MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA

REGISTER OF
OLD SETTLERS
BOOK ONE



Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 442
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, January 7, 2008

DEATH OF JOHN SPARKS.
Sept 25, 1896 (hand written)

One of the oldest if not the oldest resident of Fairport, in this county, John Sparks, died at 5 o’clock this morning. Mr. Sparks was born in Adair county, Ky., Oct. 17, 1821, and was therefore nearly 75 years of age. He came to Iowa in 1844, locating at Bonaparte, in Van Buren county, and two years later removed to Fairport, which was ever since his home. For a long time Mr. Sparks was engaged in Fairport’s chief industry, the pottery business. He was also engaged in the mercantile business and more than forty years ago was partner of Elijah Sells in a store at Fairport. In 1861 Mr. Sparks was appointed Postmaster of Fairport by President Lincoln and held the position uninterruptedly till the day of his death, giving satisfaction alike to the government and to the patrons of the office.

The deceased married Miss Sarah Anderson in 1846. She died in 1858. In 1859 he married Miss Mary Penton, who survives him; also, seven children, all grown, five daughter and two sons. Two of the daughters live in Topeka, Kansas, one in Adrain Mich., one in Denver and one at the parental home. One of the sons lives in Murry, Ky., and the other. H., is railroad agent at Buffalo, Iowa.

The deceased suffered a paralytic stroke two years ago, since which he had been gradually declining. He was one of nature’s noblemen, an honest man. Religiously he was a Methodist and in politics always a Republican.

The funeral will take place at 11 o’clock on Sabbath next, 27th. Interment at Fairport.

******

John Sparks, one of the oldest residents of Fairport, in Muscatine County, died at 5 o’clock yesterday morning, aged seventy five years. Mr. Sparks had been engaged in the pottery business at Fairport for a number of years, and was also a partner in a mercantile house with Elijah Sells. He had also been postmaster of Fairport since 1861, receiving his appointment under President Lincoln. The funeral will occur next Sunday morning at 11 o’clock.


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