July 20, 2023
Pages 1541-1545
Whole Number 81
DESCENDANTS OF
37.2.3 RICHARD AND LUCY (DEVORE) SPARKS
by Lillian Blair
37.2.3 Richard Sparks, third child of Thomas and Abigail (Shaw) Sparks (see preceding page) was born August 5, 1805, in Salem County, New Jersey. He married Lucy DeVore on March 13, 1828, in Ohio. It is not imown for sure just when he moved to Ohio, but Richard and Lucy came to Illinois in October 1854. Lucy DeVore (or Devore) was raised by the Shakers in a colony in Ohio. Her mother died when she was three years old and her father died when she was ten.
Lucy had a brother named Jack DeVore and a sister named Mary DeVore. The girls ran away to marry. Mary DeVore married a David Judy, I believe in Illinois. Lucy DeVore was born May 17, 1808, and died on May 5, 1883. Richard Sparks died on April 13, 1884.
When Richard and Lucy came to Illinois, they settled on a farm about four miles south-east of Mackinaw. After his death, the farm was auctioned and the sale biII was printed on linen. It has been framed and is in the possession of a great-granddaughter, Lillian Blair, the author of this sketch.
Richard and Lucy (DeVore) Sparks were the parents of ten children:
37.2.3.1 John H. Sparks, born December 28, 1828.
37.2.3.2 Mary Judy Sparks, born March 14, 1830.
37.2.3.3 Robert Walker Sparks, born February 1, 1832.
37.2.3.4 Charlotte C. Sparks, born August 3, 1834.
37.2.3.5 Francis Marion Sparks, born August 25, 1837.
37.2.3.6 Lucy Jane Sparks, born November 16, 1839.
37.2.3.7 Thomas W. Sparks, born April 11, 1842.
37.2.3.8 Abigail Leatherine Sparks, born December 12, 1844.
37.2.3.9 Richard Sparks, Jr., born March 3, 1847.
37.2.3.10 Laura Catherine Sparks, born January 27, 1850.37.2.3.1 John H. Sparks, son, was born December 28, 1928, and died on April 24, 1829, age three months.
37.2.3.2 Mary Judy Sparks, daughter, was born March 14, 1830. She married Felix Lindsey, a farmer; they lived in Wenona, Kansas. She died on February 15, 1901, at the age of 70 years, 11 months and 1 day. Their children were:
37.2.3.2.1 Florence Lindsey; she married Will Marker.
37.2.3.2.2 Eve Lindsey; she married Zach Davis.
37.2.3.2.3 Charlie Lindsey.
37.2.3.2.4 Lenna Lindsey; she married Ed Hazel and had a son37.2.3.2.4.1 Lyle Hazel.
37.2.3.3 Robert Walker Sparks, son, was born February 1, 1832, and died on March 27, 1905. He married Sarah Sargent. Their children were:
37.2.3.3.1 Maggie Myrtle Sparks, born July 30, 1869, died September 14, 1873.
37.2.3.3.2 Bertha Imogene Sparks, born August 11, 1872, died August 20, 1945. She married James Franklin Williams on December 17, 1902. He died on September 28, 1946. Their children were:37.2.3.3.2.1 Robert Wayne Williams, born August 20, 1905, married Laura Dale Potter;
37.2.3.3.2.2 Anna Lucille Williams, born September 12, 1909, married Clarence (Larry) Maus;
37.2.3.3.2.3 Lenore Isabel Williams, born February 29, 1912;
37.2.3.3.2.4 Lillian Margaret Williams, born October 25, 1913; and
37.2.3.3.2.5 an unnamed baby lived 3 days.37.2.3.3.3 Robert Leslie Sparks, born July 6, 1875, died April 27, 1964. He married Pauline DeGraff on January 18, 1934. No children.
37.2.3.3.4 Lelia Winifred Sparks, born September 15, 1878, died May 8, 1963. She married Charles Otis Bennett on June 5, 1902. He was born July 18, 1878, and died January 1, 1957. Their children were:37.2.3.3.4.1 Margaret Clair Bennett, born June 2, 1903; she married Otto Von Boeckman; he died December 26, 1952. They had two children:
37.2.3.3.4.1.1 Margaret Louise Von Boeckman, born April 6, 1923, who married A. Agacucci and had children named
37.2.3.3.4.1.1 Marcus Agacucci and
37.2.3.3.4.1.1 Cynthia Agacucci.37.2.3.3.4.1.2 Mary Von Boeckman, born July 18, died September 26, 1966, who married Robert Genseal and had children named
37.2.3.3.4.1.2.1 Robert Joseph Genseal and
37.2.3.3.4.1.2.2 Suson Genseal.37.2.3.3.4.2 Arthur Jansen Bennett, born September 6, 1906. Not married.
37.2.3.3.4.3 Charles Vernon Bennett, born October 19, 1908; he married Evelyn Schwarzentruber on September 7, 1929. She died March 6, 1971. They had children named:37.2.3.3.4.3.1 David Norman Bennett, born September 4, 1933, who married Patricia Windson and had
37.2.3.3.4.3.1.1 Rhonda Bennett;
37.2.3.3.4.3.2 Danny Lee Bennett, born January 12, 1938, who married Shirley Weindel and had children named
37.2.3.3.4.3.2.1 Donald Lee Bennett,
37.2.3.3.4.3.2.2 Gary Lee Bennett, and
37.2.3.3.4.3.2.3 Douglas Lee Bennett.37.2.3.3.4.3.3 Roy Charles Bennett, born October 10, 1942, who married Lois Dewey and had children named
37.2.3.3.4.3.3.1 Natalie Sue Bennett and
37.2.3.3.4.3.3.2 Julie Ann Bennett.37.2.3.3.4.4 Helen Louise Bennett, born November 10, 1909; she married Roy Kilby; no children.
37.2.3.3.4.5 Jack Miller Bennett, born March 6, 1912; he married Frances Bruce and had children named37.2.3.3.4.5.1 June Ellen Bennett and
37.2.3.3.4.5.2 Carter Bennett.37.2.3.3.5 Gertrude Melinda Sparks, born October 3, 1880, died December 1, 1880.
37.2.3.3.6 Baby Sparks whose name is not known, apparently died at birth.37.2.3.4 Charlotte C. Sparks, daughter, was born August 3, 1834, and died September 10, 1834, at age 1 year 1 month.
37.2.3.5 Francis Marion Sparks, son, was born April 25, 1837, and died at Buffalo, Illinois, on August 11, 1903. He married Rebecca Jane Walker. Their children were:
37.2.3.5.1 Lucy B. Sparks, died April 29, 1864 at age 1 year, 10 months and 2 days.
37.2.3.5.2 Richard Sparks, born in 1866, no record of death.
37.2.3.5.3 Charles Orlando Sparks, born in 1864 and died in 1939. He married Cora Penner (1879 -1953). They are both buried in the old section of Mackinaw Cemetery. (Nearby are the graves of 37.2.3.5.3.1 Elmer H. Sparks (1886 -1938) and 37.2.3.5.3.7 Lou Sparks (1895 -1953); these may be children of Charles and Cora Sparks, but I cannot state this as a fact.) (Webmaster - they are in fact sons).
37.2.3.5.4 Frank (Francis Marion) Sparks, married Grace Leyton. Guy was adopted and reared in the home of some people named Kinsey and carried their name.37.2.3.5.4.1 Guy Sparks, born November 28, 1895, and
37.2.3.5.4.2 Ralph Harold Sparks, born June 2, 1897.37.2.3.5.5 Lora or Laura or Lauradette Sparks, born 1868.
37.2.3.5.6 Amos Sparks, born in 1873; lived in Mahomet, Illinois.
37.2.3.5.7 Lewis Sparks, born in 1875.37.2.3.6 Lucy Jane Sparks, daughter, was born November 16, 1839, died January 15, 1918. She married Amos Stoner, a flour miller. Their children were:
37.2.3.6.1 Lucy Ann Stoner, died at 7 months;
37.2.3.6.2 Joseph Stoner;
37.2.3.6.3 Richard Stoner;
37.2.3.6.4 Del Stoner; and
37.2.3.6.5 Buford Stoner.37.2.3.7 Thomas W. Sparks, son, was born April 11, 1812, and died at Camp Crook, South Dakota, on June 28, 1895. He married Mary Adilade Parmele who was born May 7, 1818, and died May 23, 18xx. Their children were:
37.2.3.7.1 Adah Alice Sparks, born December 3, 1870, died February 4, 1884, age 13 years and 2 months.
37.2.3.7.2 Mabel Emily Sparks, born February, 1873 (she was called May).
37.2.3.7.3 Horace Wabb Sparks, born August 4, 1875.
37.2.3.7.4 Oral Seth Sparks, born September 23, 1877, died February 3, 1884, age 8 years 11 months.
37.2.3.7.5 Lucy Merab Sparks, born June 4, 1879, died March 12, 1880, age 9 months.
37.2.3.7.6 Richard Lucius Sparks, born March 16, 1881, died July 18, 1881, age 4 months.
37.2.3.7.7 Julia Bell Sparks, born July 9, 1883, died March 11, 1885.
37.2.3.7.8 Dellia Adilade Sparks, born July 9, 1883 (twin of Julia Bell) and died February 18, 1884.
37.2.3.7.9 Louis Thomas Sparks, born January 18, 1884.
37.2.3.7.10 Addie Rosetta Sparks, born July 4, 1887, died December 4, 1888.(The information on the children of Thomas and Adilade Sparks was taken from a letter that Adilade wrote to Richard Sparks, brother of Thomas. The letter was found in the family Bible. Only three of the ten children lived to become adults.).
37.2.3.8 Abigail Leatherine Sparks, daughter, was born December 12, 1844, and died on January 14, 1873. She married Lewis Hittle. Their children were:
37.2.3.8.1 Sophanna Blanche Hittle, born May 15, 1866, died January 14, 1921. She married Jesse Wilson who was born October 23, 1871, and died August 17, 1940. Their children:
37.2.3.8.1.1 Walter E. Wilson, born March 14, 1889, died April 10, 1948; he married, first, Jessie Caton and, second, Bertha Duran;
37.2.3.8.1.2 Orvetta Wilson, born May 26, 1891, died May 22, 1949; she married Charles Phipps who died October 6, 1934; they had two children,37.2.3.8.1.2.1 Orvette Florine Wilson born May 20, 1913, and
37.2.3.8.1.2.2 Walter Harold Wilson, born April 11, 1916.37.2.3.8.2 Orval Eugene Hittle, born January 11, 1870, died August 21, 1950. He married Ada Huff. Their children were
37.2.3.8.2.1 Florence Annette Hittle, born November 15, 1902, who married James Clark; and
37.2.3.8.2.2 Franklin Robert Hittle, born October 12, 1919, was killed on September 16, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.37.2.3.8.3 Maude Pearl Hittle, born May 11, 1873, died August 30, 1948. She married Benjamin F. Miller, who was born March 20, 1873. Their children were:
37.2.3.8.3.1 Hazel Juanita Miller, born April 30, 1895; she married, first, Ernest Stent and, second, Ray Fluegal;
37.2.3.8.3.2 Sophanna Marie Miller, born August 9, 1899, married Charles Johnson; and
37.2.3.8.3.3 Philip Teaford Miller, born October 30, 1907, died October 29, 1972; he married, first, Edith White and, second, Mrs. Helen Gorden.37.2.3.8.4 Roy Lee Hittle, born January 30, 1878, died October 15, 1918. He married Edna Davidson who was born June 9, 1878, and died November 25, 1963. Their children were
37.2.3.8.4.1 Vernon Carlyle Hittle, born July 31, 1902; and
37.2.3.8.4.2 Dorothy Lee Hittle, born October 14, 1918.37.2.3.9 Richard Sparks, Jr., son, was born in Greene County, Ohio, on March 3, 1847; he died on October 3, 1916. He married Cassandra Finks on September 10, 1873. She was the daughter of Robert Sanford and Lucy McQueen Finks and was born October 16, 1855. She died February 6, 1889. They had three children. Richard Sparks, Jr., then married Susan Wilson who was born April 17, 1857, and she died December 29, 1922. The children of Richard and Cassandra Sparks were:
37.2.3.9.1 Claude G. Sparks, born January 9, 1875, died October 6, 1945. He married Ethel Puterbaugh, daughter of Hartzell and Puella Puterbaugh. They had one child,
37.2.3.9.1.1 Dorothy Sparks, who was born November 30, 1902 and died July 25, 1971. She married Francis Stillman. Both died the same day, just an hour apart, of heart attacks. No children.
37.2.3.9.2 Sanford Hugh Sparks, born October 25, 1876, died April 2, 1938. He married Florence Broyhill on November 28, 1901. She was born May 30, 1880, and was a daughter of Charles and Frances Broyhill of Aflentown, Illinois. She died July 18, 1909, from burns suffered while sereing a chicken. They had the following children:
37.2.3.9.2.1 Lillian Cassandra Sparks, born September 20, 1902; married William Bryan Blair on November 29, 1924. He was born April 7, 1896, the son of David and Annie Blair. He died November 29, 1957. They had eight children:
37.2.3.9.2.1.1 Florence Annette Blair, born September 5, 1925; married James McFadin and had children named
37.2.3.9.2.1.1.1 Michael James, born January 31, 1958, and
37.2.3.9.2.1.1.2 Linda Annette, born October 31,1959.37.2.3.9.2.1.2 William Bryan Blair, Jr., born February 4, 1928. He married, first, Margaret (Peggy) Pollack Rapp who died February 22, 1956; he then married Doris Hett, born April 16, 1927. by his first wife he had a son named
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.1 William Bryan Blair III, born January 22, 1954.
by his second wife he had
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.2 David Scott Blair, born June 12, 1961, and
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.3 Shelley Lynn Blair, born December 10, 1966.37.2.3.9.2.1.3 Dorothy Ellen Blair, born December 25, 1929; married Cloyed Johnson. They had three children:
37.2.3.9.2.1.3.1 Cassandra Sue Johnson, born October 21, 1948;
37.2.3.9.2.1.3.2 John William Johnson, born August 9, 1953; and
37.2.3.9.2.1.3.3 Lora Donelle Johnson, born September 10, 1954.37.2.3.9.2.1.4 Marilyn Louise Blair, born November 17, 1931; married Walter E. King; no children.
37.2.3.9.2.1.5 Donald Robert Blair, born September 10, 1933; married Mary Lee Garmers. They have four children:37.2.3.9.2.1.5.1 Mark Douglas Blair, born August 9, 1955;
37.2.3.9.2.1.5.2 Jamine Kay Blair, born September 3, 1956;
37.2.3.9.2.1.5.3 Rebecca Lynn Blair, born April 29, 1958; and
37.2.3.9.2.1.5.4 Jill Elaine Blair, born February 15, 1962.37.2.3.9.2.1.6 Richard Warren Blair, born April 25, 1937; married Maribel M. Meiner. They have two children:
37.2.3.9.2.1.6.1 Joseph Warren Blair, born December 8, 1965; and
37.2.3.9.2.1.6.2 Pamela Jane Blair, born April 19, 1968.37.2.3.9.2.1.7 Judith Ann Blair, born February 12, 1939; she married Carl Meiner. They had three children:
37.2.3.9.2.1.7.1 Sheryl Leigh Meiner, born April 2, 1958;
37.2.3.9.2.1.7.2 Randall David Meiner, born February 9, 1960; and
37.2.3.9.2.1.7.3 Peggy Sue Meiner, born April 7, 1961.37.2.3.9.2.1.8 Ellis Wayne Blair, born July 14, 1941; married Delores Thames. They had two children:
37.2.3.9.2.1.8.1 Bryan Shaun Blair, born June 23, 1966; and
37.2.3.9.2.1.8.2 Christopher Alan Blair, born November 2, 1969.37.2.3.9.2.1.2 Inez Day Sparks, daughter of Sanford Hugh and Florence (Broyhill) Sparks, was born October 30, 1904. She married James Stanley Towers who was born November 19, 1903, and died December 16, 1953. They had one son,
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.1 James Hugh Towers, who was born April 5, 1938, and married Karen Parish; their children are
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.1.1 Stanley Michael Towers, born August 6, 1969, and
37.2.3.9.2.1.2.1.2 Jennifer Ann Towers, born February 28, 1971.37.2.3.9.2.1.3 Robert Leonard Sparks, son of Sanford Hugh and Florence (Broyhill) Sparks, was born September 11, 1906, and died November 28, 1969. He married Ruby Miller who was born September 17, 1900. No children.
37.2.3.9.2.1.4 Bertrand Houston Sparks, son of Sanford Hugh and Florence (Broyhill) Sparks, was born January 18, 1908. He married Doreen Puterbaugh who was born November 25, 1909, daughter of Ralph and Stella Puterbaugh. They had one daughter:
37.2.3.9.2.1.4.1 Carolyn Puterbaugh, who was born January 22, 1914, and married Larry McCoy.
37.2.3.9.3 Glenn Roecee Sparks, son of Richard Sparks, Jr., and his first wife, Cassandra Finks, was born November 17, 1878, and died on October 11, 1884, at the age of 5 years and 11 months, of diphtheria.
by his second wife, Susan Wilson, Richard Sparks, Jr., had two children:
37.2.3.9.4 Benjamin Richard William Sparks, born April 3, 1882, and died February 16, 1943. He never married.
37.2.3.9.5 Sallie Mary Lucy Sparks, born October 23, 1883, and died May 30, 1966. She never married.
37.2.3.10 Laura Catherine Sparks, daughter of Richard and Lucy (DeVore) Sparks, was born January 27, 1850 and died in 1934. She married George Phillips who was killed in a train wreck. Their children were:
37.2.3.10.1 Leota Phillips, married George Field.
37.2.3.10.2 Georgia Phillips, married, first, FNU Hess; second Chester Hamilton.
37.2.3.10.3 Jessie Phillips, married John Barnard and had a daughter:37.2.3.10.3.1 Gertrude Phillips.
She married, second, FNU Richards.
Pages 1711-1712
Whole Number 89
RICHARD AND LUCY (DE VORE) SPARKS
 |
 |
| 37.2.3 RICHARD SPARKS | LUCY (DE VORE) SPARKS |
| Born 1805 | Born 1808 |
| Died 1884 | Died 1883 |
In the March 1973 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 81, pp. 1541-1545, we published an article on 37.2.3 Richard Sparks (1805-1884) and his wife, Lucy (DeVore) Sparks (1808-1883). Mrs. Lillian Blair of Mackinaw, Illinois, who furnished much of the data for that article, has since succeeded in obtaining photographs of Richard and Lucy (De Vore) Sparks from which we were able to obtain prints for reproduction on the cover of this issue of the Quarterly. We do not know when these photographs were taken, but it was probably not many years before they died.
37.2.3 Richard Sparks was born August 5, 1805, in Salem County, New Jersey. He was the third child of 37.2 Thomas and Abigail (Shaw) Sparks. He came with his parents to Greene County, Ohio, as a small child. Richard Sparks married Lucy De Vore on March 13, 1828; she had been reared by the Shakers in a colony in Ohio, her mother having died when she was three years old, but she ran away from the colony to marry. She was born May 17, 1808.
Richard and Lucy (De Vore) Sparks moved to Illinois in October 1854. They settled on a farm about four miles southeast of Mackinaw in Tazewell County. Richard Sparks died on April 13, 1884; Lucy (De Vore) Sparks died on May 5, 1883.