James Rufus Sparks

Notes:

At the time of the 1920 census, he was listed as the properitor of a hardware store.

James married Annie Josephine O'Neill on 27 Nov 1907 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. Annie (daughter of John O'Neill and Sarah Elizabeth Payne) was born on 14 May 1884 in Texas; died on 30 Jun 1967 in Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
STEPHENS COUNTY MARRIAGES - 1907 - 1912 SPARKS, JAMES R 38 O'NEILL, ANNIE J 23 27 NOV 1907 ST-1-5

Duncan Banner November 29, 1907 A Pretty Home Wedding
The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Jno O'Neill was the scene of a pretty home wedding Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock when their daughter, Miss Annie J., was united in marriage to Mr. J.R. Sparks, Father Urban De Hasque officiating.
The house was tastefully decorated with crysanthemums and potted plants and brilliantly lighted, the effect producing a harmonious feeling of joy and good cheer--an omen of good luck. After the ceremony the guests assembled around the pre-Thanksgiving festal board and partook of an elegant wedding breakfast.
A number of immediate friends of the family were in attendance and the contracting parties were the recipients of many handsome presents.
The bride is a highly accomplished young lady, possessing many charms of both mind and heart, and has grown to womanhood in this city. The groom is sober, industrious and reliable well worthy of the flower he has plucked from the beautiful home garden. They start out in their new relations under most auspicious circumstances and with the best wishes of a host of friends.
The Banner joins in the hearty and sincere congratulations that are being showered upon them and hopes their wedded life will prove one long, sweet dream of happiness, contentment and prosperity.

The Duncan Banner
Friday, Dec. 10, 1926
DIVORCE APPLICATION FILED
Mrs. Annie O'Neil Sparks Seeks Separation From Husband
Mrs. Annie O'Neill Sparks, 303 Hickory avenue, filed application for a restraining order to prevent her husband, James R. Sparks, from coming to the Sparks home after today. The application was granted.

A petition asking for a divorce from Sparks was to follow, it was understood.

1. John Hugh Sparks was born on 30 Jan 1909 in Oklahoma; died on 18 Jun 1909 in Oklahoma.
2. James O'Neill Sparks was born on 30 Aug 1911 in Oklahoma; died on 24 Sep 1911 in Oklahoma.
3. Mary Patricia O'Neill Sparks was born on 8 Mar 1914 in Oklahoma; died on 2 Dec 1983 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

Notes:

Sparks, T. L. - (CSA), 58th North Carolina Infantry, Co.H. b.5/7/1844; d.1/7/1927. Wife's name was "Sarah Adeline" (b.1/12/1849; d.2/13/1942). Owner of plot was "Mrs. T. L. Sparks." In 1/3/1913 Duncan Banner article & 1/1/1913 reunion photo (which was published in Foot Steps 2:2). May have an OK CSA pension application # 5136, reel # 13 (under "Thomas L."). Buried in the Duncan city cemetery (block 14, lot 5, space 6).

"T.L. Sparks, 401 Pine Avenue, died Friday morning after an illness which his advanced years made difficult to withstand. Mr. Sparks was 83 years old. Sparks, a retired farmer, has lived in Duncan for the past 15 years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having fought with General Lee under the command of George Parker. He was in the Civil War 3 years. Sparks was only 18 years old when he enlisted.

"Jim B. (sic) Sparks, his son, who has been buying cotton seed said that his father had been a member of the Methodist Church for the last 45 years. He had been married 62 years, the ceremony being performed November 8, 1866 in Caldwell County, North Carolina, where the elder Sparks was born and raised.

"Three children survive. J.R. Sparks of Duncan, Mrs. Lucy Pend of Dallas and Miss Norma (sic) Sparks of Duncan. The funeral was set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Sparks residence on Pine Avenue. Burial was to be at the Duncan Cemetery with the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home officiating." (Duncan Banner, January 14, 1927)

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Lynell also found this information on another Sparks from the Duncan area. His relationship, if any, to T.L. Sparks is unknown.

http://hometown.aol.com/thedsmith/myhomepage/index.html

Sparks, John M. - (USA or CSA?). b.10/22/1841; 3/14/1918. Name is listed on Marlow vet monument. Wife's name was "America E." (b.3/15/1846; d.12/20/1918). Masonic symbol on headstone. Listed in Dale Talkington's The Long Blue Line as a Union veteran. May have an OK CSA pension application # 1586, reel # 4 (under "John H."). Buried in the Marlow city cemetery (section 12, block 78, lot 1).

(Research):
Census Information:


1880 Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Clingman SPARKS Self M Male W 36 NC Farmer NC NC
Sarah A. SPARKS Wife M Female W 30 NC Keeping House NC NC
James R. SPARKA Son S Male W 11 NC NC NC
Lucy C. SPARKS Dau S Female W 9 NC NC NC
Mary E. SPARKS Dau S Female W 3M NC NC NC Source Information:
Census Place Lenoir, Caldwell, North Carolina
Family History Library Film 1254955
NA Film Number T9-0955
Page Number 553D


1900 Census
Texas, Foard, JP 2, ED 27
236-236
Sparks, Clingman Hd W M May 1847 55 M 34 NC NC NC Farmer
Sparks, Adda Wife W F Jan 1852 48 M 34 3/3 NC NC NC
Sparks, James R Son W M Aug 1871 28 S NC NC NC
Sparks, Emma Dtr W F Feb 1881 18 S NC NC NC

Clingman married Sarah Adeline ??? on 8 Nov 1866 in Caldwell County, North Carolina. Sarah was born on 12 Jan 1849 in North Carolina; died on 13 Feb 1942. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
The 1910 census indicated that T.L. and Adda had been married 39 years. It was a first marriage for both. Adda was the mother of three children, all living.