CHRISTIAN F. SPROW
The greater part of the life of Christian F. Sprow has
been passed in Warren township, Wayne county, where he resides
on a farm of two hundred acres located on section 14. He is a native of
Ohio, having been born in Wyandot county, that state, on the
19th of April, 1871, and is a son of Christian and
Eva (Hetzel) Sprow. The
parents were both born in Germany, but in early life they came
to America and were married in Ohio, where they made their
home until 1874. In
the year last named they came to Iowa, settling in Wayne
county. Here the
father purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land, which he
cultivated during the remainder of his active life. As time passed he
extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised two
hundred acres and upon his retirement turned the property over
to his son, Christian F., with whom he now makes his home. He is now
seventy-five years of age, while the mother, who passed away
on February 28, 1908, was seventy at the time of her demise. She was laid to
rest in the cemetery at Allerton.
Christian F. Sprow, who is the youngest in a family of
three, was a child of but three years when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to Iowa. He was educated in the common schools of
this county and upon laying aside his text-books turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing to reside on
the home place in the cultivation of which he assisted his
father until the latter’s retirement, when he assumed the
entire responsibility of its operation. The entire tract is
under cultivation, and the fields which have been brought into
a high state of productivity annually yield abundant harvests. His chief crops are
hay and grain, as he is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs
and also buys horses for the market. His farm is situated in one of the most
desirable portions of Warren township, and, being provided
with a natural drainage, and owing to the extensive
improvements made thereon by himself and father, is numbered
among the valuable properties of the county.
Mr. Sprow was married in 1900 to Miss Effie Barker, a
daughter of G. W. Barker, of this county. She was born on the
18th of January, 1876, and is the fifth in order of
birth in a family of six.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sprow there have been born three
children: Aileen,
Dwight and Guy.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. His indorsement in matters politic Mr. Sprow extends to the democratic party. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of his community and has served for one term as a member of the board of school directors. Mr. Sprow is meeting with the success in the development of his interests which is won by the man of diligent methods and definite purpose, in any line of endeavor.