Brodhead, Wis., Independent Herald.
Edwin Ruthven Sprague, eldest son of Almerin and Asenath Sprague, was born in Cattraugus County New York, April 9, 1830, and died at his home in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Nov. 7, 1910. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in the spring of 1846, making the journey by wagon, and passing through Chicago, then a small village. The family settled upon a farm in Spring Valley, and the winter of 1847-48 Edwin taught the winter term of school in the old log school house in the “Scotch District.” For twenty years thereafter he taught winter schools in this vicinity. Hundreds of the old settlers of this and the adjoining counties were among his pupils. An earnest, vigorous character, he brought inspiration and zest into the dull routine of the school room, and was remembered with affection and gratitude to this day by many who came under his guidance in those early days.
In 1858 he was married to Miss Laura Baker, who died in less than a year. Four years later he married Miss Julia Rice. to them four children were born, two sons and two daughters. After the death of Mrs. Sprague in 1873, Mr. Sprague moved from Albany to Brodhead, where he made his home for over twenty years, engaging in the insurance business, and serving twelve years as justice of the peace. He was a good citizen, active in all things that furthered the welfare of the community. In 1867 he united with the M. E. Church and remained during his life a faithful member of that church, serving in an official capacity, as trustee or Sabbath School Superintendent, until his death.
In 1873 he married to Mrs. May Murphy, who survives him. To them was born one daughter, Grace who died in infancy. Mr. Sprague was a brother of Mrs. [Lewis] B. Bebee, of Beloit, and of Mr. Burr Sprague of this city. He is survived by three of his children, Mrs. [Frank Wilson] Owen now in California, and [Floyd Gay Sprague] and [Hugh Almerin] Sprague, of St. Joseph, Mo. Mrs. Owen was with him last winter, and his brother, Burr Sprague, and his sons H. A. and C. W. Murphy were all able to be with him at different times during his late illness.
For the past eighteen years Mr. and Mrs. Sprague have lived in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, where Mr. Sprague was actively engaged in business until failing eyesight compelled him to relinquish his official duties. He was the only Justice of the Peace in the county where he resided, and was said to be the first republican ever elected to that office in the State of Florida. He also held the appointment of Referee in Bankruptcy in the U. S. Courts. He had many warm friends in DeFuniak, and during his illness every care and attention that sympathy and affection could offer to him and his household were bestowed upon them by neighbors and friends.
Funeral services were held in DeFuniak on Tuesday, and in Brodhead on Friday, and he was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery, Brodhead. Rev. Foster, the pastor of the M. E. church, at Brodhead being called away to another part of the state, Rev. J. Lloyd Smith conducted the services at the Methodist church Friday afternoon. Seldom have so many of the earliest settlers, the pioneers of this vicinity, gathered together on such an occasion, to pay their last respects to one of their number. Captain Randall, Mr. Rugg, Mr. Williams, Mr. Dedrick, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Rolfe acted as pall bearers. All of these gentlemen date their friendship and acquaintance with Mr. Sprague back half a century and several of them more than sixty years. The beautiful old hymns were sung by Mrs. Stair and Miss Holcomb, accompanied by Miss Lilian Focht.
In the old familiar church, endeared to him by countless associations, with the November sunshine falling softly upon his flower covered casket, surrounded by sorrowing family and old neighbors and loving friends, the last solemn words were spoken, and his body was borne to its resting place among his people. It was a fitting close to a long and honorable life.
[Contributed by Michael Strickland]
