Carter County. On January 21, 1875, he married Elizabeth Catherine Kegley in Elliott County. It was the first marriage for both. Catherine (as she was called) was born April 20, 1855, in Wythe County, Virginia, and was a daughter of Joel and Delilah (Hounshel) Kegley, natives of Wythe County. When the 1880 census was taken of Elliott County, Fred and Catherine were shown as having three children, two sons and one daughter.
Sometime in the 1890s, Fred Sparks joined the Christian Church, probably during a revival meeting, and his wife persuaded him to leave Elliott County and the temptations set before him by his friends and drinking companions. Accordingly, in 1897, he bought land at Rice, Kentucky, in Greenup County. (The post office no longer exists.) There he built a log house, and in the late fall he moved his family from Gimlet, Kentucky, to the newly-built home. It was there, on November 2, 1897, that the picture was taken of the entire family which is reproduced below.
 |
| THE FAMILY OF FRED & CATHERINE SPARKS |
| Back row, L-R: William Nelson Sparks, Joel Washington Sparks, and James Alpha Musser (husband of Laura). |
| 3rd row, L-R: Elizabeth Ann Sparks, Minty Ellen Sparks, and Laura Belle Sparks. |
| 2nd row, L-R: Mary Frances Sparks and Lucy Lavinia Sparks. |
| Front row, L-R: Delilah Margaret Sparks, Frederick Mauk Sparks, Elizabeth Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, and Sarah Jane Sparks |
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6 Frederick Mauk Sparks was a good man in every sense of the phrase. An interesting biographical account of him was written by a granddaughter, Anna Musser Bradley, and she has given us permission to use it here. She wrote:
All I know of Grandpa Sparks is what my mother and her two younger sisters told me and, naturally, they praised him highly. He died when I was just a year old. He was converted during a revival meeting in Elliott County, shortly after his marriage, and he joined the Christian Church before he moved to Greenup County. Ultimately, he was ordained a minister of the Christian Church, and it is told that he preached sermons in the grove near the Sparks Cemetery. This area is now called Happy Ridge because the Sparks family sang the oldtime gospel songs with such a fine spirit that the neighbors would gather in and sing and rejoice with them.
Grandpa was an industrious farmer, and he planted an orchard. He also could do all sorts of handy work and had a blacksmith shop. He kept seasoned hand-planed walnut boards in the loft of the shop which he used to make homemade coffins, and Grandma kept suitable cloth materials to cover, pad, line, and decorate the coffins for friends, neighbors, and relatives.
Grandpa also donated land for a cemetery. He was a good hand to wait on the sick and help the needy, and he was a good father as well. His grave was the second one prepared in the cemetery for which he gave land. He died on May 20, 1906, just a few days after he reached his 53rd birthday.
After the death of her husband, Catherine Sparks continued to live at Happy Ridge. Most of her children were married, or would soon marry, with families of their own, but she and the youngest children kept the home place together. She survived her husband for over forty years, dying on December 23, 1946. She was buried beside him in the Sparks Cemetery at Happy Ridge. She and Fred had eleven children, including an unnamed daughter who died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1 Joel Washington Sparks, son of Fred and Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, was born November 29, 1875, in Carter County. He was probably named for his maternal grandfather, Joel Kegley. He was a grown man when he helped his parents move to Greenup County. It was probably there that he met and courted Viola ["Dolly"] Morris, and they were married on April 19, 1899, in Ironton, Ohio, just across the Ohio River. Dolly was born August 17, 1879, at Kitts Hill, Ohio, and was a daughter of James M. and Mary A. (Murphy) Morris. Joel Sparks died on May 17, 1943. Dolly died on December 16, 1982, at the advanced age of 103! They had nine children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.1 Lillie Mae Sparks was born December 12, 1900. She never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.2 Ireland Sparks was born August 2, 1903. He married Blanche Martin on August 18, 1940, in Greenup County, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.2.1 Samuel Joel Sparks.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3 Alberta Sparks was born January 13, 1906, in Greenup County. There she married Joseph Edward Gilliam on April 21, 1928. He was born January 22, 1902, in Carter County. They had eight children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.1 Loretta Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.2 Jeanetta Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.3 Juanita Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.4 Viola Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.5 Harold Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.6 Lillian Gilliam,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.7 Beatrice Gilliam, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.3.8 Amaryllis Gilliam.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.4 Lottie Myrtle Sparks was born October 6, 1908. She married Chester James Hale on July 27, 1932, in Greenup County. He was born October 5, 1910, in Boyd County. He and Lottie had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.4.1 William Hale,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.4.2 Dorothy Hale, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.4.3 Joan Loy Hale.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.5 Virgie Sparks was born January 1, 1911, at Rice, Kentucky. She married Perry J. Burnett on May 8, 1937, in Boyd County, Kentucky. He was born December 8, 1907, at Coal Run, Kentucky. He died on January 5, 1968, at Phoenix, Arizona. He and Virgie had one child, a son:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.5.1 Paul David Burnett.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.6 Viola Sparks was born September 5, 1912. She married Elmer Russell White on September 2, 1933. He was born April 4, 1911. He and Viola had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.6.1 Romona White and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.6.2 Elmer White, Jr.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.7 Elsie Irene Sparks was born March 12, 1917. She married Verne Crampton on November 22, 1947. He was born April 23, 1923. He and Elsie had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.7.1 Larry Crampton and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.7.2 Susan Crampton.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.8 Mary Elizabeth Sparks was born December 12, 1919. She married Clay Martin on June 4, 1949, at Boyd County. He was born in Boyd County on May 9, 1918. They had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.8.1 Thomas Martin and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.8.2 Michael Martin.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9 Genevieve Sparks was born February 18, 1922, at Rice. She married George Washington Potter on August 31, 1940. He was born February 22, 1916, in Greenup County. He and Verna had seven children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.1 Helen Potter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.2 Frances Potter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.3 Joyce Potter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.4 George Potter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.5 John Potter,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.6 Perry Potter, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.1.9.7 James Potter.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2 William ["Bill"] Nelson Sparks, son of Fred and Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, was born December 16, 1877, and was a young man when his parents moved to Greenup County. He returned to Elliott County and persuaded his sweetheart, Martha Susan Binion, to marry him. They were married on February 27, 1901, in Carter County. He was 24 years old and she was 21. Both had been born in Elliott County. They were married at the home of Bill's cousin, Frank Sparks, in Carter County.
WILLIAM NELSON SPARKS (1877-1961)
When Bill Sparks was a young man, he made tin-type photographs. He also played a violin and banjo and sang tenor in a quartet. It was said that if he liked you, he would be most accomodating, but if he disliked you, he didn't want to be around you. He and Susan (as she was called) lived in West Virginia where he was a miner and also farmed. Susan died on February 19, 1960, in Baltimore, Maryland. Bill died the following year, on June 14, 1961. They were buried in the Sparks Cemetery at Happy Ridge. They had ten children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1 Ezra Arnold Sparks was born February 10, 1903. He married Elizabeth Withrow. He died on April 3, 1980, and Elizabeth died on April 6, 1988. They had seven children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.1 Esther Withrow,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.2 Ella Withrow,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.3 Loretta Withrow,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.4 Lawrence Withrow,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.5 Robert Withrow,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.6 Ronald Withrow, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.1.7 Ernest Withrow.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.2 Ida Ethel Sparks was born February 21, 1905. She was killed by an automobile in 1925.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.3 Claude Alexander Sparks was born May 5, 1907. He died in West Virginia while he was still quite young.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.4 Harlow Sparks was born March 11, 1909. He married Irene Holbrook, and they lived in Ashland, Kentucky, where they had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.4.1 Betty Irene Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.4.2 Janet Sue Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.4.3 William H. Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.4.4 Mary Ann Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.5 Ralph Sparks was born November 11, 1911. He never married. He served in the Merchant Marine Corps and died in Florida in 1983.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.6 Homer Sparks was born December 27, 1913. He married Hazel Holbrook, and they had a son:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.6.1 Homer Gene Sparks.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.7 Sarah Elizabeth Sparks was born May 6, 1916. She married Delmas Johnson, and they had three sons:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.7.1 Delmas Johnson, Jr.,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.7.2 Clyde Johnson, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.7.3 Larry Johnson.Sarah died in Florida in April 1984.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.8 Dorothy Mae Sparks was born December 1, 1919. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to William Blair, and they had a son:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.8.1 Donald Blair.
Her second marriage was to Earl Gilliam, and they had a daughter:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.8.2 Jo Anne Gilliam.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.9 Emma Lee Sparks was born August 27, 1921. She married Joseph Augustineak, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.9.1 Joseph Augustineak, Jr.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.10 Joel Elwood Sparks was born April 25, 1926. He married Mary MNU and they had four children. Elwood (as he was called) lives in Florida.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.10.1 Linda Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.10.2 Sharon Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.10.3 Steve Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.2.10.4 Billy Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3 Laura Belle Sparks, daughter of Fred and Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, was born on November 9, 1879, in Elliott County; she was a young woman when she moved with her parents to Greenup County in 1897. It was there, two years later, that she married James Alpha Musser on March 29, 1899. He was born July 1, 1878, in Lewis County, Kentucky, and was a son of Alexander and Sarah E. (Hensley) Musser. Alpha (as he was called) and Laura lived most of their lives in Ashland, Kentucky. Alpha died on March 18, 1954, and Laura died on September 29, 1957. They were buried in the Sparks Cemetery on Happy Ridge. They had fourteen children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.1 Belle Musser was born January 15, 1900. She died on October 20, 1904.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.2 Ollie Myrtle Musser was born February 6, 1901. She died on March 3, 1973. She never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.3 James Nelson Musser was born March 5, 1902. He died on October 24, 1904.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.4 Dewey Musser was born August 27, 1903. He died on January 7, 1929.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.5 Anna Mary Musser was born April 25, 1905, in Ashland, Kentucky. She was married on June 4, 1930, to Arlie Jennings Bradley in Lawrence County, Kentucky, by the Rev. H. B. Hewlett, a Methodist minister. Arlie was born on June 22, 1900, at Yatesville, Kentucky, and was a son of Frank and Minnie (Chaffin) Bradley. He was an employee of the Allied Chemical Company. He died on July 20, 1971. He and Anna had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.5.1 Suzanne Bradley.
Anna has furnished almost all of the information contained in this portion of this article and also several of the photographs.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.6 Denver Joel Musser was born January 21, 1907. He died on July 6, 1986. He owned a produce market in Huntington, West Virginia. He married Martha Marie Selby on November 21, 1927, in Lawrence County, Ohio. She was born March 12, 1908, in Boyd County, Kentucky. She died on June 19, 1971. She and Denver had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.6.1 Jeanella Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.6.2 William Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.6.3 Barbara Musser, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.6.4 Wanda Musser.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.7 Delbert Woodson Musser was born May 13, 1908. He died on March 30, 1975. He worked for the American Rolling Mill at Ashland, Kentucky. He married Verna Mae Crooks on December 2, 1936, in Lawrence County, Kentucky. She was born December 4, 1915. She and Delbert had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.7.1 Michael Musser and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.7.2 Susan Musser.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.8 Elmer Vintson Musser was born November 9, 1909. He worked for the Kentucky Power Company. He married Emma Kiser on May 11, 1934, in Carter County, Kentucky. She was born November 7, 1914, at Fallsburg, Kentucky. Elmer died on March 12, 1972, and Emma died on November 10, 1987.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.9 Charles Oliver Musser was born April 30, 1911. He married Lorna Christine Dummitt on January 25, 1933. She was born April 8, 1914. Charles died on May 18, 1937, at Ashland. He and Christine (as she was called) had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.9.1 Ramona Ann Musser.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.10 Alexander Musser was born December 12, 1912. He died on September 12, 1913.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.11 Bradie Musser was born March 8, 1914. She died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.12 George Albert Musser was born April 10, 1915. He died on October 15, 1918.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.13 Sarah Elizabeth Musser was born May 10, 1917. She married George Price on November 23, 1936, in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was born on May 23, 1915, in Boyd County. Sarah died on April 1, 1975. She and George had no children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14 Alpha Mason Musser was born June 29, 1923. He died on June 24, 1987. He was a welder. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Mona Marie Robinson on August 9, 1944. She was born January 27, 1925, in Elliott County. She and Mason (as he was called) had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.1 Edith Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.2 Charles Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.3 Mitchell Musser, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.4 Ronald Musser.Mason married (second) Donna MNU, and they had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.5 James Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.6 Ruby Musser,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.7 John Musser, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.3.14.8 Sally Musser.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4 Minty Ellen Sparks, daughter of Fred and Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, was born on November 10, 1881, in Elliott County. She was married at her parents' home to James Henry Waller on April 17, 1901, by Elliott Rice. James was born on June 29, 1881, in Greenup County. He died on December 13, 1958, and Minta Ellen died on July 11, 1961. They were buried in Boyd County. They had twelve children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.1 William James Waller was born April 9, 1902, in Greenup County. He died on December 15, 1944.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.2 Minty Ann Waller was born February 27, 1904.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.3 Allen Arnold Waller was born March 30, 1905. He died on April 2, 1963, in Boyd County.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.4 Mary Ellen Waller was born April 13, 1907. She married William White.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.5 Elzie Roy Waller was born July 27, 1909. He married Gladys Stambaugh.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.6 Ruby Lee Waller was born June 15, 1911. She married Orville Potts.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.7 Clifton Edward Waller was born August 17, 1913. He married Irene Lowe on August 10, 1940. She was born April 22, 1922. She and Clifton had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.7.1 Gerald Waller,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.7.2 Billy Ray Waller, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.7.3 Jeffrey Waller.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.8 Verna Elberta Waller was born August 15, 1915. She married Arthur Daniels.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.9 Lloyd Ishmael Waller was born January 18, 1918, in Boyd County. He married Roberta Lowe.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.10 Helen Louise Waller was born May 2, 1920. She married Fred Jasper Bayless on January 6, 1940, in Boyd County. He was born March 17, 1918. He and Helen had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.10.1 Gary Bayless,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.10.2 Nancy Bayless,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.10.3 Lynda Bayless, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.10.4 Cody Bayless.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.11 Delilah Frances Waller was born April 10, 1922. She married James H. Lawson.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.4.12 Dorothy Catherine Waller was born May 4, 1924. She married Arnold G. Tufts, and they live in Alaska.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5 Lizzy Ann Sparks was born on November 5, 1883, in Elliott County. She married John j Albert Caudill on Christmas Day 1901 in Greenup County. He was born April 4, 1881, and was a son of John Wesley and Celia Ann (McBrayer) Caudill. He died in Greenup County on March 24, 1928. Lizzy Ann died on June 26, 1929. They lived at Flatwoods, Kentucky. They had eleven children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.1 Joel Elmer Caudill was born October 13, 1902, in Boyd County. He married Vivian Elizabeth Davis on April 9, 1928.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.2 Vennie Caudill was born June 16, 1905, in Greenup County. He taught school in California. He married Helen McKnight on May 5, 1940, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.2.1 John Caudill and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.2.2 Dedra Caudill.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.3 Lakie Caudill was born June 4, 1908. She was married three times. Her first marriage was to James F. Smith on April 13, 1927. She married (second) Sturgell A. Lynd on August 21, 1935, and her third marriage was to Albert F. Fowler on June 3, 1950. She had no children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.4 Osbal Wesley Caudill was born June 13, 1910. He was a maintenance worker at Morehead (Kentucky) State University. He married Wilma Hurt on September 2, 1940, and they had three children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.4.1 Osba Caudill, Jr.,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.4.2 Thomas Caudill, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.4.3 Leroy Caudill.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.5 William Arthur Caudill was born April 21. 1913. He married Kathryn Kennard on August 19, 1939, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.5.1 James Caudill and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.5.2 Jack Caudill.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.6 Oliver Caudill was born May 31, 1915; he died on July 23, 1915.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.7 Sarah Ethel Caudill was born March 12, 1917. She married Frank Lee Barham on September 30, 1950, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.7.1 Franklin D. Barham
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.8 Roy Caudill was born April 9, 1919. He was killed when his plane was shot down over Normandy, France, in March 1944 during World War II.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9 Bertha Caudill was born May 31, 1921. She married Clarence Jasper Clutter on January 28, 1940, and they had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.1 Clarence Clutter and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.2 Buddia Clutter.Bertha married (second) Robert Leader, and they had five children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.3 David Leader,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.4 Bobby Leader,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.5 George Leader,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.6 Charyl Leader, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.9.7 Edwin Leader.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.10 Leonard Caudill was born November 6, 1923. He married Mabel Winsor, and they have two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.10.1 Linda Caudill and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.10.2 Leonard Caudill, Jr.Leonard has been most helpful in furnishing information about his family for this article.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.11 Ruth Caudill was born April 1, 1927. She married Oshal L. Crance, and they had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.11.1 Karen Crance,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.11.2 Donna Crance,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.11.3 Carroll Crance, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.5.11.4 John Crance.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6 Mary Frances Sparks was born on October 15, 1886, in Elliott County. She married Vintson Early Terry on January 20, 1906. He was born February 18, 1883, in Scioto County, Ohio. He died on August 22, 1963, in Ironton, Ohio, and Mary Frances died there a year later, on June 7, 1964. They were buried in Ironton. They had thirteen children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.1 Mabel Marie Terry was born July 16, 1907, in Boyd County. She married Roscoe M. Parker on Christmas Eve, 1934. He was born June 22, 1907, in Lawrence County, Ohio. He and Mabel had one child,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.1.1 Carol Ann Parker.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.2 An unnamed son Terry was born May 4, 1908, and died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.3 James Alpha Terry was born March 22, 1909. He married Dorothy Lee Donta on August 4, 1934. She was born July 2, 1907, in Boyd County. She and James had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.3.1 James Terry and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.3.2 Stanley Terry.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.4 Vintson Jesse Terry was born October 22, 1910. He never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.5 Aaron Terry was born February 6, 1912; he died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.6 Agnes Terry was born, ca. 1913. She married Tom Crown.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.7 Harold Edson Terry was born March 31, 1915. He married Magalena Dodson on February 24, 1940. She was born December 23, 1914, in Lawrence County, Ohio. She and Harold had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.7.1 Frances Terry and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.7.2 Ferne Terry.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8 Edna Frances Terry was born February 20, 1918, in Lawrence County, Ohio. She married William Leon Lavender in 1936, and they had five sons:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8.1 William Lavender, Jr.;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8.2 Murry Lavender;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8.3 Terry Lavender;
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8.4 Thomas Lavender; and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.8.5 Timothy Lavender.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.9 Arthur Manuel Terry was born October 19, 1919. He married Eunice Irene Sparling on December 8, 1942, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.9.1 Warren Terry.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.10 Catherine Wanda Lee Terry was born February 19, 1921. She died in 1926.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.11 Robert Paul Terry was born December 10, 1922.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.12 Howard Edward Terry was born September 3, 1924, in Lawrence County, Ohio. He married Eloise Bell on November 22, 1945, and they had four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.12.1 Frances Terry,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.12.2 Howard Terry,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.12.3 Gary Terry, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.12.4 Larry Terry.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.6.13 Donald Gene Terry was born August 2, 1927; he died in September 1929.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7 Lucy Lavinia Sparks was born on August 29, 1889, and was about eight years old when her parents moved to Greenup County. It was there that she married Grover Thomas Creech on June 13, 1908, at the home of her mother on Happy Ridge. Grover was born on February 12, 1885, in Elliott County, and he died on July 16, 1931. Lucy died on May 17, 1978. She was burried in the the Sparks Cemetery on Happy Ridge. They had nine children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.1 Capitola Creech was born March 19, 1911, at Princess, Kentucky. She married Jake Melvin on April 20, 1934, in Boyd County. He was born on June 6, 1910, at Old Steam Furnace in Greenup County. He died on December 16, 1971.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.2 Yetieve Creech was born February 11, 1916, at Fairview, Kentucky. She married Elmer McMillian.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.3 Beverly Varden Creech was born November 30, 1917, at Worthington, Kentucky. She married James H. Boggs in San Francisco, California.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.4 Thomas Truxton Creech was born September 28, 1919. He married Rose Brown in Santiago (San Diego?), California.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.5 Joel Randolph Creech was born February 5, 1921. He was killed by a truck on April 9, 1932, near his home at Worthington, Kentucky.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.6 William Frederick Creech was born February 20, 1925. He married Beulah Fields.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.7 Betty Lou Creech was born February 11, 1927. She married Paul Adams, who was from Coal Grove, Ohio. They have two children:1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.7.1 Steve Adams and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.7.2 Jade Adams.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.8 Woodrow Wilson Creech was born March 16, 1928. He was an athletic coach and teacher; he never married.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.7.9 Delilah Margaret Creech was born June 10, 1932, at Rice, Kentucky. She married Earl Bates.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.8 Leonard Roy Sparks was born on July 18, 1892, at Stark, Kentucky. He died prior to 1897.
DELILAH MARGARET SPARKS (1893-1982)
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.9 Delilah Margaret Sparks was born September 22, 1893, at Stark, Kentucky; she was only four years old when her parents moved to Greenup County. She undoubtedly was named for her paternal and maternal grandmothers. She grew to womanhood at Happy Ridge where she attended the one-room schools.
With the outbreak of World War I, Delilah went to Dayton, Kentucky, where she received nurse's training in the Spears Memorial Hospital. Upon graduation, she was appointed a second lieutenant in the Army Nurses' Corps, and in June 1918 she was sent to France. There she served in various base and field hospitals until the end of the war. In June 1919, she returned to the United States; by this time, she apparently had made up her mind to remain in the military service.
The next 28 years saw Delilah Sparks use her nursing skills all around the world. Her first assignment was in the Orient, and from there she went to the Philippine Islands. She then returned to the United States and served in army hospitals in San Francisco, San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Hot Springs, and Fort Benning. Just prior to the beginning of World War II, she was the Superintendent of Nurses at Plattsburg, New York.
When Delilah Sparks retired in 1947, she was in charge of the nurses at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. She was now a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army - - a permanent rank that few women had attained, and she had participated in two major world conflicts. She returned to Happy Ridge and her girlhood home. There she lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah Jane and Charles Hanks, until her death which occurred on September 25, 1982.
Delilah never married, nor did she have a special boy-friend. She was quite strict morally and a fighter for what she believed was right. She did not condone either smoking or drinking. She was a member of the Christian Church. She loved to regale her family with stories of her travel. She told of crossing the ocean with Herbert Hoover (before he became president) and serving at the same military post as Dwight D. Eisenhower. She also told of kissing the stone at Blarney Castle, Ireland, which imparted to her a special skill of flattery.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.6.10 Sarah Jane Sparks was born on November 2, 1896, in Elliott County, and was carried as a baby by her parents to their new home in Greenup County. After the death of her father, she continued to live with her mother at the home place. She attended normal schools, finally attaining a Life Teaching Certificate by studying at Morehead State Normal School (now Morehead State University). In 1932, she married Charles E. Hanks, and they continued to live with her mother until her mother's death in 1946. Sarah Jane died on June 19, 1950.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.7 Levi C. Sparks was born June 2, 1855. He died on September 22, 1856. He was undoubtedly named for his paternal grandfather.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8 Louisa Jane Sparks was born on May 3, 1857, in Carter County. She married Thomas L. Kelley on November 17, 1881, in Elliott County. He was born April 13, 1860. He died on January 18, 1932, and Louisa Jane died on March 10, 1934. They had seven children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.1 John Nelson Kelley was born October 6, 1883. He died in 1940. Nelson (as he was called) married Minnie Cains.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.2 Laura Belle Kelley was born August 2, 1885. She died in 1952. She married Carl Tackett.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.3 Charles Lansford Kelley was born April 17, 1887. He died on February 20, 1960. He was married three times. His first marriage was to FNU Worley; his second was to Bertha Fultz; and his third was to Gertie Caskey.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.4 George W. Kelley was born June 10, 1889. He died on January 6, 1893.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.5 Emma S. Kelley was born January 29, 1892; she died the following day.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6 William Robert Kelley was born January 6, 1894. He married Inis Gertrude France on November 15, 1915, and they had six children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.1 William Robert Kelley, Jr., was born November 10, 1916.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.2 John Pershing Kelley was born September 3, 1918.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.3 Hiram Gartrell Kelley was born December 9, 1920.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.4 Alice Marie Kelley was born August 22, 1924. She married FNU Curtis.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.5 James Ora Kelley was born in 1925 and died at birth.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.6.6 Helen Louise Kelley was born September 26, 1929.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.8.7 Noah D. Kelley was born June 22, 1896. He became a minister. He married Minnie Allen.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9 Martha F. Sparks was born Christmas Day, 1860. She married John Binion on September 25, 1878, in Elliott County. According to the marriage record, he was 24 years old; he had been born in Morgan County, Kentucky; it was his first marriage; his father had been born in Whitley County, Kentucky; and his mother had been born in Russell County, Virginia. Martha was 18 years old; it was her first marriage; she was born in Carter County, Kentucky; but the birthplaces of her parents were not given. She and John had seven children; however, we are uncertain of the order of their births.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.1 Elijah E. Binion was born in September 1879.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.2 Minnie Binion married FNU Roberts.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3 James Nelson Binion was born September 19, 1883. He married Emily Frances Holbrook, and they had at least five children.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3.1 Eva Binion married FNU Boggs.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3.2 Elda Binion.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3.4 Ison Binion.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3.5 James Binion.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.3.6 Elva Binion.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.4 Sarah Binion married Joe Keaton.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.5 Ida Jane Binion was born October 23, 1888. She married Jay Collins. She died on April 3, 1983. She had at least one child,1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.5.1 Theodore Collins.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.6 Albert Binion lived at Oak Hill, Ohio. He married Rose Grizzle.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.9.7 Fred Binion lived at Grahn, Kentucky.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10 George Winfield Sparks was born on April 9, 1862, in that part of Carter County, Kentucky, which became a part of Elliott County in 1869. As a young lad, he accompanied his father in the fall of 1874 to the village of Olive Hill where his father was shot and killed on Sunday, October 11, 1874. George, then only 12 years old, drove the team and wagon which hauled his father's body home late that day. *** New info: George Winfield Sparks did not take the body of his father to his home after his father was shot and killed in October 1874. Instead, he stayed overnight in the home of a friend in Olive Hill.
After the death of his father, George continued to live with his mother on the home place until his marriage on September 14, 1883, to Lucinda ["Cindy"] Sargent in Elliott County. She was born March 25, 1862, in Ohio County, Kentucky, a daughter of Delilah Sargent. She had a brother named Jesse Sargent, and she had two sisters, Kate Sargent and Eliza Sargent. George Sparks was a farmer and lived on Mauk Ridge. He died on November 27, 1932, and was buried in the Mauk Cemetery. Lucinda died on February 3, 1939, and was buried at Olive Hill. She and George had six children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1 Willis Lanford Sparks was born March 13, 1885, in Elliott County. He died on September 18, 1975. According to his obituary, he was a school teacher when he opened and operated a theater of silent movies in Olive Hill. He was also a construction contractor, an oil well driller, and a farmer. He was a member of the Grundy Masonic Lodge in Elliott County.
Willis Sparks was married twice. His first wife was Ella Boggs to whom he was married ca. 1910. They had four children. Ella died in 1927, and Willis married (second) Grayce Brinegar, ca. 1938. She was born on June 3, 1903, and was a daughter of Lillie (Way) Brinegar. Grayce died on August 28, 1981. She and Willis had two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.1 Guy Sparks was born ca. 1912. He lived only a few months.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.2 Edythe Sparks was born in Mauk Ridge in Elliott County on March 11, 1913. She was a teacher and was also employed by the Norfolk (Virginia) Naval Yards. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She married Alden Robinson who was an employee of the Morehead (Kentucky) News. Edythe died on May 17, 1987, and was buried in the Lee Cemetery at Morehead. She and Alden had no children.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.3 Virgil Raymond Sparks was born in Olive Hill on August 8, 1917. He owned and operated the Sparks Appliance Store in Olive Hill. He married Janis Craig, and they had one child:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.3.1 Barbara Sparks
Virgil died on April 2, 1987.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.4 James Lester [ "Jimmie" ] Sparks was born ca. 1920. He married Pauline Kiser, and they live at Olive Hill. Children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.4.1 Larry Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.4.2 John Alden Sparks.The children of Willis and Grayce (Brinegar) Sparks were:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.5 Willis Lanford Sparks, Jr. was born ca. 1940 in Olive Hill. He married Loretta Tackett, and they have four children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.5.1 Rhonda Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.5.2 Timothy Sparks,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.5.3 Theresa Sparks, and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.5.4 Christopher Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.6 Gary D. Sparks was born ca. 1942 in Olive Hill. He married Linda MNU, and they live in Wilmington, Ohio, where Gary is employed by the Frigidaire Corporation. They have two children:
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.6.1 Debra Sparks and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.1.6.2 Jennifer Sparks.1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.2 Reese D. Sparks was born on March 10, 1889, in Elliott County where he grew to manhood. He went to upper Wisconsin, probably to join some other Elliott Countians who had migrated there in the early 1900s to work in the lumbering industry. It was at Antigo, Wisconsin, that he enlisted in July 1917 in the 107th Trench Mortar Battery, 32nd Division, United States Army. His unit trained at Waco, Texas, and by March 1918 it was in France. Sparks's company was sent to the front immediately (in the Vosges Mountains), and on June 30, 1918, he was killed.
PVT. 1C, REESE D. SPARKS (1889-1918)
As told by his sister, Sarah (Sparks) Gee, his death occurred as follows "Reese was wounded the first time he went to the battlefield. He had refused to take his mess-kit with him on that day saying that he would be the unlucky one. He was struck in the chest by shrapnel and lived only three hours. He said goodbye to the boys who were carrying him to the hospital. "
Reese Sparks was interred in a temporary grave in Alsace-Lorraine, but three years later, his body was returned to the United States, and he was buried with military rites in the Ashland (Kentucky) Cemetery on June 5, 1921.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.3 Rosa Belle Sparks, daughter of George and Lucinda (Sargent) Sparks, was born July 13, 1891, at Gimlet, Kentucky. During World War I, she trained to be a nurse at Mt. Clemens, Michigan. She married Howard Lee Judy on November 4, 1919, in Boyd County, Kentucky. He was born September 11, 1891, at Washington C.H., Ohio, and was a son of Peter and Drucilla (Kimmey) Judy, natives of Ohio. He served in the Flying School Detachment, United States Army, during World War I. Rosa Belle and Howard worked in a state sanatorium at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, until 1945, when they moved to Tucson, Arizona, because of health reasons. Howard died there on December 13, 1974, and Rosa Belle died there on January 1, 1982. They had one child.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.3.1 Sylvia Patricia Judy was born December 27, 1926. She is a retired teacher. She married Robert E. Lehner, a geologist. Of her mother, Sylvia wrote: "Mother was an avid reader and a marvelous cook. She enjoyed travel, flower gardens, sewing, and music, and she was very fond of animals."
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.4 Sarah E. Sparks was born January 8, 1897. She married Cecil Gee in August 1922, and they had one child. Cecil died in 1968. Sarah lives in Summerfield, Florida. She has been most helpful in the preparation of this article.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.4.1 Clara Gee was born July 9, 1923. She married (first) to George O. Love, Jr. on August 28, 1954, and they had two children,
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.4.1.1 Robin Love and
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.4.1.2 Holly Love.Clara married (second) Michael E. McDowell, a native of the state of Washington, and they live in Florida. Michael retired after a career in the United States Army.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.5 George Russell Sparks was born on December 20, 1898, in Elliott County. He was known as Russell Sparks. He married Mildred Anna Christen in September 1926 at Green Island, New York. She was born September 15, 1903, in Albany County, New York. George died on December 21, 1974, and Mildred died on November 20, 1983. They had one child.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.5.1 Casandra Sparks was born May 25, 1943, at Detroit, Michigan. She married Cormac Joseph Sean MacDiarmada Rua in London, England, on August 24, 1987. He was born September 18, 1932, in Dublin, Ireland, and was a son of Cornelius and Ellen (Nolan) MacDiarmada Rua.
1.2.5.1.2.1.7.3.10.6 Clemmie Sparks was born on October 3, 1901. She married Dewey Osborne on November 21, 1939. He was a brakeman for the C & O Railroad. He died in 1968. Clemmie died on May 17, 1977, in Olive Hill. They had no children.
