Leroy D Sparks

SPARKS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/26/2010 at 11:37:54

Leroy D Sparks long occupied a creditable position in the business circles of Boone, where for a quarter of a century he conducted a meat market. He is now occupying an attractive home, which stands in the midst of a farm of 35 acres within the corporation limits of the city. A native of Boone county, he was born February 9, 1853 a son of Thomas and Esther (Dunn) Sparks, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but were reared upon Ohio farms. The father came to Iowa in 1846 when many evidences of pioneer life were still to be seen here. He then returned to the east and was married Pennsylvania, he and his wife coming to Boone in 1852. They settled upon a farm, the father devoting his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, He was very active in public connections and was the first county surveyor of Boone county. He also held a number of township offices and labored effectively and earnestly for the welfare and up building of the community. He died August 20, 1910 after a residence of more than a half century in this state, during which period he had won the high respect and good will of those with whom he had been associated. His widow still lives in Boone at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. In their family were twelve children: Leroy D, Fremont, living in Boone, E V who is now deceased, Asenith, who is the widow of Lewis Fremont and makes her home in San Francisco, California, James G a resident of Los Angeles, California, John C of Boone, Nettie the wife of Joseph Hitsman of Luther, Iowa, a son who died in infancy, Belle, who also died in infancy, Frank deceased, Robert living in Kansas City, Missouri and Playford of Boone.
Leroy D Sparks has spent his entire life in the county of his nativity and at seventeen years of age took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three terms. He afterward carried on farming for twelve years and then established his home in Boone, where he opened a meat market, which he conducted for a quarter of a century. He always carried a good line of meat, made very possible effort to please his patrons and for many years enjoyed an excellent trade that brought him a substantial, gratifying and well earned profit. He has now retired form the meat business and lies upon his farm, which is splendidly improved, his being one of the attractive homes in the city.
On September 30, 1874, Mr Sparks was untied in marriage to Miss Luella Stevens, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Jacob and Lucretia (Brown) Stevens, natives of Pennsylvania and of Vermont respectively,. In 1865 they came to Boone and the father, a butcher by trade, was connected with the meat business in this city. He died December 21, 1902, while his wife passed away January 8, 1894. In their family were six children: Mrs Sparks, Ida the wife of John Kail, George of Boone, Mary and Jacob who have passed away, and Daisy the wife of William Stange, of Chicago. To Mr and Mrs Sparks have been born six children: George B and James G both of Boone, Ralph Leroy ad Gertrude L , at home, Mary Alma the wife of Chester Gonse, of Valley Junction, and Harry Stevens, at home.
In his political views Mr Sparks is independent, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He has filled township offices, including those of assessor and township clerk. Fraternally he is a Mason and also holds membership with eh Woodmen of the World. For more than sixty years he has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred in Boone county, has seen its growth and development and has aided I its progress. That his has been a well spent life indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him form his boyhood to the present time.

1914 Boone County History Book