Charles S. Sparks
Charles S. Sparks was born in West Union, Ohio, June 10, 1868. His father was Salathiel Sparks, born November 20, 1829, and his mother was Clara Post, born June 6, 1849. His grandfather. George Sparks, was born in Virginia, May 16, 1794, and died at West Union, December 30, 1839. His great grandfather, Salathiel Sparks, was born in 1756, and died at West Union July 20, 1823. The latter located at West Union in 1804 and purchased from Robert Wood one hundred acres of land, now known as "Byrd's Addition to West Union." Salathiel Sparks had a son John, the well known banker of West Union in its early days. This John, who has a sketch elsewhere, married Sarah Sinton, sister of David Sinton, of Cincinnati.
Our subject was educated in the Public schools in West Union and graduated there in 1888. In the Summer of that year and of 1889, he attended Normal school at West Union. In the Summer of 1889, he began the study of law in the office of Captain David Thomas, and in the Winters of 1888 and 1889. attended the law school of Cincinnati and graduated on May 28, 1890. The next day he was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He located in Cincinnati for the practice of law, June 20, 1890. He has served as Acting Prosecutor in the Police Court and as Acting Judge of the same court.
In politics, Mr. Sparks is a strong and active Republican. He has been a speaker in the State and National campaigns and has been a delegate to the State Convention of his party for five years in succession. He is a member of the Blaine Club of Cincinnati and of the Stamina League of the same city, and was at one time President of the Board of Directors in the latter.
On November 21. 1896, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Barclay, of Brooklyn, New York. She was born December 17, 1879. in the citv of Oldham, England. They have one child, a daughter, Dorothy Grace, born April 15. 1898. His wife's great-uncles were members of the House of Lords of the British Parliament.
He is a man of high mental capacity, self-educated. He is studious, generous, and pronounced in his likes and dislikes. As a citizen, he is broadminded and liberal, ever regardful of the rights of others and prompt in the performance of all duties. As a lawyer, he is quick, persevering, bold, aggressive, and makes the interest of his clients his own. He is well read in the law, eloquent, and sometimes sarcastic. Without friends, influence or social advantages, he attempted to practice law in Cincinnati, and by his own personality has built up a good practice.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900