J. Frank Sprague (1880-1941)

SPRAGUE, HEAVRIN, SAX, MORGAN

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 10/3/2019 at 11:01:12

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier August 12, 1941
Photo posted with obit
J. Frank Sprague 61, widely known Ottumwa merchant, died at his home 332 West Fifth street, at 5 a.m. today. He had been ill four years. Mr. Sprague was born in Ottumwa June 2, 1880, the son of David and Mary Heavrin Sprague. He attended Ottumwa school, and at 16 started to work for the late J.B. Sax. When he was 23, Mr. Sprague went to Deadwood S.D. to manage a store. He later moved to Sterling, Colorado and then back to Ottumwa to take charge of the Iowa Clothing Co. On leaving that store, Mr. Sprague joined the Sardeson-Hovland Co. and was manager of Ladies Ready To Wear store in Ottumwa. Thereafter he managed stores for Sardeson-Hovland in Lincoln, Nebraska, Iowa City, Alton, Illinois, Vincennes, Illinois, Ottumwa and Bay City Michigan. When he returned to the management of the Ottumwa store., the name of the store was changed to "Spragues." He married Miriam Morgan of Ottumwa in 1899. She survives him. Also surviving are a son (obit cut off at this point)

Sprague Services
Private services for J. Frank Sprague, who died at his home Tuesday morning, will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Lester Jay funeral home. The Rev. Richard Paul Graebel, D.D. of the First Presbyterian church will be in charge. Burial will be in the Ottumwa cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Walter T. McElroy, Charles, L. Schafer, Ben Grotz, E.E. Mead, Fred Hardscog, and Sam H. Harper. Honorary pallbearers will be Delbert Wareham of Iowa City, Lewis A. Allen, Clint Adler, C.E. Burns, Clifford Maher, of Rock Island, Harry W. Davis, E.L. Leslie, M.J. Rogers, Harry E. Swenson, Carl Strub of Iowa City, Fred Carter, J.W. Hahn and Pat Maloney. The body will be taken to the residence at 7 p.m. today, and will be returned to the funeral home at 10 a.m. Thursday.