Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Sparks, Samuel B.     
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


SAMUEL B. SPARKS is a prominent farmer and an extensive 
lumber manufacturer and dealer of West Providence, Pa., 
where he was born on October 8, 1848, and where his paternal 
grandfather, Joseph Sparks, who fought in the Revolutionary 
War, was a pioneer settler.  This township was also the 
place of birth of his father, the late John S. Sparks, Esq.  
The Sparks family, it is said, originated in England.
  John S. Sparks was influential in business and political 
circles, and during his entire life was actively identified 
with the highest interests of his township.  For thirty 
years prior to his death, which occurred in August, 1876, he 
served as Justice of the Peace, and was familiarly known as 
Squire Sparks.  A leader among the Whigs in his earlier 
days, he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party from 
the time of its formation.  He married Rebecca Wareham, who 
was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, eighty-three 
years ago, and is now living in Clearville, Bedford County, 
being one of the oldest and most respected women of that 
town.  She is a member of the Lutheran church, to which her 
husband also belonged.  Of their children five are now 
living, as follows: Joseph, of Clearville, Pa.; John C., 
also of Clearville; Samuel B., the subject of this sketch; 
Abraham W., a resident of the State of Washington; and Mary, 
wife of Aaron Stayer, of Monroe, Pa.
  Samuel B. Sparks in common with the companions of his 
youth obtained his education in the district schools.  
Beginning life for himself at an early age, he selected 
farming as an occupation, and in addition to following that 
industry he has also operated a saw-mill, as a lumber 
manufacturer and dealer meeting with excellent success.  In 
the management of his farm of two hundred and twenty-seven 
acres and in the work of the mill he is kept well employed, 
as is fully shown by the neat and attractive appearance of 
his premises.  A man of broad and generous spirit, he is a 
promoter of enterprises that are calculated to advance the 
prosperity of the town or county.  In politics he is a firm 
Republican, and has served as School Director of the 
township two terms, and has also been a member of the Board 
of Elections.
  Mr. Sparks married Mary Stayer, daughter of the late Aaron 
Stayer, of West Providence, Pa.  They are the parents of six 
children, namely: Rebecca, wife of Frank Wicht; John C.; 
Russell S.; Joseph P.; Abraham W.; and Charles C.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa