C I Sparks

SPARKS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:59:29

C I Sparks, who is filling the position of county attorney of Boone county is one of the younger members of the bar of this locality, but has attained creditable position as a representative of the legal fraternity and sets at naught the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his worn country, for Mr sparks is a native of Jackson township. His birth occurred on December 22, 1872, his parents being A B And Jennie R (Weston) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Isaac and Catherine Sp0arks, who lived in Ohio for some years, removing thence to Boone county, Iowa where their remaining days were passed. The father of our subject was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1850, locating first in Jackson township upon a farm., where he carried on agricultural pursuits until about three years ago, since which time he has lived retired. He was a progressive farmer, following modern methods and using the latest improved machinery that would facilitate his work. He married Jennie R Weston, a native of Jefferson county, New York, and a daughter of Charles Weston, who was the first Republican county clerk of Boone county, He also filled other political positions, serving as a member of the board of supervisors, as township trustee and township assessor, He had three brothers, Judson: Clark, who is living in Oxbow, New York, and John, who was killed in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, in the Civil War. Mr and Mrs Sparks are now residing in Boone and the father is fifty-three years of age. He is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In their family were the following children: Charles Isaac, Augusta W, Jeremy N, George A, Lawrence B, Bernice Edna, Miranda J and Dorothy.
After acquiring his elementary education in the district schools Mr Sparks of this review, continued his studies in Simpson College at Indianola, Warren county, Iowa where he pursued a four years’ course. Not wishing to follow the plow as a life work, but desiring to enter upon a professional career, in 1895 he took up the study of law in Iowa City, Iowa, completing his course by graduation in June, 1896. He then began practice in Boone in the same month and has since been a well known factor at the bar of this county, winning distinction by reason of his thorough knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and the correctness with which he applies these to the points of litigation. He is also very prominent in political circles and in 1897 became chairman of the Republican central committee, at which time he was the youngest county chairman in the state. With excellent foresight and ability he planned the work of the party and his labors contributed in no small degree to its success. In 1898 he was elected county attorney by a majority of four hundred and fifty and entered upon the duties of the office in January 1899. In 1900 he was elected for a second term by an increased majority of over seventeen hundred, although he ran against one of the strongest men in the Democratic party. The large vote was certainly an indication of his personal popularity and of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He was only twenty-four yeas of age when made chairman of the Republican central committee and was about twenty-five when elected county attorney, probably the youngest candidate ever chosen for such an office in Iowa. That he discharged his duties with marked capability and without fear or favor is beyond question. He is strong in argument and his deductions follow in logical sequence. He has won several notable cases and the profession as well as the public accord in a leading place in its ranks.
On September 28, 1895, Mr Sparks was united in marriage to Ida D Roberts, a daughter of E D and Catherine Roberts, natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively. Her grandfather was a member of Abraham Lincoln’s company in the Black Hawk war. He served as inspector of county mines for a long period and was a prominent and influential citizen of his community. The marriage of Mr and Mrs Sparks has been blessed with two children: Catherine D and Charles Alden. Mr Sparks is a valued member of Mount Olive Lodge, No 79, F & A M, and of Central Lodge, No 73, K P. He is also identified with the Bar Association, Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won him prestige as a lawyer at a bar which numbers many prominent and able men.

1902 Boone County History Book