SPARKS-Joseph T. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Joseph T. SPARKS, MD of Yeddo, is a talented and well-trained physician, who has attained a high standing among the leading physicians of Fountain County solely through personal merit and devotion to his profession. He is a native of Montgomery County, and was born on the old homestead in Ripley Twp, July 3, 1853. He is a son of Philip Sparks, a well-known farmer of that township who is also a native of Indiana, his birthplace being Franklin, and he is the son of one of the early pioneers of that section, Thomas Sparks, who came to this state from Baltimore. The Smalts of that city were relatives of his, and the famous Mr. Purdue, of Lafayette, was second cousin of Phillip Sparks. When Philips Sparks was 12 his father came to this county and entered land from the Government on Scott's Prairie. He did not tarry there long, however, but 3 years later took up his residence in Ripley Twp, Montgomery County and spent the reaminder of his life there. The father of our subject grew to manhood in that township and in due time was married to Miss Mahala J, daughter of Joseph I. CAPNER (Copner), a prominent wool manufacturer and merchant. After his marriage Mr. Sparks settled ont he old home place that had belonged to his father, and he is still living there. He has a good farm of 120 acres, under the cultivation and amply supllied with substantial improvements. he is a member in high standing of the Christian Church and his politics is of the Democratic order. He merits and receives the respect of this entire community in which he has lived for so many years. He and his wife have been blessed with 3 children, two of whom are living, George M, who makes his home with them and our subject, Dr. Sparks passed his boyhoodon his father's farm, and laid the foundation of his education in the excelletn public schools of Alamo. He was ambitious to fit himself for the medical profession, for which he had a strong taste, and he entered upon his studies under the instructikon of Dr. mL Bass of Crawfordsville, with whom he remained for 3 1/2 years. He was thus well equipped for Rush Medical College, where he matriculated in 1871. He was graduated in 1874 with a good rank in scholarship and with bright prospects for a successful career that have been amply fulfilled, he began the pratice of his vocation at Annapolis, Parke County. Two years later he went to Moran, Clinton Co, whence he came to Yeddo in 1882, and has since been in active practice there. He early gained the confidence of the people by his evident knowledge of medicine, by the tact and accurate judgment that he displayed in handling the various traits that characterize the munerative, he has acquired a comfortable property. He has built a substantial brick residence, and has a pleasant office adjoining his house. The Dr. was married during his residence at Moran to Miss Sarah A, daughter of John Butts, a prominent merchant of Lebanon. Mrs. Sparks understands full well how to make home comfortable and attractive, and the many friends that she and her husband have gathered around them since they came to dwell in this community, are always sure of a cordial welcome whenever they cross their thresholds. Dr. Sparks is a member of the American Medical Society and a prominent in social circle as one of the leading officials in Kingman Lodge NO. 339, IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] , in which he is a Noble Grand. In politics, Democrat.