Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1908 — OBITUARY OF JOS. B. SPARLING [ARTICLE]

OBITUARY OF JOS. B. SPARLING

Oldest Resident-Born Citizen Spent Entire Life In Jasper County. Soldier In 48th Indiana. The funeral of Joseph- B. Spar* ling occurred last Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, at his late residence, 1} miles southwest of this city. Rev. B. F. Ferguson/ of the Baptist church, conducted the service, and interment was in Weston cemetery. The local G. A. R. Post acted with the minister in performing the funeral rites. Deceased was born Nov. 23,1837, at Rensselaer, Ind., and passed away Jan. 21, 1908, at the age of 70 years, one month and 29 days. Daring his early childhood his parents lived in Rensselaer on ground now occupied by the howles House. Being the second child of white parentage bom in Jasper county, and the oldest at the timer his death, he had witnessed the growth of the county from its pioneer days into a pros* porous and populous community. When the deceased was about ten years of age his parents moved to the Sparling homestead southwest of Rensselaer, where he has constantly resided. In the early years of the civil war Mr. Sparling answered the call to arms and enlisted as a member of 00. K. of the 48th Indiana regiment of infantry. His regiment was assigned to doty in Kentucky and along the Mississippi. He continued in service uptil sickness forced his retirement.

On March 12, 1865, he was married to Mary Hammond. Two children, Samuel E., and Francis D. Sparling, and an adopted daughter, Glen, are the remaining members of the family. The parents of the deceased, Samnel L. and Julia Sparling, died some years ago. Four brothers and sisters are still living, viz Henry aod Ella reside in DeMotto, Frank lives in Kansas, and Sarah in lowa. - On aceouqj; of sickness none were able to be present at the fnneral bnt Mrs. Ella Peck, of DeMotto.