WI BIO - Dane Co - SPARKS, Elon J.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 505-506

Elon J. SPARKS, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, located on section 17, 
York Township, Dane County, Wisconsin, was the son of Austin SPARKS, and his 
grandfather was of English descent, born in Vermont, where he always lived 
and where he died. Austin SPARKS, the father, was born in Vermont, in 1822, 
and was brought up on a farm. He secured a fair education, attending the 
common schools of his native State, remaining at home until he was thirty 
years of age, when he decided to start out for himself, 01 April 1852. 
Having heard of the western country of Wisconsin, he [Austin SPARKS] came to 
Walworth County, where he stayed two years; then, purchasing a flock of 
sheep, he drove them to the town of York [Dane County, WI], section 17, where 
he purchased about five hundred acres of land; this was in 1854. He moved 
into a log house and commenced his experience in pioneer life. He then 
continued working the land, raising wheat and other cereals. By patient 
industry and economy he [Austin SPARKS] amassed a competence, but was not 
permitted to remain long enough to carry out his designs for a home and a 
residence, as he died 02 November 1865. He [Austin SPARKS] died in Lowell, 
Dodge County, Wisconsin, of lung fever, contracted while threshing on his 
farm there.

Mr. [Austin] SPARKS was married near the home of his selection, to Miss 
Adelaide CRIPPS, who was born in Bletchington, Oxfordshire, England, her 
people emigrating to his country when she was quite young. Her people were 
early settlers of York Township [Dane County, WI]. The union [of Austin and 
Adelaide (CRIPPS) SPARKS] was blessed with two children: Fred A., who lives 
in Columbus [Columbia County], Wisconsin, and Elon J., the subject of this 
sketch.

Our subject [Elon J. SPARKS] lives on and manages the old farm, his mother 
having improved the same, erecting a good residence and commodious barns. 
She [Mrs. Adelaide (CRIPPS) SPARKS] was married a second time to [p 506] 
Grove D. WOOD, and now lives in Columbus [Columbia County], Wisconsin. Elon 
J. [SPARKS] is a Wisconsin boy, having been born on the farm [in York 
Township, Dane County, WI] originally bought by his father and in the old log 
house, 06 December 1862. He received a common school education, and was 
brought up to work, and is now an industrious farmer.

The marriage of Mr. [Elon J.] SPARKS was celebrated 07 April 1886, to 
Margaret Ann EDWARDS, who was born in Kenerton, Flintshire, England, being of 
Welsh and English descent. Her people emigrated to his country when she was 
but two months old. They [Elon J. and Margaret Ann (EDWARDS) SPARKS] have 
three children: Austin Thomas, born 09 June 1887; Ina Mary, 14 May 1889; and 
Margaret Ruth, 14 November 1891. 

Submitted by Cathy Kubly