Edward SPARLING / Mary SMITH

INDEX

[195] Edward and Mary are strays, but this is the likely placement ??? Was in Canada by 1832. Edward and Mary supposedly had 12 children

[540] Surname may be Smith

[541] William Sparling Biography


This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 965

Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,[email protected], 1998.

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WILLIAM SPARLING, an honored resident of Jefferson township, in Spink county, is one of the pioneer settlers of Dakota whose indomitable will, supplemented by his genuine integrity, has placed him in position of affluence in his declining years. His fine estate comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and his pleasant home is on section 8, where he is surrounded by more than usual comforts.

Our subject is a native of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, and was born November 10, 1832. He was the eldest of eight children born to Edward and Mary (Smith) Sparling, both of whom were natives of County Limerick, Ireland. Our subject engaged in farming in his native country until thirty years of age, when he came to the United States with his wife and children, and worked at lumbering in Oceana county, Michigan. He removed to Audubon county, Iowa, where he farmed for two years, going from there to Minnesota, and later to Dakota, in 1879. His finances were at a low ebb, and he built a house part sod and part dugout. During the first week prairie fire swept into the timber, burning his household effects, wagon and provisions he had brought with him, also hay and grain for feed for his stock. The family went five miles down the river and there lived in an old sod house, and our subject went in search of employment. He obtained a job of putting in a dam, and then afoot went to Minnesota and worked in the woods. It was indeed a hard year and his present easy circumstances, surrounded by his children and his grandchildren, in peaceful old age, contrast strikingly with the hardships endured in the early days. It was only through determination and an unlimited amount of courage, that he made a home for himself. and family, and no man throughout that section of the state is more deserving of praise.

Through all the struggles of the dark days he received the cheerful encouragement of his estimable wife, who bore the trials with a fortitude unexcelled, caring for her pioneer home and children in a noble manner, rearing her family to kindness and industry. Mrs. Sparling became the wife of our subject in 1854, and her maiden name was Mary J. Trelford. She departed this life January 6, 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparling eight children were born, as follows: Henry; Edward; Joseph, a resident of Washington state; Mary A., now Mrs. C. M. Thomas, residing in Colorado; John, a resident of Washington state; Ann A., now Mrs. C. Lower; Lillie M., now Mrs. I. Sayles; and Caroline A., now Mrs. Thomas Becker.

[542] Staying with Brother Edward and his wife Gertude

[543] DOD may be 28 jan 1932

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