January 24, 2022

Pages 3687-3703
Whole Number 152

1.2.1.2.2.12 HARDY SPARKS (ca.1782-ca.1855)
SON OF 1.2.1.2.2 MATTHEW AND SARAH (THOMPSON) SPARKS

by Paul E. Sparks



[Editor's Note: 1.2.1.2.2 Matthew and Sarah (Thompson) Sparks of early Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia, had eleven sons and two daughters. Articles about five of their sons (John, Absalom, Matthew, William, and Jesse) have been published in earlier issues of the Quarterly. Here we present information about another son, Hardy Sparks, and some of his descendants. For further details regarding Matthew and Sarah (Thompson) Sparks, Hardy's parents, see the June 1961 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 34.]

1.2.1.2.2.12 Hardy Sparks, probably the youngest of the thirteen children of Matthew and Sarah (Thompson) Sparks, was born ca. 1782 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He was born just about the time that his parents left Wilkes County to move to the Oconee River Valley in northeast Georgia where they settled near the present-day town of Athens. He was probably carried as a baby on that journey.

After the death of his father in November 1793 (he was killed by hostile Indians), Hardy probably made his home with one of his brothers. He grew to manhood in Georgia, and it was probably there that he married Mary Hale ca. 1805. She was born ca. 1790 in North Carolina and was quite likely a daughter of Isaiah Hale, a Revolutionary War soldier and an early settler in Hickman County, Tennessee.

Shortly after their marriage, Hardy and Mary, probably in the company of his brothers 1.2.1.2.2.8 Jesse Sparks, 1.2.1.2.2.11 Isaac Sparks, 1.2.1.2.2.10 Bailey Sparks, and 1.2.1.2.2.9 Nathan Sparks, moved westward to middle Tennessee where the newly-married couple settled on Boles Fork of Tumbling Creek, a tributary of Duck River in Hickman County. It was there that their first child (a son) was born ca. 1806. They named him 1.2.1.2.2.13.1 Isaiah Hale Sparks, probably for his maternal grandfather.

On January 27, 1814, Hardy Sparks bought a portion of a 640-acre tract of land on Tumbling Creek which was owned by the heirs of John Atkins. (Tumbling Creek flows generally southwest from its source in Dickson County through a portion of Hickman County and then to its mouth in Humphreys County.) On November 9, 1824, Sparks was granted two tracts of land in Hickman County consisting of a total of 140 acres. Then, in the fall of 1836, he was granted 300 acres of land located on Boles Fork of Tumbling Creek adjacent to land belonging to his brother, Isaac Sparks, in Humphreys County. He also paid taxes on 100 acres of land in Henry County in 1828, but he sold this land in March 1834 to Zachariah Noel.

When the 1820 census was taken, Hardy Sparks was shown as head of his household in Hickman County. His family consisted of himself, his wife, three sons, and two daughters. The 1830 census found him in Carroll County, Tennessee. by this time another son and two daughters had been added to his family.

Other records left by Hardy Sparks in Hickman County include his appointment as a captain in the Hickman County Militia in 1817. On December 15, 1829, he was appointed as an overseer of the road from Huntingdon to Paris. He was commissioned as a magistrate by the Hickman County Court in 1831.

In Sepember, 1828, Hardy joined his mother, Sarah Sparks, and his brothers, 1.2.1.2.2.11 Isaac Sparks and 1.2.1.2.2.10 Bailey Sparks, in granting a power-of-attorney to two other brothers, Jesse Sparks and Nathan Sparks, to ask the government to reimburse them for the loss of certain property during the Oconee War in Georgia during the period of 1784 to 1796. The account of their petition and the delays which caused it to drag out until 1835 was given on pages 561-65 of the June 1961 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 34.

Hardy Sparks left his name on three documents as a witness. The first of these was a deed, dated December 17, 1817, by which Isaiah Hale (probably his father- in-law) conveyed 400 acres of land, known as McCalls Land, to John May for $900. Hardy also witnessed two deeds on November 5, 1829, which were made by his brother, Nathan Sparks. Nathan had acquired a 100-acre tract of land in Carroll County in 1827 which he gave to his sons, Isaac Sparks, Jr. and Martin Sparks. Isaac, Jr. received 40 acres and Martin received 60 acres.

A third document which Hardy Sparks witnessed was also a deed made by his brother, Jesse Sparks, on February 18, 1833. Eady (Sparks) Hale, daughter of Jesse, was newly-widowed, and the estate of her deceased husband, John Hale, was sold at an auction. Jesse Sparks bought the household furniture and two cows and returned them to his daughter.

Hardy Sparks moved his family to Lafayette County, Mississippi, ca. 1835. by this time his older children had married or had left home. When the 1840 census was taken, his household consisted of himself, born 1780-1790; his wife, born 1790-1800; one son, born 1810-1820; one son and one daughter, both born 1820-1825; and one daughter, born 1825-1830. He owned no slaves.

Hardy did not remain in Mississippi for very long, and by 1850 he was living in Scott County, Arkansas. When the 1850 census was taken, he and his wife, Mary, were the only members of his household in Washburn Township. His age was given as 67 years, and Mary's as 61. Both were shown as having been born in North Carolina. His occupation was given as a cabinet-maker. Living nearby was his son, William C. Sparks, with his family.

We have found no record of the deaths of Hardy Sparks and his wife, Mary, which probably occurred between 1850 and 1860 in Arkansas. Descendants have no knowledge of their burial places. From census records, it appears that they had eight children, four sons and four daughters. Thus far, we have succeeded in identifying by name only three of them. (Can any of our readers identify others?)

1.2.1.2.2.13.1 Isaiah Hale Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.2 Dau1 Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.3 Isaac Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.4 Dau2 Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.5 Son Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.6 William G. Sparks

1.2.1.2.2.13.1 Isaiah Hale Sparks, son of Hardy and Mary Sparks, was born ca. 1806 in Tennessee and was probably named for his maternal grandfather. He married Sarah Speed Clayburn, ca. 1831 in Tennessee. She had been born ca. 1812 in South Carolina. Hale (as he was called locally) and Sarah lived on Sugar Creek, a tributary of Duck River flowing mainly through Hickman County. He was a farmer.

We have found only two land deeds involving Hale Sparks. On December 10, 1825, he sold 100 acres of land on Tumbling Creek to Jeremiah Matthews for $250. We have not learned how he acquired this land. The second deed is dated March 7, 1854, and is for a grant of 100 acres by the state of Tennessee.

Isaiah Hale Sparks was the head of a household in Hickman County when the 1840 census was taken. He had five children under the age of 10 years. When the 1850 census was taken, he and Sarah were shown with eight children. Living nearby was his uncle, Jesse Sparks, aged 77 years.

Hale Sparks apparently went with his father to Mississippi ca. 1835, and two of his children, Nancy and Thomas, were born there according to census records. He did not stay there, however, and he returned to Hickman County. Sometime pnor to the outbreak of the Civil War, he moved his family to Arkansas where he settled in Newton County. Four of his sons served in the Union Army during the Civil War in an Arkansas regiment. Most of his chfldren married in Newton County.

When the 1880 census was taken of Newton County, Hale and Mary Sparks were shown as living by themselves in Union Township. He was 79 years of age and Mary was 67. We have found no records of their deaths which occurred sometime after the 1880 census was taken. According to information furnished by descendants, they had ten children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1 Balis E. Sparks, son of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born October 27, 1832, in Hickman County, Tennessee. He was a grown man when he went with his parents to Newton County, Arkansas. He served in Company C, 1st Regiment Arkansas Infantry during the Civil War and received a pension for his military service. (See the June 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 106, for an abstract of his pension file at the National Archives.)

Balis Sparks (perhaps his given name was actually Bailey for his uncle of that name) married Sarah Jane Jones on February 27, 1862, probably in Arkansas. According to a questionnaire which he completed on September 28, 1897, in connection with his pension, he and Mary then had eight living children, as follows.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.1 Annie Sparks was born August 16, 1868.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.2 Benjamin Sparks was born March 22, 1870.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.3 Lemuel R. Sparks was born in March 1873.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.4 Mary Jane Sparks was born September 20, 1875.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.5 David Sparks was born June 20, 1883.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.6 Martha Pairlee Sparks was born October 29, 1886.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.7 Amanda Sparks was born April 30, 1889.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.1.8 Letha Rufina Sparks was born July 10, 1892.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.2 William Sparks, son of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born ca. 1833 in Tennessee. He married Elvira Owens ca. 1864, probably in Arkansas. She had been born ca. 1842 in Missouri. When the 1880 census was taken of Newton County, Arkansas, she and William had four children. We have no further information about this couple.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.2.1 Jesse N. Sparks was born ca. 1865 in Arkansas. He married Elizabeth J. ca. 1890, and when the 1910 census was taken of Newton County, they had five children: Harrison, Arizona, Adona, Edgar L., and Colonel. We have no further information about this family.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.2.2 Sarah J. Sparks was born ca. 1868.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.2.3 Isaiah Sparks was born ca. 1873.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.2.4 Balis E. Sparks was born ca. 1875.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.3 George W. Sparks, son of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born ca. 1835 in Tennessee. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Martha Jane Cissle ca. 1860. She apparently died a short time later. After serving in the 1st Regiment Arkansas Infantry during the Civil War, George Sparks married a widow, Elizabeth (Jackson) Thompson Stephenson on September 15, 1866, in Taney County, Missouri. She had been born ca. 1836 in Mississippi and had had a daughter named Lucyann E. Thompson, born ca. 1860.

George and Elizabeth Sparks were living in Newton County, Arkansas, when the 1880 census was taken. He was 44 years old; Elizabeth was 42; and they had two daughters, Sarah, 12, and Margaret A., 7. Also living in their household was Elizabeth's 20-year-old daughter by her marriage to J. W. Thompson. The census taker listed her as Lucyann E. Sparks. George Sparks died on September 24, 1899, and Elizabeth died on May 18, 1924. (See the June 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 106, for an abstract of the pension file of George W. Sparks.)

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.3.1 Sarah A. Sparks was born ca. 1868.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.3.2 Margaret A. Sparks was born ca. 1872.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.4 Nancy Sparks, daughter of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born ca. 1837 in Mississippi. According to a relative, she married John Adams. We have no further information about her.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.5 Son Sparks was born to Hale and Sarah (Clayton) Sparks ca. 1839.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6 Jesse Sparks, son of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born May 11, 1841, in Hickman County, Tennessee. He served in the 1st Regi ment Arkansas Infantry and subsequently received a pension for his military service. (See the June 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 106, for an abstract of his pension file.) He was married twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Owens ca. 1866 in Arkansas. They had thirteen children, but their marriage ended in a divorce. Jesse's second marriage was to a widow named Edie (Millsaps) Casey on October 7, 1909, in Newton County, Arkansas. She had been born ca. 1861 in Arkansas. Jesse died on March 28, 1922, at Chancel, Arkansas. Edie died sometime after 1934. Here are Jesse's children by his first marriage.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.1 Sarah Jane Sparks, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Owens) Sparks, was born ca. 1867. She is said to have been married to FNU Flud. She died on April 10, 1950, at Eulala, Oklahoma.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.2 Aaron A. Sparks was born ca. 1870 in Arkansas.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.3 Rebecca Ann Sparks was born ca. 1872.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.4 Isaiah Sparks was born ca. 1874.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.5 James B. Sparks was born ca. 1876.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.6 Clarissa Sparks was born ca. 1879
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.7 Bartley Sparks was born ca. 1881.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.9 Nancy Sparks was born ca. 1885.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.10 Bellzona Sparks was born ca. 1887.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.11 William Sparks was born ca. 1889.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.12 Harriet Sparks was born ca. 1891.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.6.13 Rachel Sparks was born ca. 1893.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.7 Rebecca Sparks was born in Tennessee ca. 1842. According to a relative, she married Matthew Adams. We have no further information about her.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8 Thomas E. Sparks was born February 15, 1842, and his death date as January 7, 1897, probably in Mississippi. He is buried in the Atwood Cemetery (old Newberg Cemetery) at Atwood, Hughes County, Oklahoma. After returning from the Civil War in which he had served in the 1st Regiment Arkansas Infantry, he married Martha Curtis ca. 1867. She had been born ca. 1852 in North Carolina. She and Thomas had eight children before her death, which occurred during the winter of 1886-87. (For an abstract of the military pension file of Thomas Sparks, see the June 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No.106.)

After the death of his first wife, Thomas Sparks married Margaret J. Adams on June 26, 1887, in Newton County, Arkansas. She had been born September 23, 1845, in Missouri. She and Thomas had three children. Thomas died on January 7, 1898, in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. Margaret died on October 13, 1929, at Atwood, Oklahoma. by his marriage to Martha (Curtis) Sparks, Thomas Sparks had eight children, as follows:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.1 Alice Sparks was born ca. 1868 in Arkansas.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.2 James B. Sparks was born in March 1871.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.3 William W. Sparks was born in May 1873.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.4 Rebecca J. Sparks was born in January 1875. She married Hamp Burns.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.5 John F. Sparks was born ca. 1877
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.6 George Sparks was born in May 1880.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.7 Charles Sparks was born in January 1885.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.8 Joseph Henry Sparks was born April 20, 1886.

by his marriage to Margaret J. Adams, Thomas Sparks had three children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.9 Etta May Sparks was born April 1, 1888.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.10 Benjamin Harrison Sparks was born January 15, 1890.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.8.11 Chester Sparks was born February 28, 1892.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9 Sarah Jane Sparks, daughter of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was bornDecember 27, 1849 in Tennessee.

According to her death certificate at Oklahoma City, information for which had been provided by her son, George Washington Casey (1874-1941), Sarah Jane Sparks had been born on December 27, 1849, and she had died on December 2, 1930, at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 2 days. (If her age had been calculated correctly, her year of birth was 1848 rather than 1849.) Although her son had given her place of birth as Missouri for the death certificate, census records indicate it had been in Hickman County, Tennessee. (Relatives providing information for the preparation of death certificates often base that information on hasty memory and make mistakes.)

Sarah Jane Sparks was married on January 23, 1868, to James Franklin Casey in Newton County, Arkansas. He was a son of Uriah C. and Mary Jane Casey, and was, by occupation, a blacksmith and cattle rancher. He died on July 6, 1936, at Oakman in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. It was also there that Sarah Jane died in 1930. Children of Sarah Jane and James Franklin Casey are:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.1 Nancy Casey was born in 1869 in Jasper, Newton County, Arkansas. She died ca. 1889 at Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming. She was married ca. 1885 to Will Duncan.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.2 George Washington Casey was born October 5, 1874, at Paris, LaMarch County, Texas, and died on April 14, 1941, in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. He married Hattie MNU in 1899; she died on August 31, 1900. He married (second) Willie Harden on February 25, 1903, and (third) to Maudie Kellogg on May 26, 1919.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.3 Harmon Casey was born ca. 1876 and died in 1888 at Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming, at age 13.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.4 Alloma Margaret Casey was born October 26, 1878, at Walnut Fork, Arkansas. She died on August 27, 1964, at Dallas, Texas. She married (first) FNU Fuller; (second) to FNU Fretwell; and (third) to Walter Bandy.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.5 Fannie Belle Casey was born September 1, 1880, at Dardenell, Yell County, Arkansas. She died on October 17, 1970, in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. She married George Andrew Smith.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.6 Jimmy Casey was born ca. 1882 and died ca. 1888, at Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.7 John Sterling Casey was born January 5, 1885, at Stoneville, Custer County, Montana. (He was deaf because of typhoid fever.) He died on August 18, 1926, at Oakman, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. He married Nova Penny.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.9.8 Maude Mae Casey was born May 15, 1886, at Stoneville, Custer County, Montana. She died on August 24, 1968, at Stonewall, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. She was married on October 13, 1904, at Alien, Indian Territory [Oklahoma], to Harvey Harrison Alien. They were the great-grandparents of Mary A. Graham who has provided this record of the children of James Franklin and Sarah Jane (Sparks) Casey.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10 James Basil ["Baz"] Sparks, son of Hale and Sarah (Clayburn) Sparks, was born June 15, 1853, in Hickman County, Tennessee. He accompanied his parents to Newton County, Arkansas, and it was there, on September 11, 1873, that he married Mary Frances Breedlove. She was born August 20, 1854, in Carroll County, Arkansas, and was a daughter of Irvin Breedlove.

Conan W. Sparks, a grandson of James Basil Sparks, wrote this about his grandfather: "He was generally known as "Baz" or "J.B." Sparks. He homesteaded land near Deer, a village in Newton County, on which he built his own house. He farmed and reared a large family on this land. He was quite civic-minded and served as a justice of the peace in both Newton and Johnson Counties, serving in the latter from 1912 until 1927."

Baz Sparks died at Lamar, Arkansas, on February 15, 1928. Mary Frances died on December 12, 1941. They were the parents of thirteen children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.1 Amanda Sparks was born in July 1874. She died in August 1939. She married Lech Reins, and they had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.1.1 Ida Reins and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.1.2 Nona Reins.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.2 Nancy Parlee Sparks was born in April 1876. She married John Slusher, and they had four children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.2.1 Myrta Slusher,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.2.2 Blane Slusher,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.2.3 Floyd Slusher, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.2.4 Ira Slusher.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3 Irvin Sparks was born in January 1878 and was named for his maternal grandfather. He was married three times. His first marriage was to Matilda Robinson by whom he had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.1 Adolphus Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.2 Russell Sparks.

His second marriage was to Bertie Cowell by whom he had seven children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.3 Harold Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.4 Darrel Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.5 Ruby Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.6 Audrey Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.7 Erba Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.8 Ronald Sparks, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.9 Joseph Sparks.

His third marriage was to Lina Boley by whom he had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.10 Erma Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.3.11 Eugene Sparks.

Irvin died in October 1939.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4 Sarah Elizabeth Sparks was born April 9, 1880. She married John Preston Robinson on March 2, 1899. He had been born on August 12, 1877, and was a son of Elijah and Rachel (Chambers) Robinson. John and Sarah had ten children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.1 Homer Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.2 Bertha Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.3 Loman Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.4 Harley Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.5 Bertie Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.6 Rufus Robinson. Rufus Robinson
married Nadine Gibbs and she has been most helpful in providing information about her husband's family.
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.7 Boyd Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.8 Orla Robinson,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.9 Pearl Robinson, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.4.10 Fernann Robinson.

John Robinson died on July 29, 1956, and Sarah died the following November.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.5 Henry Sparks was born in January 1882. He married Floy Dobbs, and they had at least nine children; however, we have learned the name of only one of them,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.5.1 Opal Sparks.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6 Frank Sparks was born in July 1884. He married Augusta Doerr, and they had eight children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.1 Kermit Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.2 Quinton Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.3 Leota Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.4 Velma Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.5 Illene Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.6 Reba Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.7 Lucille Sparks, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.6.8 Lavern Sparks.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7 James Sparks was born in February 1886. He married Nora Pruitt, and they had nine children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.1 Denver Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.2 Pearl Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.3 Eunice Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.4 Darce Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.5 Eltra Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.6 Ardus Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.7 Boyle Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.8 Wilma Sparks, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.7.9 Delmar Sparks.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8 Laura Sparks was born in January 1888. She married James Cowan, and they had eight children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.1 Fern Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.2 Burl Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.3 Erma Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.4 Dale Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.5 Dan Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.6 Olean Cowan,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.7 Doris Cowan, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.8.8 Yale Cowan.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.9 Samuel Sparks was born in January 1890. He married Mary Bellings, and they had eight children: However, we have learned the name of only one of them,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.9.1 Samuel Sparks, Jr.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.10 Walter Sherman Sparks was born December 18, 1891. He married Mary Galentine on February 8, 1920, at Lamar, Arkansas. She had been born on October 28, 1903, and was a daughter of Lee and Lucy (Hinkle) Galentine. Sherman (as he was called) and Mary had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.10.1 Conan Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.10.2 Helen Sparks.

Conan Sparks has been most helpful in furnishing information about the family of his grandfather.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.11 Grant B. Sparks was born in November 1893. He married Florence Duff, and they had three children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.11.1 Nadene Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.11.2 Cynthana Sparks, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.11.3 James Grant Sparks
.

Grant B. Sparks died in October 1935.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.12 McKinley Sparks was born in September 1896. He married Eula Curtis, and they had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.12.1 Evan Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.12.2 Morris Sparks
.

1.2.1.2.2.13.1.10.13 Charlcie Sparks was born in December 1899. She married Zearl Matthews, and they had a family; however, we have learned nothing further about them.

1.2.1.2.2.13.2 Dau Sparks. According to the 1820 census of Hickman County, Tennessee, Hardy and Mary Sparks appear to have had a daughter born to them between 1804 and 1810. We place her year of birth as ca. 1809. We have not learned her name.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3 Isaac Sparks was born ca. 1814 in Tennessee and was quite probably named for his father's brother of the same name. (On several records, he was designated as "Isaac Sparks, Junior" to distinguish him from his uncle.) He had reached manhood when his parents moved to Lafayette County, Mississippi. It was probably there that he met and married Frances Ann Higginbotham ca. 1838. She had been born ca. 1819 in Louisiana. Their first child was born in the spring of 1840 just prior to the taking of the 1840 census. They owned one slave when that census was taken.

Isaac and Frances continued to live in Lafayette County where he was a farmer and when the 1850 census was taken, they had five children. Some time prior to 1860, however, they decided to move to Texas, and when the 1860 census was taken, they were in Red River County in the northeastern part of that state. Isaac died in Wood County, Texas, on October 30, 1872. We have not learned anything further about Frances. They were the parents of eight children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1 William Carroll Sparks was born May 7, 1840, in Mississippi. He accompanied his parents to Texas and was living with them in Red River County when the Civil War broke out. He served in the 9th Regiment Texas Cavalry, and after he returned from the service, he married Susan Mann Stephenson ca. 1865, probably in Titus County. She had been born on September 28, 1848, in Texas, and was a daughter of William Mann and America Jane (Riddle) Stephenson, natives of Campbell County, Kentucky. Susan apparently died in the fall of 1866 when their only child was born.

After the death of his wife, Carroll Sparks (as he was generally known) married her sister, Arelda Jane Stephenson, on July 1, 1867. She had been born on May 14, 1846, in Texas. She and Carroll had nine children. She died on January 15, 1929, in Titus County.

On August 14, 1905, William C. Sparks applied to the state of Texas for a pension based on his military service in the Confederate States Army. He said he had enlisted at Mt. Pleasant, Texas, on October 14, 1861, in Capt. Stewart's Company of the 9th Regiment Texas Cavalry and was discharged in 1863. Since 1860, he had lived in Titus County where he was a farmer. He was now (1905) unable to work because of rheumatism and an old leg wound. His application was approved, and he received a pension until his death on April 6, 1923, in Tutus County. He was the father of ten children, the first by his first wife, Susan, and the remainder by his second wife, Arelda.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1 Susan ["Susie"] Mann Sparks was born October 16, 1866, in Texas. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to William Chapman by whom she had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1.1 Cora Chapman and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1.2 William Chapman, Jr.

Her second marriage was to Wesley Rainey, by whom she had three children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1.3 Arelda Rainey,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1.4 Susan Rainey, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.1.5 Betty Rainey.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2 Frances ["Fannie"] Lee Sparks was born October 16, 1869, in Titus County. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to William George Holland on September 3, 1885, in Titus County. He and Fanny had nine children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.1 Eva Arelda Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.2 Neddy Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.3 Barbara Lee Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.4 Mack Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.5 Nora Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.6 Jessie Holland,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.7 Hattie Holland married Frank Turner, and they were the parents of four children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.7.1 Olan Turner, Olan Turner has been of invaluable help in the preparation of this article.),
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.7.2 Frankie Turner,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.7.3 Wannette Turner, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.7.4 Jackie Turner.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.8 Scott Holland, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.2.9 Sidney Holland.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.3 Isaac Sparks &
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.4 Daisy Sparks, were born to Carroll and Arelda (Stephenson) Sparks, probably in the early 1870's and died in infancy.

William Holland died on February 27, 1909, in Fisher County, Texas, and on November 3, 1916, Fannie was married, second, to J. M. Hitt. He died on March 9, 1938, and Fannie died on March 25, 1958.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5 Maude Ann Virginia Sparks was born January 19, 1876. She married James Josiah ["Joe"] Powell on March 3, 1892, in Titus County. He had been born on December 1, 1856, in Titus County and was a son of William Edward and Emily Jane (Goodman) Powell. Joe died on March 22, 1933, and Maude died on August 2, 1948.

Joe and Maude Powell lived on a farm about nine miles northeast of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Joe was a progressive farmer, being one of the first farmers in northeast Texas to grow peaches commercially. Maude was an astute business woman. They were members of the Church of Christ. They were the parents of eleven children, including an unnamed son who died at birth. The children were:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.1 Birdie Elizabeth Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.2 Lura Capitola Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.3 Hobart Wayne Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.4 Ora Helen Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.5 Elvia Ophelia Powell. Ophelia Powell married Joseph D. Heard, and they were the parents of Helen H. Tuck who has been most helpful in the preparation of this article.)
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.6 Owen Kermit Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.7 Mallie Rosemary Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.8 Goodman Voyan Powell,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.9 Lella Josephine Powell, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.5.10 Cleddie Virginia Powell.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.6 America Jane Sparks, daughter of Carroll and Arelda (Stephenson) Sparks, was born in 1878. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to Charles Holland. (Charles Holland was a brother of William George Holland who married Fannie Sparks, sister of America Jane. (See Item C, 1, b, above on page 3693. ) She had two sons:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.6.1 Charles Holland, Jr. and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.6.2 Elmer Holland.

After the death of her first husband, America was married, second, to FNU Kennedy by whom she had two children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.6.3 Clifford Kennedy and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.6.4 Molena Kennedy.

She died in August 1942.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7 Elam Hardy Sparks was born on April 23, 1880, at Mt. Pleasant, Texas. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Gennette ["Nettie"] Franklin on February 25, 1906, and they had one child,

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7.1 Ethel America Sparks.

Elam Sparks's second marriage was to Dora Frances Wright on May 1916, at Cheyenne, Oklahoma. She had been born January 25, 1886, and was a daughter of Richard L. and Frances (Childress) Wright. Elam and Dona had four children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7.2 Hazel Catherine Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7.3 Nellie Ruth Sparks,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7.4 Ruby Carol Sparks, and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.7.5 Johnnie Arelda Sparks.

Elam died on July 11, 1961, at Florence, Arizona. Dona died there on May 22, 1986.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8 Lucy Marian Sparks, daughter of Carroll and Arelda (Stephenson) Sparks, was born March 22, 1884, in Titus County. She married Lee A. Newman on May 15, 1904, and they had nine children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.1 Frank Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.2 Ottie Newman,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.3 Leonard Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.4 Robert Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.5 Fannie Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.6 Tannie Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.7 William Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.8 Leroy Newman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.8.9 Marion Newman.

Lee Newman died on December 4, 1932, and Lucy died on November 24, 1947.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9 Mallie Hanna Sparks was born August 9, 1887. She married Thomas Brogdon, and they lived in Arizona. They had fourteen children, including three sets of twins. These fourteen children were:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.1 Ida Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.2 Mahuel Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.3 Iva Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.4 Lue Edna Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.5 Huston Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.6 Jewel Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.7 Mack Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.8 George Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.9 Georgia Brogdon (twins)
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.10 Add Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.11 Addie Brogdon (twins)
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.12 Hub Brogdon,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.13 Elmer Brogdon
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9.14 Velma Brogdon (twins).

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.10 Paul Augustus Sparks was born January 3, 1890. He married Ollie Brogdon, a sister of Thomas Brogdon. (See the Item 1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.9, above.) Paul and Ollie had four children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.10.1 D.C. Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.10.2 Wallace Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.10.3 Paul Sparks, Jr.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.1.10.4 Lee Sparks.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.2 Mary R. Sparks, daughter of Isaac and Frances (Higginbotham) Sparks, was born ca. 1842 in Mississippi.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3 Joseph James Sparks was born July 24, 1844, in Misssissippi. He served in Company D, 11th Regiment Texas Infantry, Confederate States Army, and received a pension from the state of Texas for his military service. After returning from the army, he married Bernice Stephens ca. 1866. She had been born in Texas ca. 1848. Joseph and Bernice had five children when the 1880 census was taken of Eastland County, Texas.

Bernice (Stephens) Sparks apparently died ca. 1887, and Joseph was married, second, to Sarah Ann MNU on January 18, 1889, in Eastland County. She had been born on May 23, 1865. Joseph died of a pulmonary embolism on October 13, 1922, at Morgan Mill in Erath County, Texas. According to his death certificate, he was married at that time, but his wife's name was not given. The date of his birth as well as the place appear as given above. His father's name was given as Isaac Sparks, but his mother's name was not given. He was buried in the Sapoak Cemetery. We have a record of only five of the children of Joseph and Bernice (Stephens) Sparks.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3.1 B. V. Sparks (a daughter) was born ca. 1867 in Texas.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3.2 I. L. Sparks (daughter) was born ca. 1870 in Texas.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3.3 W. O. Sparks (a son) was born ca. 1873 in Texas.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3.4 William J. Sparks was born May 26, 1878, at Hawkins, Texas, according to his biography in TEXAS AND TEXANS written by Eugene Barker in 1914. His mother died shortly thereafter, and he was reared in the household of a grandmother. He learned the trade of pharmacy and was a druggist at Fort Worth, Texas, before opening a drugstore in Midland, Texas. He was elected clerk of Midland County in 1908, and served in that office during the term of 1910 and 1912. He was a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Woodman of the World. He was a Presbyterian.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.3.5 P. T. Sparks (a daughter) was born ca. 1880.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.4 Sarah J. Sparks, daughter of Isaac and Frances (Higginbotham) Sparks, was born ca. 1847 in Mississippi.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5 Franklin Augustus Sparks was born in January 1850, in Mississippi, and was a young lad when he went with his parents to Texas. He married Sarah O. MNU probably in 1878, in Johnson County, Texas. She had been born ca. 1862 in Texas. When the 1880 census was taken of Johnson County, Augustus (as he was apparently called) and Sarah had a one-year old daughter. Sarah apparently died shortly after this child's birth. A descendant states that Augustus Sparks was married, second, to a woman named FNU Higginbotham. We have found no record of this marriage, nor have we learned whether any children were born to this union. We do know that Augustus was married, third, to Rhoda ["Loda"] Lauretta Shoffitt, probably in 1895. She had been born June 7, 1874, in Stephens County, Texas, and was a daughter of Littleton and Elizabeth Shoffitt, natives of Alabama. (Shoffitt was also spelled Shafett, Shoffett, and Shaffitt.) Augustus Sparks died ca. 1933 in Ballinger, Texas. Loda died the following year. They had eight children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.1 Lucy H. Sparks, daughter of Augustus and Sarah Sparks, was born ca. 1879, probably in Johnson County, Texas. She married Joseph Cowart, and they had at least three children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.1.1 Averal Cowart
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.1.2 Beatrice Cowart
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.1.3 Leonard Cowart

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.2 Felix Grundy Sparks was born July 20, 1896. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Florence McGuire by whom he had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.2.1 Odie Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.2.2 Wanda Sparks.

His second marriage was to Gladys MNU. He died ca. 1918.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3 Ora Mae Sparks was born June 4, 1898, at Caddo Springs, Texas. She married William Otto Wood on November 11, 1916, in Runnels County, Texas. He had been born on December 10, 1885, at Chriesman, Texas. He was a farmer. He and Ora Mae were Baptists. He died on January 29, 1965, and Ora Mae died in May 1988. They had five children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3.1 Lois Wood
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3.2 Luther Wood
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3.3 Florene Wood &
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3.4 Lorene Wood (twins), and
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.3.5 Francis Marion ["F.M."] Wood.

Lois has been most helpful in furnishing information and photographs of her family.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4 Trudy Frances Sparks was born January 28, 1901. She married Roscoe Foreman. He was a farmer, but also did carpenter work. He and Trudy were Baptists. Their children were:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4.1 Raymond Foreman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4.2 Cecelia Foreman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4.3 Randall Foreman
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4.4 Franklin Foreman

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.4.5 Jay Foreman.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.5 Joseph Lawton Sparks was born on October 23, 1903. He married Erma MNU. He died ca. 1977

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.6 Iva Dean Sparks was born July 31, 1906. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to Wallace Seipp by whom she had two children,

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.6.1 Faye Seipp
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.6.2 Joyce Seipp.

Her second marriage was to James Gilmore. She died in 1985.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.7 Willis Higginbotham Sparks, son of Augustus and Loda (Shoffitt) Sparks, was born February 17 1909. He married "Billie" Crager by whom he had three children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.7.1 Jeanette Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.7.2 Joe Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.7.3 Dale Sparks.

He was a carpenter and also a minister for the Pentecostal Church. He died in 1986.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.8 Alpha Lou Sparks was born in 1911. She married Charles Owen by whom she had three children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.8.1 Charles Owen,
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.8.2 Virginia Owen
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.8.3 Patsy Owen.

Alpha died ca. 1979.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.9 Laura Lauretta Sparks was born April 23, 1917. She married Cleland Gauny by whom she had three children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.9.1 Marilyn Gauny
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.9.2 Sherry Gauny
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.5.9.3 Sandy Gauny
.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.6 Martin Sparks, son of Isaac and Frances (Higginbotham) Sparks, was born ca. 1852 in Mississippi. We have no further information about him.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7 Lucy Sparks was born ca. 1856 in Mississippi. Lucy Sparks was married twice. Her first marriage was to James D. Nunneley ca. 1871. He had been born on March 4, 1837, and was considerably older than Lucy. Two documents have been preserved which give some insight into the life of James Nunneley.

The first document is a letter which tells of Nunneley's appointment as the postmaster of a village called Harrisville located in Bell County, Texas. (This village no longer exists.) The appointment was made on February 22, 1865, and he was to receive compensation of $12.00 per year until it could be determined what amount of business the office would have.

The second document is a letter that James D. Nunneley wrote to his brother, Jackson Baldwin Nunneley, on November 4, 1872, from his home near Pleasant Hill, Texas. Here is the text of the letter just as it was written over a century ago.

Dear Brother and Sister. I take this opportunity of writing to let you know where I am and to tell you of some of my misfortunes as well as my good luck. I am settled in this county. I think I have bought a place here and if nothing happens I will stay here. I owe a little for my place and that is troubling me no little. I have a small stock of groceries about three hundred dollars and if I could pay the ballance on my land and have my stock to go on, I would be all right. am in a good place to sell goods but I am not able to buy goods. My place has 50 acres open land a good orcherd apples peaches plums & pears. Good buildings and a storehouse in a good settlement, but I must raise the ballance of the money two hundred & fifty dollars by the first of December and I fear that I will lack a little though it maybee I can borrow it. I deal for cash strickly and am doing well for such a small capital. It took all of my money to make the first payment. My place is.worth two thousand dollars. There is 237 acres of land in a healthy country. Misfortunes continued, my father-in-law Dr. Sparks departed this life on the 30th of October of pneumonia. He died at my house. We had two doctors with him but all useless. He was taken on Friday and died on Wednesday. At present I must close. I will write again soon.

Your affectionate brother

J. N. Nunneley

James and Lucy (Sparks) Nunneley had three children before misfortune hit them again. In 1873, Nunneley died leaving Lucy with these three children while they were still very young. She was married, second, to Robert D. Cochran ca. 1875. He had been born in August 1856 in Texas. According to the 1900 census of Titus County, he and Lucy had five children. We have found no death record for Bob Cochran, but Lucy died in 1936 at Huntington Beach, California. She and Bob were buried at Santa Ana according to relatives.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.1 Ida Nunneley, daughter of James and Lucy (Sparks) Nunneley, was born ca. 1871 in Texas. We have found no further information about her.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2 Joseph Alexander Nunneley was born December 26, 1873, in Texas. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Adeline Teever (or Tweever) ca. 1890. They had three children before her death, which occurred ca. 1899. The children were named

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.1 Charles Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.2 James Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.3 Luther Nunneley

Joseph was married, second, to his cousin, 1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.2 Lillie Elizabeth Sparks. She had been born on May 27, 1889, in Tacoma, Washington, and was a daughter of Willis Grundy and Louisa Narshalene (Shaffitt) Sparks. (See below.) She and Joseph had five children:

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.4 Delbert Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.5 Faye Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.6 Jerrine Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.7 Clifford Nunneley
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2.8 Claudia Nunneley.

Delbert Nunneley is the father of Jo Agee who has been extremely helpful in providing materials for this article.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.3 A Dau1 Cochran was born ca. 1875.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.4 Lela V. Cochran was born in July 1876.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.5 Henry Augustus ["Gus"] Cochran was born in April 1878.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.6 John L. Cochran was born in January 1882.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.7 Susan Katherine ["Kate"] Cochran was born in August 1886. She married Calvin Johnson
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.8 Robert I. Cochran was born in February 1890.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8 Willis ["Will"] Grundy Sparks, son of Isaac and Frances (Higginbotham) Sparks, was born ca. 1858 in Mississippi, and was a baby when his parents moved to Red River County, Texas. It was there that he grew to manhood and married Louisa Marshalene Shaffitt ca. 1886. She had been born in Stephens County, Texas, ca. 1869. Will died in 1938, and Louisa died in 1949. They had twelve children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.1 Dora Sparks was born ca. 1888. She married FNU Roach.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8..2 Lillie Elizabeth Sparks was born May 27, 1889. She married her cousin, 1.2.1.2.2.13.3.7.2 Joseph Alexander Nunneley. (See above; she was included in the photograph with her husband which has been reproduced on page 3700.)

1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.3 Buck Sparks was born ca. 1891. His given name may have been Buchanan.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.4 Parkie Sparks was born ca. 1893. She married FNU Creed.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.5 Gertrude Sparks was born ca. 1895. She married FNU Irvin. She died in 1989.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.6 Josie Sparks was born ca. 1897. She married John Reed.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.7 Jack Sparks was born ca. 1899. He never married.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.8 Goldie Sparks was born March 4, 1901. She married FNU Russell.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.9 Sally Thelma Sparks was born in 1905.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.10 Ray Sparks was born in 1906. He died in 1987.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.11 June Sparks was born in 1908. She married FNU Banks.
1.2.1.2.2.13.3.8.12 Ruby Sparks was born in 1909. She married FNU Paget.

1.2.1.2.2.13.4 Son Sparks
1.2.1.2.2.13.5 Daughter Sparks were apparently born to Hardy and Mary Sparks between 1810 and 1820; however, we have learned nothing about them.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6 William G. Sparks was born ca. 1824 in Hickman County, Tennessee. He accompanied his parents to Mississippi and it was probably there that he met and married Manerva Powell ca. 1846. She had been born ca. 1827 in Georgia. The first child of William and Manerva was born ca. 1847 in Mississippi, but by 1850 they were in Scott County, Arkansas, where their second chfld was born in January They were stfll in Scott County when the 1860 census was taken; on this census William was listed as a farmer. by this time, his household included seven children.

The last record that we have found of William G. Sparks is in a list of persons from Arkansas who served in the Union military forces during the Civil War. The entry for William G. Sparks reads as follows: "William G. Sparks, enlisted September 28, 1863, as a private in the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry at Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was aged 42 years and a native of Hickman County, Tennessee. He was a farrier when he was discharged".

Manerva (Powell) Sparks died in January 1869 in Scott County, Arkansas. According to her death record, she was 46 years old; she was a native of Georgia; and she died from pneumonia. We have found no record of the death of William G. Sparks. According to census records, they were the parents of seven children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.1 Eliza Sparks was born ca. 1847 in Mississippi.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.2 Francis Sparks was born in January 1850 in Arkansas. He was not listed in the family of his parents when the 1860 census was taken. He may have died by then.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3 Mary Bea Sparks was born on August 29, 1851, at Mulberry, Crawford County, Arkansas.

Mary Bea Sparks married Joseph Larkin Yandell probably in 1873. He had been born ca. 1850 in Henry County, Tennessee. When the 1880 census was taken, he and Mary Bea were living in Tomlinson Town ship in Scott County, Arkansas. Shortly thereafter they moved to Sebastian County, Arkansas. Joseph Yandell died before the 1910 census was taken, at which time Mary Bea was shown as the head of her household. She was living in Red Oak, Latimer County, Oklahoma. Her age was given as 53 years. With her was her son, Lloyd O. Yandell, aged 25 years. Living nearby were her sons, John D. Yandell and Joseph Elzie Yandell, and a daughter, Mollie Childress. Mary Bea died on January 14, 1929. She and Joseph had ten children.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.1 William ["Billie"] Lunsford Yandell was born in 1874.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.2 John Daniel Yandell was born December 12, 1875. He married Nellie Kirkendall ca. 1906. He died on May 22, 1944, at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Nellie died on December 22, 1946.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.3 Isaac Wilson Yandell was born July 16, 1876, in Scott County, Arkansas. He married Ida Bridges ca. 1898, probably in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Ha died on December 19, 1959, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.4 Joseph Elzie Yandell was born ca. 1881, probably in Sebastian County, Arkansas. He married Effie Calhoun ca. 1902.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.5 Lloyd Oliver Yandell was born November 30, 1883, in Sebastian County, Arkansas. He married Pauline Rich on April 3, 1921. He died in 1947 at McAlester, Oklahoma.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.6 Eliza ["Liza"] Yandell was born ca. 1884.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.7 Amanda Pearl Yandell was born ca. 1886.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.8 Mollie Myrtle Yandell was born October 28, 1888. She married James Arthur Childress on July 22, 1905, probably in Oklahoma.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.9 Mattie Evalee Yandell was born ca. 1889.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.3.10 lona Waldern Yandell was born April 15, 1890. She married Ira Barnes in 1905. They were the grandparents of Thomas M. Woods whose wife, Elizabeth, has furnished information and a photograph for this article. lona died on January 26,1975, at MeAlester, Oklahoma.

1.2.1.2.2.13.6.4 Amanda Sparks was born on March 16, 1854.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.5 Isaac Newton Sparks and
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.6 and Daniel Sparks, twin sons of William and Manerva (Powell) Sparks, were born ca. 1856.
1.2.1.2.2.13.6.7 Martha Sparks was born ca. 1859 in Arkansas.

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