Taken from Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties, WI. 1891, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. Page 356/7

Robert W. Sparks, a farmer of section 24, township 23, range 1 east (Sherwood Forest), was born February 28, 1859, in Sullivan County, New York, the youngest son of eight children, three daughters and five sons. Their names were: Thomas, James and John (twins), Jesse P., Robert W., Elizabeth, Emily and Hannah. All these are married excepting Jesse and James, and are all settled in the town of Sherwood Forest excepting Emily, who was married in New York State and never emigrated West, and is now deceased. Seven members of the family reside here. Mr. Sparks' father, born July 25, 1818, was originally from Schoharie County, New York, and removed with his family to Waushara County, Wisconsin, in 1869. Seven years later he came to Clark County, where he is still living. He had one brother and seven sisters. His mother, whose maiden name was Silvia Calkins, was born in 1813, of parents originally from Connecticut, who located in Sullivan County when that region was new, and died in 1871. The grandfather Sparks came to this State in the '50s, locating in Plainfield, Waushara County. The grandfather Calkins was born in Connecticut, but lived and died in New York State, over eighty years of age. The great-grandfather, James Sparks, served in the war of the Revolution and finally died of cancer. While he was in the war his wife was left at home and was forced to secrete herself at night to avoid the Tories and Indians. The uncle of the subject of this sketch, named also Robert Sparks, enlisted in the late war, in 1861, and served to the end; was in the battle of Murfreesboro and several others. At one time he was reported dead, but he is still living, in POrtage County, this State.

Mr. Robert W. Sparks, our subject was married October 3, 1883, to Miss Julia E. Messing, who was a daughter of George and Marian Messing, of POrtage County. In their family were two sons and eight daughters, all of whom live in this State, - five in Clark County. Her father's parents were natives of Germany. The grandfather was forty one years of age when he came to this country, and he and two of his sons died of cholera just as they were landing at New York. Mrs. Sparks' maternal grandmother was a Connecticut Yankee. Her mother's father's name was Eager, and her mother's mother's name was Chandler. The children of Mr. Sparks are: Laura Grace, born September 22, 1884; Myra Viola, March 30, 1886; Edna May, May 27, 1887; Bessie Naomi, October 24, 1888, and Cyrus Clyde, April 8, 1890.

Some time back I sent a biography of Robert W. Sparks, one of my kin.

James Freeman Sparks, born 23 July 1818, died 1 June 1902. He is the son of Thomas & Mary (Howe) Sparks.

{He was known as Grandpa Sparks, a very loveable and colorful character there in Clark County. He lived with his oldest daughter Elizabeth, but would frequently visit other relatives. Wasn't unusual to see him walking along the dusty road carrying a carpet bag, containing his few personal belongings and a supply of *Grand-dad's Lintiment*, pills, and salve, which he would sell along the way for spending money.}

Sylvia (Calkins) Sparks, wife of James Freeman Sparks was born 5 September, 1813, died January 23, 1871

Sylvia and James Freeman Sparks are buried in the Plainfield Cemetery, Waushara Co., WI.

James Freeman Sparks is a brother to my 3rd great grandmother, Sarah Ann (Sparks) Bound

As an aside to the biography of Robert W. Sparks. He and his wife Julia Messing moved to Hood River Oregon in 1905, with nine of their ten children. He died at Hood River on Sept. 4, 1936 and she died Aug. 13, 1939 at Hood River.

The Uncle Robert listed in the biography that was reported dead, but wasn't, was my 3rd great Uncle, Robert Davenport Sparks. Have some really rich stories about him. His picture is available Waushara site. The Sparks were a *very* interesting family.