Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-02-29
PHILADELPHIA Sketches.

Thomas Sparks, Presidenf of the Southwark
Bank, is the son Of the late David Sparks, who
was, at one time, kind of grocer, at No. 8
Walnut street, near the wharf, and also supplied
stores, &c. &c. The old gentleman afterwards re-
sided at 100 South Eighth street, between Pine and
Lombard, and kept carts and draws for hire. At
that time it the only building that block or
square; my friend, Major Strahan, afterwards oc-
cupied the same premises a mead garden. The
buildings have since been pulled down-the whole
ground remains vacant, and is owned by the Penn
sylvania hospital Mr. T. Sparks, in early life
went to sea; he was afterwards brought up to the
plumbing business-and first started in that BUSH
ness, at - South wharves, below Walnut street
and was unusually successful in business After
being some years in business, he took nephew into
| partne rship, and the firm became +. l. X. Sparks
their principal and most profitable part of the bust
ness was ship plumbng-they engrossed nearly the
whole of that portion Of the plumbing that was done
in this city, very few, il any, Of plumbers hav-
ing paid any attention to the ship department Of that
portion.of the plumbing business. Mr. Sparks about
1871 1872, built the Shot Tower in the district of
Southwark, known as Sparks Shot Tower. For
several years money was made very rapidly in the
manufacture OF shot, but for the last six or seven
years, nothing has been done by either Of the two
ted President Of the Southwark Bank, in 1879 or
30, to I'LL the vacancy occasoned by the resignation
Of that truly honest and upright man, Samuel Comfy
who had been president, and who afterwards made
such an honorable and honest failure, a merchant
in the spring Of lSS7, that he is now pointed out
as he passes along the streets, the strictly homes
| and upright Samuel Comfy. IL il stated that Mr.
c. indebted to the bank, at the time Of his re-
sgnation as president, about Sl2O 900; but throu
the financial capability Of Mr. Sparks, the amour,
was reducedto about $4,000, at the time Of Mr..
Comly's failure, thus saving the bank and MANY in
dividuas, from almost a ruinous loss. The first
president Of this Southwark Bank was Mr. Samuel
humphrey, now chief naval constructor at Wash.
ington city, and a more honorable and upright man
is not to be found in these United States.
MIR Sparks Is purse proud man. and has a. niue n
self importance az any individual in this community
lie is also celebrated for mean vnsictvenes of cha
racter. Mr.. Sparks, and Mr. J. 8. Smith. Jr. tn,
cashier OF the Southwark Bank-(Mr Smith Is tn,
son'of late James r. Smith, ESQ who was at one
time, City Treasurer, and nephew of the late Dan.
ie Smith, ESQ. who was Of the great mcrcantil,
house OF Gurney a. smith, endesvored all they
could, to inJure the poor Southern Loan COMPANY
simply because the Loan Company, from the ac com
modating and honorable course they pursued fool
away from the Bank great number their yaluabl,
customers. This was the cause Of the iealousv Tn,
Southern Loan Company have honoraby and honest
~ redeemed all their issues Of every description
that were outstanding, and that, without employn,
brokers ia purchase up their notes at or per cen
discount for specie.
Mr.. Sparks has never been married. and is wba
the world calls an old bachelor, being somewher
about 81 years Of age-be was, in his younger DAYS
fond Of female society, but his various misfortune
n with the fair sex have cooled him down-it is no
at all likely that he will ever attempt to marry. M
worthy and esteemed friend, Thomas d. Grover
'ate president Of the Board OF Commissioners Of IN