Cummings N. Sprout

SPROUT

Posted By: sybil kissner (email)
Date: 9/10/2009 at 17:53:44

From "Emmetsburg Democrat" February 1905

MET DEATH BY ACCIDENT

C. N. Sprout Died from Injuries Received in Runaway

Saturday forenoon, C. N. Sprout, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of our county, was knocked down by a runaway team belonging to Alex Peddie, as he was crossing Main Street near Joyce's corner, and received injuries from which he died during the night. Three of his ribs were broken, one of them piercing his lungs. One of his eyes were closed, the result of an injury to the forehead. When picked up he was unconscious, but he rallied long enough during the afternoon to recognize several of the members of his family. Mr. Peddie is in Texas and it seems that his hired man Andrew Simonson, who is considered a very careful hand, was unloading some wood, through a window, into the cellar. When he had finished he left his team standing and went into the furnace room, which joins the room in which the wood is and fastened the windows securely from the inside. On returning to the furnace room he found the door fastened through which he had entered, some of the other help, about the house having done so without knowing that he was in the room. In this way he was unexpectedly delayed and when he got out his team had gone. They ran about the lake damaged the sled and, returning to the house, started down town. No one was able to stop them. Mr. Sprout, who is rather slow of movement and thoughtless because of his advanced age, either did not see them coming or could not get out of the way in time. He had been about the house at home and talked several times about coming uptown to get his mail, but it seems he waited just long enough to come in contact with the deadly runaway.

Cummins N. Sprout was born in Genesee County, New York, February 14, 1821. He moved to Wisconsin in September, 1845. November 15, 1852, he was united in marriage at Portage, that state, to Miss Jane Smith, who with nine sons and daughters, survive him. The sons are A. J., of Janesville, Wisconsin, and A. L., L. N., W. S., E.J., of this locality. The daughters are Mrs. Fannie Mealon, of Pittsburgh, Kansas; Mrs. Ella McComber, of Turtle Lake, North Dakota; Mrs. Matilda Thompson, of Nevada township; and Miss Ellie, who lives at home. All but one or two were home to attend the funeral.

Mr. Sprout enlisted in the Eighteenth Wisconsin volunteers February 3, 1862. He was wounded in the memorable battle of Shiloh, April 6 of that year, a ball cutting off the end of his tongue, followed around his chin and lodging in his neck. He was honorably discharged, but he re-enlisted in August, 1864, and served until the close of the war. In 1869 he came from Wisconsin to Kossuth county. In 1871 he came to Palo Alto and settled on a farm in Nevada township. In March, 1902, he moved to the city to spend his declining years.

There was no better citizen in the county than Mr. Sprout. He was rugged, civil, pleasant, manly. He was not given much to formality. He was very outspoken and he was at all times loyal to his convictions. He was a man of most exemplary habits. He was frugal and economical. He led a most satisfying life. He and his good wife must be given credit for having raised one of the most credible families in the community, for it is an unusual thing indeed to find a large family of most deserving men and women as the Sprout people are known to be. The manner in which the deceased came to us and was most unfortunate. The surviving members of the family have the sympathy of their friends and neighbors in their sorrow.

The funeral was held Tuesday. It was largely attended. Services were held at the M. E. Church and conducted by Reverend S. R. Beatty. The internment was in Evergreen Cemetery.