Sparks, J. R.

SPARKS, MATTHEWS, HAMMER, SHERMAN NOBLE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/3/2008 at 12:18:32

SPARKS, J. R.
Farmer; Sec. 10; P. O. Lynnville; owns 375 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Adair Co., Ky., March 16, 1806; moved to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1826, and to this State in 1836, settling in Lee Co., where he remained until 1845, when, in the month of March, he moved to this county, entering the land, and settling where he now lives; at that time, there were but two settlers in what is now Lynn Grove Tp.; Mr. SPARKS, as one of the pioneers of this county, has always been foremost to aid in its progress and development; he built the first log cabin in Lynnville, and also the grist-mill now standing at that place; farmers have come 100 miles to get their grain converted into flour at his mill; the first post office in that part of the county was kept by him; the first preaching in the neighborhood was held in his house; the first school was taught in his kitchen. Married Elizabeth MATTHEWS in Morgan Co., Ill., Oct. 6, 1828; she was born in Green Co., Ky., Jan. 7, 1806; they have five living children, and six deceased-Jeremiah S., Margaret W. (who was the wife of Jesse HAMMER, and died in 1860, aged 30 years), Matthew T. was a member of Co. K, 5th I. V. I., and died in Andersonville prison about July 9, 1864, aged 30 years; Peninah (now Mrs. SHERMAN); Wm. H. was a member of Co. B., 5th I. V. I., and died at Andersonville prison about Sept. 1, 1864, aged 24 years; John B., residing with his parents; Elizabeth S. (now Mrs. NOBLE), and Samuel T.; also a grand child resides with them, whom they have raised from infancy, named Emma HAMMER. ~ "Lynn Grove Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)