Sprague, J. W.

SPRAGUE, SMITH, FROST, CLARK, SAWYER

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 2/14/2013 at 09:11:03

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

SPRAGUE, J.W.—Madison Twp—pg 960-1. Farmer and stock-raiser, section 2, P.O. Chelsea, Tama county, Iowa. Was born March 8, 1817, in Providence, Rhode Island, where after quitting school he worked in N.W. Sprague’s paint works until 1833, when he moved to Ohio, there engaging as clerk for some months in a grocery store. He learned the printer’s trade in Marion, Ohio, and worked at it till 1836, when he moved to Dixon, Illinois, there remaining a short time, then to Ogle county, Illinois, and engaged in farming till 1854, when he came to Iowa and settled in this county, where he now lives and owns 215 acres all in a good state of cultivation except a few acres which are timber land. He has a good house, barn, orchard and many modern improvements on the same. He has been called upon to fill many positions of trust, which he did with credit to himself and satisfaction to his neighbors. Mr. Sprague has been twice married; first, in 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Williams county, Ohio. The result of this union is ten children: William Henry, Albert G. (both died when young), Adaline )now the wife of Henry Frost, of California), William H. (now married), Hannah Jane (now the wife of Alonzo Clark, of Nebraska), Albert G., Eunice D., John W., May and Thomas. Mrs. Sprague died May 12, 1861, leaving a large family and many friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Sprague, for his second wife, married in this county, Mrs. Angeline Sawyer, of Lee county, Illinois, on September 12, 1865. From this union they have three children: Charles D. (aged thirteen), Ruby A. (aged ten), Jessie A. (age seven).