SPARKS, J. H. - Putnam

SPARKS, J. H. PO Cloverdale, Farmer & Blacksmith. Sec 3 was born Jan 8, 1826 in Lewis Co KY; son of James and Elizabeth Gilman Sparks; settled this County 1833; has had six children, 4 living.

Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element in the county of Putnam is the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the attention of the reader is now invited. For many years James Sparks has been a forceful factor in the prosperity of Cloverdale township, and now, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-five years, he is enjoying that rest which his long life of earnest toil so richly entitles him to. James H. Sparks was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, on the 8th day of February, 1826, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Gilman) Sparks. The maternal great-grandfather, Henry Gilman, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving under General Wayne. When the subject was about twelve years of age the family removed to Putnam county, Indiana, locating near Mount Meridian, the father buying a tract of land about a half mile east of that place. Two years later they moved to the southern part of Jefferson township, where another farm was purchased. James H. remained with his parents until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Greencastle and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of blacksmith. About twenty years after coming to Putnam county the other members of the family removed to Clayton county, Iowa, where they made their subsequent home. Mr. Sparks was employed at the smithy's forge in Greencastle for about five years, becoming a proficient workman, and at the end of that period he came to Cloverdale and opened a shop of his own, which he continued to operate about fifteen years. He then gave up blacksmithing and took up agriculture as a vocation, locating on his present farm in the eastern part of Cloverdale township. He gave intelligent direction to his efforts and in due time developed his farm to a fine estate. He has always been a hard worker and has been practical in his methods, so that his efforts have been rewarded with a due meed of success. The place is well improved, containing a comfortable residence, commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings, while the general condition of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and good taste. On February 27, 1851, Mr. Sparks married Emily Jane Coffman, a native of Fountain county, Indiana, and the daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Coffman. These parents were natives of Kentucky and came to Fountain county, Indiana, in an early day. In 1832, when she was about six weeks old, the family located in Cloverdale township, Putnam county, where she grew to womanhood. John Coffman was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. William Henry Harrison, and was in the noted battle at Morgantown, on the river Thames, where the Indian chief Tecumseh was killed. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were born six children, of whom but two are now living, two having died in infancy. The four who grew to maturity were James, Mary Ann, Eliza Jane and Niles H. James lives with his father on the home farm. Mary Ann, who died April 22, 1882, was the wife of Peter Shopl, of Eminence, Morgan county, Indiana, and she left two daughters, Emma and Lucy Jane. Eliza Jane, who died on February 25, 1888, was the wife of Isaac N. Carpenter, of Cloverdale township, and she left a son, J. H. Carpenter, whose death occurred on April 19, 1908. Niles married Elizabeth Hood and lives a short distance northeast of Cloverdale. To him and his wife have been born ten children, of which number four are living. Three of the children died in infancy, the others being briefly mentioned as follows : John William is married and is living at Mansfield. Charles P. lives in Cloverdale township, this county. Allen died November 18, 1901, Lee on the 29th of the same month, and Herschel on the 25th of October of the same year, the three deaths being due to typhoid fever. Of those living, Arizona and Elmer remain at home with their parents. Mrs. Emily Sparks died on the 7th of February, 1902, at the age of sixty-nine years. Religiously, Mr. Sparks is a consistent member of the Christian church at Cloverdale, to which his wife also belonged up to the time of her death. Fraternally, Mr. Sparks became a member of Temple Lodge, No. 47, Free and Accepted Masons, many years ago and is now probably the oldest Mason residing in Putnam county. He was a charter member of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons, to which lodge his son James also belongs. Mr. Sparks is a member of Gen. Frank White Post, Grand Army of the Republic_ at Cloverdale, this affiliation being consistent from the fact that during the Civil war Mr. Sparks enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and gave effective service to his country in her hour of need. He is one of the best known men in Cloverdale township and enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him. He has always given his support to every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community and has been influential for good.