Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1895 — Death of Samuel L. Sparling. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Death of Samuel L. Sparling.

He Was Our Earliest Living Settler. But One. Samuel L. Sparling, universally and affectionately known as “Uncle Sammy Sparling,” died at his home just southwest of town, last Thursday night. His strength had been rkpidly failing for some weeks, and at the time mentioned, he passed away, peacefully and painlessly, as death usually comes to the very aged. He was born in Alleghany Co. N. Y., Sept 13, 1809, and his age,•••at death, was therefore 85 years, 3 months and 14 days. He was one of our Very earliest settlers, having come here in 1836; and at the time of his death he was in point of time of residence here, the oldest settler in Jasper county, with the single exception of David Nowels, of Rensselaer.

He was married in 1833 to Julia Bingham, and as before stated, came to this county in 1836. He at first located some miks west of Rensselaer, but soon after moved to the newly founded town, and had his dwelling near the old “Gus Bingham” property, just north of the present entrance of Weston cemetery. Mr. Bingham, by-the-way, was his brother-in-law. Soon [] after he moved into and kept a hotel in a log building just across the street from where now is Hemphill’s blacksmith shop.

He also worked at the carpenter’s trade, and the first barn built in Jasper county was built by him, on what is now known as the Tom Sayler farm, west of town, and it is a good barn yet. He remained in town quite a good many years, but about 1850 he settled upon the farm where he died, getting hia title to the same directly fnpm the government. At the time of his death he was, doubtless, the only man in the county living on land bought direct from the government. In 1844 he was'elected treasurer of Jasper county, and held the office for five terms of two years each. He was then elected a county commissioner, in which capacity he served for about six years in alternating terms. - —.

He also served as postmaster of Rensselaer, for quite a number of years, holding that office during a part of the time that he was county treasurer. He was the father of six children. Of these, one, a son, Abraham, died a few years ago; another, Joseph H lives on a part of the old home place, Frank, who lives in Kansas, and Henry in Keener tp. One daughter, Mrs. Sarah J. Williams lived with him when he died. Another, Mrs. Mary Ellen Peck, lives in Keener tp. A notable incident of his early life, mentioned at the funeral, was that the first sermon ever preached in Jasper county, was in Mr. Sparling’s house, in 1839, by a Methodist minister named Enoch Wood.

The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, at the residence, and considering the severity of the weather, the attendance was large; notabaly so, the number of elderly people, his old associates. From among these, his pall bearers were fittingly selected. AU of them were old men, who had known and esteemed him for many years They were, George H. Brown Sr., aged 78; Reason Goddard, aged also 78; L. W. Henkle, 75; Jared Benjamin, 74; David Nowels 73, and S. C. Hammond, 67. All of these pall-bearers were very early settlers. Mr. Nowels coming in 18&4, Mr. Benjamin in 1838; Mr. Hammond the same year; Mr. Brown in 1840, Mr. Henkle in 1841, Mr. Goddard in 1853. Rev. B. F. Ferguson preached the funeral sermon.

CHAS. VICK, the Optician sells the best Spectacles and Eye Glasses that are made in the world. The best that money can buy, and sells them at hard times prices. Drop him a postal card and he will call and fit you with a pair of Spectacles or Eye Glasses to your entire satisfaction. Rensselaer, Ind.

Estey organs and pianos, and Estey •< Aiamp organs and pianos, on exhibiion at C. B. Steward’s.