WILLIAM W. SPARR, deceased, was born in Monroe County, W. Va., January 26, 1825, and was of German descent. His father. G. W. Sparr, was a native of Virginia and married Sarah Wickline, by whom he had five children. Our subject was born and reared on his father's farm, and in the public schools he acquired a good business education. With his parents he remained until twenty years of age, when he began to earn his own livelihood by working as a farm hand. After a short time, however, he secured employment in a gristmill and to that work devoted his energies for a number of years. He became a carpenter and millwright by trade.

In 1847, Mr. Sparr emigrated to Ohio, where he made his home for the fifteen succeeding years. It was in 1862 that he came to Illinois and took up his residence in Noble Township, Richland County, purchasing the farm now occupied by his family. It comprised one hundred and ten acres and he at once began its development and improvement. Within the boundaries of the farm there are now three hundred and ten acres of highly cultivated and valuable land.

On the 10th of November, 1850, Mr. Sparr was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Adams, who was born near Wheeling, W. Va., February 25, 1831, and is a daughter of Martin and Phoebe (Taylor) Adams. Her father was born in Virginia and was of German descent. In the Adams family there were twelve children. There were fifteen children born unto our subject and his wife, namely: Lizzie M. and Olivia J., both deceased; George, Phoebe, Martin A., Arthur W., Seward (deceased), Robert N.. John C., Sarah, Mary A., Lillie J. and Luella M., both deceased, and two who died in infancy. The family is a prominent one in this locality and its members rank high in social circles. Mr. Sparr always took an active interest in political affairs and kept himself well informed on the issues of the day. However, he never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. He voted with the Republican party and did all in his power to upbuild it and insure its success. With the Methodist Episcopal Church he held membership. He was an industrious and enterprising man, and the comfortable properly which he left to his family had all been acquired through his own well-directed efforts. In the community where he lived he was held in high regard, for he was a man of sterling worth and possessed many excellencies of character. His death occurred May 17, 1884, and his remains were interred in Wesley Cemetery, in Denver Township. In his death the community lost one of its best and most highly-respected citizens.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), p.286 - Submitted by Judy Edwards

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