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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
W. W. SPRAGUE, of Garfield Township, is a native of Washington, Ohio, and a son of Jonathan and Susan (Lynch) Sprague, who were natives of Wheeling, W. Va. Jonathan Sprague was a farmer all his life, and was a soldier in the Mexican War. His ancestors were natives of Austria. He died Jan. 20, 1885; his wife's death occurred Aug. 13, 1883, at the age of seventy-eight years. The subject of our sketch came to this county in 1868, and settled in Des Moines Township, where he lived thirteen years, removing to his present location in September, 1881. He served the people of Des Moines Township one term as Township Trustee, and has been School Treasurer of Garfield Township for three terms. Mr. Sprague was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah M. Sprague (no relative). They are the parents of five childrenÄOscar, Osmer, Arthur, Asa and Vesta. His present farm consists of 120 acres of land, all improved, upon which there has been sunk a prospect shaft, which shows near a five-foot- eight-inch vein of coal, of the best quality and resembling anthracite. Mr. Sprague was raised a farmer, began life as a poor boy, and has accumulated his present possessions by his own industry, good management, prudence and economy. He is a general farmer, but in the spring of 1885 turned his attention to the breeding of Poland-China hogs, making his first purchase from the celebrated herd of A. C. Moore, of Canton, Ill. He now has a herd of ten thoroughbred animals, and intends to continue the business. He is also the owner of a thoroughbred Durham bull. Mr. Sprague is a successful farmer and enjoys a reasonable degree of prosperity as a result of the intelligent direction and management of his affairs, and himself and wife enjoy the confidence and esteem of their friends and acquaintances. Mr. Sprague is now turning his attention to the dairy business, running at present one wagon, and supplying Excelsior with milk each day.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy