Civil War Mother's Pension File of Elizabeth Sparks

SPARKS, YATES, DICKSON, MOORE, STOWE, KIRKE, BAGLY, MATTHEWS

Posted By: Nancy Downey (email)
Date: 1/25/2006 at 14:07:18

"State of Iowa
Clayton, County

McGregor Iowa May 2nd 1882
I, Mrs. Elizabeth Sparks will here certify that I am the Mother of Henry Sparks who was a member of Company C Third Iowa Infantry Vol. I am 80 years old, have lived a widow for 30 years, my post office in 1863 was Giard Clayton Co., Iowa my actual residence in that year was the Township of Farmersburg Clayton Co., Iowa. I sold my little place in the year 1866 & moved to Olmsted Co., Minn. I remained there until about a year ago. I came back to Iowa my post office address since I returned has been McGregor Clayton Co., Iowa. I had at the time of my son Henry's death 12 children Living, my oldest daughter's name is Mrs. Patsy Yates Her age in 1863 was 43 years, my next youngest was Allen Sparks who was married at that time his age in 1863 was 41 years, he was a member of Company C Third Iowa Vol. The next one is Barton Sparks he was also married. His age was 39 years in 63. James Sparks is next -he was a member of an Indiana regiment-the number of which I have forgotten, his age in 63 was 37 years. He was married, the next one was Mrs. Harriet Dickson. Her age was 35 years in 63, her husband was a member of an Indiana regiment--Next is Cyrus Sparks his age in 63 was 33 years, he was married. The next one was Joseph Sparks he also was married. In 63 his age was 31 years, he was a member of a Minn. regiment--he died while in service at Helena, Ark. in the year 1863. Next who died in the year 1856 her name was Rebecca Moore. Her age in 63 would have been if living 29 years. The next in order was Henry Sparks who was a member of Company C Third Iowa Infantry Vol. His age when his death occured in the year 1863 was 27 years, he was not married. Next is William Sparks whose age was 25 years in 63 he was not married he was an invalid he was afflicted with the white swelling in one leg which rendered him almost helpless. The next is Mrs. Mary Stowe. Her age in 63 was 23 years. Next is Mrs. Elizabeth Kirke her age in 63 was 21 years. Next is John Sparks whose age in 63 was 18 years, he was an invalid Also he had white swelling in his ankle which made him almost helpless he is my youngest child. I Further state that no persons has been legally bound to support me since the death of my son Henry Sparks he was my main support for he was the Only able bodied Son unmarried. I sold my piece of land in 1866 to Horace Bagly. I received $500 Dollars for it. that small amount was used up in a short time since that money is gone I have no means of support --for the last ten years my son Henry Sparks sent me money twice while He was in the United States Service. My post office address is McGregor Clayton Co., Iowa my age is 80 years.
Elizabeth Sparks (her x mark)

in presence of
Isaac Matthews
Estella Sparks

Subscribed and sworn to by Elizabeth Sparks before me this 6th day of May 1882 and I certify that I have no interest in the above claim.
Isaac Matthews
Justice of the Peace"