Obit: Sparks, James F. (1818 - 1902)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: SPARKS HOWE CALKINS McNALLY STGERMAIN PICKERING

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 06/12/1902

Sparks, James F. (23 Jul 1818 - 1 JUN 1902)

James F. Sparks, son of Thomas Sparks and Mary Howe, was born July 23, 18181 in Scholle Co., N.Y. He married Sylvia Calkins, Aug. 20, 1837. Mr. Sparks moved with his family to Wis. in the Spring of 1869, and settled in Plainfield, where he lived until 1874, when he moved to Sherwood, Clark County, and lived with his children until his death, which occurred June 1, 1902.

All his children except Emily McNally of Binghamton, N.Y., are still living. Five sons and two daughters, forty-six grandchildren and forty-three great-grandchildren survive him. His daughters are Elizabeth St. Germain and Hannah Pickering, his sons, Thomas, James, John, Jesse and Robert Sparks.

In 1861 Mr. Sparks united with the Free Will Baptist Church and he has always been a consistent Christian. He worked and prayed for the coming of the kingdom of righteousness in the world, and at the last was eager for release from the bondage of the flesh that he might depart and be with his Lord and enter into his rest. He died at the home of his daughter Elizabeth St. Germain. He was conscious almost to the end, and his sons James and John and Mrs. St. Germain were with him and witnessed his departure.

The funeral was held on Wednesday June 4, at the town hall in Sherwood. Rev. G.W. Longenecker of Neillsville officiated, the body was interred in the Sherwood Cemetery.