March 3, 2022
Pages 9999
Whole Number 126
THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
The article on James Sparks of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Whole Nos. 125 and 126), which was begun in the March 1984 issue of the Quarterly, is not only one of the longest articles that we have published, but, with its accompanying photographs, it is the most profusely illustrated. This was made possible not only because family pictures were preserved and made available to us, but also because they had been identified and labeled while persons knowing the individuals were yet living. Perhaps this can serve as a reminder to our readers of the importance of sitting down with older members of your family, not only to ask them to identify the pictures in the family album, but to write names, and, where possible, dates on the backs of those photographs.
Perhaps your editor may be pardoned for taking space to recount how he was able recently to identify the picture of a great-great-grandmother. When I was a boy, my paternal grandmother once showed me an old photograph and said: "Russell, I want you to look at a picture of my grandmother." She also told me that this grandmother, her mother's mother, had lived with her parents and that when she took tea to her room in the afternoon, "Grandma Bunce would give me a peppermint candy." Years later, after my grandmother's death in 1939, I tried to remember which among her many unlabeled photographs was the one she had shown me. I thought I knew, but could never be positive. Recently, however, a descendant of a brother of my grandmother found the same picture among his old photographs. Fortunately, he had written "Grandma Bunce" on the back of his copy. Now I know for certain that the picture that belonged to my grandmother is, indeed, that of her grandmother, Esther (Lewis) Bunce, because a great-uncle whom I never knew had the foresight to identify for his descendants the pictures in his album.
Page 3347
Whole Number 136
Front row, L-R: Anna Weicht, Grace Weicht, Samuel George Sparks, Lloyd Weicht, Frank Sparks, and Mary Lyda Sparks
Second row, L-R: Mary Weicht, John Sherman Sparks holding Mary Kathryn Sparks, Dora (Amick) Sparks holding Nellie Grace Sparks, Mary (Stayer) Sparks, Mabel Rebecca Sparks, Samuel Barkley Sparks, Belle (Karns) Sparks holding Webster Sparks, Edna (Davis) Sparks holding Charles Sparks.
Third row, L-R: Rosa Weicht, Rebecca (Sparks) Weicht, Joseph Patterson Sparks, Pearl (Beck) Sparks holding Gilbert Sparks, Charles Sparks, George Smouse, Russell Samuel Sparks, and Abram Wareham Sparks.
(Picture)
Whole Number 137
THE TOMBSTONE OF JOHN SPARKS, 1750 -1814
Son of Samuel and Margaret (Lorton) Sparks
South Killingly, Connecticut, Congregational Church Burying Ground
(His Revolutionary War Marker is in the Background)
(Picture)
HANNAH GRIFFEY (SPARKS) CHRISTY
(1829 - 1909)
DAUGHTER OF EZRA & CATHERINE (GRIFFEY) SPARKS
With her husband, Henry D. Christy
(View photograph)
Page 3292
Whole Number 143
JAMES ALLEN SPARKS (1838-1917)
WITH HIS WIFE, MARIAH (WAINSCOTT) SPARKS
and their nephew and foster son, Samuel J. Gher
(Picture)
Whole Number 144
| A photograph loaned to us by Mary L. Henry taken about 1901 which shows the Sparks Company at a construction site near Llano, Texas. The head of the company, John Henry Sparks (1859-1935), is at the far right. His brother-in-law, Marlin Wilder (1857-1940), is on John Henry's right; the little boy is Truman Wilder, son of Marlin and Alice Irene (Sparks) Wilder. |
(Picture)
WILLIAM OSCAR SPARKS (1885 - 1962)
&
JOHN HENRY SPARKS, JR. (1883 - 1958)
Sons of John Henry, Sr. & Mary LeLila (Lane) Sparks
(Picture)
Page 3483
Whole Number 148
RICHARD M. SPARKS
Born May 4, 1829, in Surry County, North Carolina
(Picture)
Died April 17, 1893, at Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Richard M. Sparks was a son of William D. Sparks (born ca. 1790 in Surry County, NC; died prior to 1860 in Cooper County, MO). He was a grandson of Matthew Sparks (born ca. 1753 in Frederick County, MD; died 1819 in Surry County, NC). He was a great-grandson of William Sparks (born ca. 1728 in Queen Annes County, MD; died 1802 in Surry County, NC). He was a great-great-grandson of William Sample Sparks, born ca. 1700, for whom a biographical study begins on page 3484. This photograph was provided by a grandson of Richard M. Sparks, James Sparks of 5508 McKinley St., West Bethesda, MD, 20817.
Whole Number 149
Elizabeth D. (Patterson) Horner & John Valentine Horner
(1827-1892) (1824-1913)
(Pictures) (Page 3539)
Pictures made ca. 1887
(Picture)
FAMILY OF JOHN COOPER PINKERTON (1842-1899)
AND HIS WIFE
MARY ELIZABETH (HORNER) PINKERTON (1848-1936)
With seven of their eight children
(See page 3537)
(Picture)
(Page 3534)
MARY MALINDA (PATTERSON) HORNER(1822-1892)
Wife of Jesse Horner
(Photograph taken ca. 1886)
(Picture) (Page 3543)
NATHAN SPARKS & MARY HARRIET (LEWIS) HORNERPhotograph taken ca. 1885
(Picture)
(Picture)
(Page 3544)
NATHAN SPARKS HORNER WITH HIS DAUGHTER BETTIE (HORNER) DANIEL
HIS GRAND DAUGHTER, OLLIE (DANIEL) BARBER
AND HIS GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER, MAURINE BARBER
Photograph taken about 1915
Whole Number 151
(Picture)
FAMILY OF THOMAS & REBECCA CATHERINE (MURPHREE) PINKERTON
| Back row, L-R: William Levi Pinkerton, Maggie Pinkerton, Josie Pinkerton, Mattie Pinkerton, and Alice Thomas Pinkerton. |
| Front row, L-R: Sarah Pinkerton, Bettie Pinkerton, Thomas Pinkerton, Joel C. Pinkerton, and Rebecca Catherine (Murphree) Pinkerton. [Rebecca was a daughter of Levi & Hannah (Sparks) Murphree and a granddaughter of Jesse & Susan (May) Sparks.] |
(Picture)
RACHEL HANNAH (LANCASTER) ROBBS
(1872-1918)
Photograph taken about 1916-1917
(Picture)
SONS OF MARY ANN FRANCES (MURPHREE)COOPERLANCASTER
[Daughter of Levi and Hannah (Sparks)Murphree]
| Standing, L-R: David Cooper, Levi Lancaster, Monroe Lancaster, Robert Lancaster, and Pleasant Lancaster. |
| Squatting, L-R: Will Lancaster and John Lancaster. |
(Picture)
WILLIAM AND SUE (MURPHREE) MOORE
(Photograph taken about 1910)
(Picture)
SARAH POCAHONTAS ["POKE"] MURPHREE
(1858-1928)
(Photograph taken about 1920)
(Picture)
GEORGE AND VINA (MURPHREE) OWENS
(Photograph taken about 1905)
(Picture)
JESSE AND VINA (WEATHERSPOON) MURPHREE
(Photograph taken about 1905)
(Picture)
DAVID W. AND LOU EMMA (MURPHREE) OWENS
(Picture)
MARY ANN FRANCES MURPHREE (1844-1891) (Photograph taken ca. 1870-5)
FAMILY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON SPARKS
| Back row, left |
to right: Silas Sparks; Callie Sparks; John Sparks; Rosa Sparks; Amos Sparks; Mary Eliza Sparks; Agnes Sparks; and James Sparks. |
(Photograph)
| Front row, L-R: |
Lucy Sparks; Viola Sparks, George Washington Sparks (father);. Harry Reginald Sparks sitting on father's lap; Edward Sparks; Mary Sina (Durbin) Sparks (mother); George ["Jack"] Sparks; and Albin Sparks. |
(Photograph taken about 1905)
Page 3669-3684
Whole Number 152
(Picture)
HOME OF JOSEPH SPARKS (1817-1902)
(Built between 1852 and 1858)
At Bald Knob near the village of Buck Shoals
in Yadkin County, North Carolina
(Insert is believed to be a photograph of Fannie Elizabeth (Sparks) Salmons,daughter of Joseph and Martha Elvira (Dimmette) Sparks, born in 1860)
(PICTURE)
ELAM HARDY SPARKS, born 1880
and his cousin
DORA SPARKS, born ca.1888
(See Item C, 8, a, below) in article 3687-3703
(Picture)
FRANKLIN AUGUSTUS SPARKS
(1850-ca. 1933)
Son of Isaac & Frances (Higginbotham) Sparks
Photograph taken ca.1900
(Picture)
JOSEPH AND LUCY (SPARKS) COWART
With son, Averal, and daughter, Beatrice
(Photograph taken about 1900)
(PICTURE)
LUCY SPARKS, born ca.1856
Childhood photograph taken ca.1866
(PICTURE)
LUCY (SPARKS) NUNNELEY COCHRAN
Photograph taken ca.1900
(PICTURE)
JOSEPH A. AND LILLIE (SPARKS) NUNNELEY
(Photograph taken ca.1903)
(PICTURE)
JOHN L. COCHRAN
Son of Robert & Lucy (Sparks) Cochran
(Photograph taken ca. 1900)
(PICTURE)
MARY BEA (SPARKS) YANDELL (1851-1929)
Daughter of William & Manerva (Powell)Sparks
(Photograph taken ca.1896)
Whole Number 153
(Picture)
THOMAS C. SPARKS
(1815-1909)
Son of Ephraim and Sarah (Cook) Sparks
Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Married in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
Died in Boone County, Iowa
(Picture)
ESTHER ANN (DUNN) SPARKS
Born November 9, 1828, Died May 13, 1920
(Wife of Thomas C. Sparks)
(Picture)
EUGENE VICTOR SPARKS (1855-1913)
With his Wife
GRACE (GLOVER) SPARKS (1859-1925)
(Picture)
JOHN COOK SPARKS
(1860-1943)
(Picture)
WEDDING PICTURE OF
LEWIS PLAYFORD & ROSA BELLE (HOFFMAN) SPARKS 1891
(Picture)
ELI J. SPARKS (1844-1920)
(Picture)
JAMES ALFRED SPARKS (1851-1943) (seated]
With Son James Herbert and Daughter Bertha
(Taken about 1916)
(Picture)
ROBERT GIAN ['ROB'] SPARKS (1894-1938)
Taken ca. 1814
Page 3849
Whole Number 156
(Picture)
COLBY SPARKS (1857-1951)
WITH HIS WIFE, MARTHA (CHAFFIN) SPARKS
and their eldest child, JAMES WILLIAM ["JIM BILL"] SPARKS
(Grandparents & Father of Dr. Paul E. Sparks)
Page 4019
Whole Number 160
(Picture)
[NOTE: On the cover of Whole No. 35 is a photostat of a land grant dated
February 5, 1771 to Zachariah Sparks described supra on page 571.]
(Picture)
THE INFARE DAY DRESS OF
ELIZABETH MANILLA (DEMPSEY) CLARK --1861
[Daughter of Jesse Jackson a Malluda Minerva (Sparks) Dempsey]
(See page 4023)
(Picture)
THE STONE MARKING THE GRAVES OF
JESSE JACKSON AND MINERVA (SPARKS) DEMPSEY
IN THE UNION CHURCH CEMETERY, CLAY COUNTY, ALABAMA
Photograph taken May 10, 1992
(Picture)
Elizabeth Manilla DempseyJesse Franklin Clark
Married on September 5, 1861
(Picture)
Left to right: Lora Robbins, Thomas Robbins,Leota Louisa Robbins, John M. Robbins, Laura Belle (West) Robbins, Tura Parlee Robbins, and Christopher Columbus Robbins. (Photograph taken about 1930.)
(Picture)
HARVEY SPARKS ["UNCLE HARVE"] 1860-1954
With his son-in-law, Richard Johnson, in May 1950
(Picture)
Pictured above is a 1903 store
Page 4103
Whole Number 162
Map
The above drawing was made by William M. Sparks (1838-1922) on January 19, 1914, for his brother, Thomas J. Sparks, who was planning a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, and to Vicksburg, Mississippi. William M. Sparks, who had served in the 72nd Illinois Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, drew this map to help his brother find the exact spots where he (William) had camped and fought during the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863. For ease of interpretation, we have added the typed reproductions of his explanatory notes.
Whole Number 163
(PICTURE)
JONAS SPARKS HONORED AT FORT BOONESBOROUGH, KENTUCKY
We have just recently learned that Jonas Sparks (ca.1730-1805), a friend and neighbor of the well-known pioneer, Daniel Boone, is among a large group of settlers which has been honored for helping with the establishment of Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky, in 1775. A marble stone, approximately fifteen feet high, has been erected at the entrance to the re-constructed fort, and about 750 names have been carved on the four faces of the stone. Among these names is that of Jonas Sparks.
The story of the role played by Jonas Sparks and his family in the establishment of Fort Boonesborough has been related in three issues of the Quarterly and will not be repeated here. Needless to say, the officers of the Association are proud to report this honor. The issues of the Quarterly are those of September 1953, March 1964, and June 1991, Whole Nos. 3, 45, and 154, respectively.
Fort Boonesborough is located near the village of Boonesboro in northern Madison County and is a part of the Kentucky Department of Parks. It can be easily reached from Interstates 64 and 75 and is on State Route 388, about ten miles north of Richmond, Kentucky.
Page 4238
Whole Number 165
(Picture)
MARION JACKSON ["BUDDY"] & CAROLINE LUTICIA (LIGHTFOOT) SPARKS
PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE TIME OF THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING
1937
1937
Page 4201
Whole Number 165
MAP OF IPSWICH
Map of the Town of Ipswich in Essex County, Massachusetts
Page 4323
Whole Number 167
(picture)
RUBBING OF MILESTONE: "TO SPARKS FERRY"
(See page 4332)
Page 4365
Whole Number 168
BENJAMIN DUNCAN SPARKS (July 14, 1819 - July 28, 1909)
SON OF BENJAMIN AND MARY (DUNCAN) SPARKS
(See page 4375.)
Whole Number 170
(Picture)
MILLINGTON SPARKS, III (ca. 1775-ca. 1835)
Page 4703
Whole Number 175
FAMILY OF LABAN AND EMILY (LYON) SPARKS
(Laban & Emily Sparks family picture)
(Back row, standing, L-R): Herbert Sparks, JohnBishop, Florence (Sparks) Bishop, and Hattie Sparks.
(Front row, seated, L-R): Charles Fonso Sparks, Laban T. Sparksholding Henry W. Sparks, Emily (Lyon) Sparks holding NelsonSparks, and Eva Sparks.
Page 4707
Whole Number 175
ELLA REBECCA (SPARKS) SMITH (1863-1892), continued:
(Picture goes here)
Is the Lady with Him His First Wife. Ella Rebecca (Sparks) Smith?
Page 4709
Whole Number 175
PICTURE
ROYAL HARRIS AND GRACE Z. (BERRY) SPARKS WITH CHILDREN, BERNICE AND ROBERT
Photograph taken about 1906
Page 4761
Whole Number 177
(Picture)
THE FAMILY OF RUTH JOANNA (SPARKS) MENUEY (1860-1948) DAUGHTER OF WALTER K. AND MARY JANE (MeCOSKEY) SPARKS
WITH HER HUSBAND, JOHN BAPTISTE MENUEY (1859-1923)
AND THEIR THIRTEEN SURVIVING CHILDREN (PHOTOGRAPHED ABOUT 1910)
(Back row, L-R)
Grayce Bell, born 1893; Mary Lear, born 1885; Ivy Loay, born 1882; Martha Blanche, born 1890;
John Evangelist, born 1888; Lola Maude, born 1880;Pearl Pauline, born 1884; Meda Ray, born 1886;and Ora Mabel, born 1881.
(Front row, L-R)
Ruth Avrill, born 1895; John Baptiste Menuey (father) born 1859; Erwin Harold (with his hand on father’s shoulder) born 1900; Roland Rex (in front of Erwin) born 1905; Ruth Joanna (Sparks) Menuey (mother) born 1860; and Laura Luetta, born 1897.
Page 4773
(Picture)
JOHN W. SPARKS (1838-1912) & HIS SECOND WIFE
ELIZABETH ANN (PERRY) SPARKS (1852-1910)
With Their Daughter-in-law
FLORA (TIMMENS) SPARKS (center)
(Apparently reproduced from a group photograph taken, perhaps, in 1901 when James Marshall Sparks (1875-1950) and Flora Timmens were married.)
Page 4774
(Picture)
JAMES MARSHALL SPARKS (1875-1950)
Son of John W. and Elizabeth Ann (Perry) Sparks
Page 4778
(Picture)
TOM SPARKS (1876-1963)
AND HIS WIFE, BETTIE (HENDERSON) SPARKS
(Photograph taken about 1915.)
Page 4111
Whole Number 179
Courtesy of Boyel Co. [KY] Press Observer
FAMILY OF JAMES FRANKLIN AND MISSOURI (GREEN) WHITE WITH HIS PARENTS
NELSON T. AND NANCY (SPARKS) WHITE
Front row, L-R: Nancy (Sparks) White, Amanda Susan White, and Nelson T. White holding Della Mae White.
Back row, L-R: David G. White, Missouri (Green) White holding Lucian Coleman White, James Franklin White, John Nelson White, and James Estill White.
Page 4103
Whole Number ?
PICTURE
This page contains a map of the area around Vicksburg, where a friend of William M. Sparks was killed during the War of 1812. He had asked His brother Thomas J. Sparks to visit the area where he (William) had camped.
Page 4849
Whole Number 179
Courtesy of Boyel Co. [KY] Press Observer
FAMILY OF JAMES FRANKLIN AND MISSOURI (GREEN) WHITE WITH HIS PARENTS
NELSON T. AND NANCY (SPARKS) WHITE
(picture)
Front row, L-R: Nancy (Sparks) White, Amanda Susan White, and Nelson T. White holding Della Mae White.
Back row, L-R: David G. White, Missouri (Green) White holding Lucian Coleman White, James Franklin White, John Nelson White, and James Estill White.
Page 5063
Whole Number 184
(Picture)
GRAVESTONE OF ELIZABETH (SPARKS) BRYAN
Old Methodist Cemetery Near Marthasville, Warren County, Missouri
ELIZABETH Wife of HENRY BRYAN. DIED June 25, 1863 AGED 97 yrs. 11 mos. 20 ds.
Born July 5, 1765, Elizabeth was a daughter of Jonas Sparks
Page 5068
[Here is a map of the Marthasville area of Warren County, MO, showing the grave site of Elizabeth (Sparks) Bryan]
Page 5331
Whole Number 190
DAVID FRANCIS SPARKS (1850-1914) & MARY LOUISA BRYAN (1869-1946)
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH, 1884
Courtesy of Their Great-Granddaughter
Mrs. Mary Lou Finch, Overland Park, Kansas
(See page 5367)
PHOTOGRAPH
of
William D. Sparks Discharge papers.
This part of page 5338 contains a
Map of the Yadkin Forks area
The Area in the Forks of the Yadkin That Was the Boyhood Home of
Matthew Sparks (ca.1752-1819), Son of William & Ann Sparks
Map drawn by writer's son, Christopher J. Bidlack, President, Bidlack Creative Services, Ann Arbor, MI
Photograph
Plot of tracts of land belonging To William and Ann Sparks
Page 5373
On this page is found a PHOTOGRAPH
of A SPARKS MONUMENT IN AN ABANDONED CALIFORNIA CEMETERY
PHOTOGRAPH
Headstone of Elizabeth White
Headstone of Elizabeth White
Page 5385
PHOTOGRAPH
GRAVESTONE OF WILLIAM D. SPARKS (ca.1790-1858)
Now in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery near Pilot Grove, Missouri
PICTURE
MARY C. (DUNCAN) SPARKS (1832-1911)
Wife of Richard N. Sparks
MARY C. (DUNCAN) SPARKS (1832-1911)
Wife of Richard N. Sparks
Page 5395
Whole Number 191
Photograph
MARY ANN MARIAH (SPARKS) MILNOR (1849-1931)
Daughter of David Rhodes Sparks
With Her Granddaughter, Alice Milnor Reasoner
(Photograph taken about 1920)
(See page 5404)
Whole Number 192
Picture
ADELINE JOSEPHINE SPARKS (1849-1921)
Daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Swaim) Sparks
With Her Husband
Marion DeKaib Rodgers (1842-1921)
(See page 5437)
Page 5437
Picture
John Thomas Sparks (1876-1953) John Thomas & Nancy Bell
When a Young Man Sparks, with their son
John Thomas Sparks, Jr.
When a Young Man Sparks, with their son
John Thomas Sparks, Jr.
Page 5441
PICTURE
VIVIAN SPARKS (1894-1971)
Daughter of James Albert and Irene (Roberts) Sparks
Granddaughter of Jacob and Nancy (Johnson) Sparks
Wife of Charles Thomas White
Page 5454
Whole Number 192
Picture
This page contains a map of New Castle County, Delaware as it looked in the 17th Century.
Page 5511
Whole Number 194
Picture
AUREY B. SPARKS (1816-1879)
AND HIS WIFE NANCY A. (ROE F) SPARKS (1821-1879)
Courtesy of Evadne Strohpaul-Tortellet
Page 5521
WILLIAM M. SPARKS
Son of Aurey and Nancy (Roff) Sparks
Civil War Veteran of the Union Army from New York
(See the Quarterly of March 2001 for His Pension Papers)
HORACE VAIL SPARKS (1845-1869)
Son of Aurey and Nancy (Roff) Sparks
(Courtesy of Sarah Ward Dunham)
Page 5525
GRACE MARIETTA SPARKS
Born April 23, 1865, Died November 3, 1943
Daughter of Horace & Leli.a (Smith) Sparks
(Reared by Mr. and Mrs. George Woods)
married James Hardy Westwood in January 1880
Page 5528
A PORTION OF A MAP OF WESTERN NEW YORK
INCLUDING THE COUNTIES WHERE AUREY SPARKS & HIS FAMILY LIVED
Page 5531
A PORTION OF A MAP OF MICHIGAN
INCLUDING THE COUNTIES WHERE AUREY & HARVEY SPARKS LIVED
(From Vol. X of THE CENTURY DICTIONARY AND CYCLOPEDIA, 1897)
Page 2151
Whole Number 108
(Picture)
ELIJAH SPARKS (ca.1824-1918)
WITH HIS WIFE MARY ANN (Garner) SPARKS (1843-1912)
of Sangamon County;, Illinois
Corrected Copy: Members and subscribers of The Sparks Quarterly are requested to substitute this cover of the December 1979 issue for that distributed earlier, including page 2152 on the back. The photograph originally appearing on the December 1979 cover was not that of Elijah and Mary Ann (Garner) Sparks. See page 2197 of the March 1980 issue of the Quarterly for further explanation.