The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-06-20
SUDDENLY
Game Summons Of Death To
Joseph SpfOule
While Visiting AT Old Home
In ireland
Was Sitting 10 Chair On Lawn
With Relatives
When He Was Seized With
The Fatal Attack
Had Expressed Wish To Be
Buried At Old Home

Mrs. Iva Sproule Baker received a
letter Saturday evening giving her the
shocking information of the sudden
death of her father, Joseph Sproule,
In Ireland in the afternoon of June s,
he having suddenly expired while sit
ting in chair on the lawn at his
brothers home.
On May 27 Mr.. Sproule, accompan-
led by his niece, Mrs. Jane Sproule
Cope of Philadelphia, set sail for a
visit of indefinite length at the home
of his childhood in Ireland. The in
tention was also to visit in Scotland
before returning home. On June 5th
they arrived at their destination in
Ireland, Aultamullen, Castle Derge,
County Tyrone, where Mr.. Sproule's
brother, Mr.. William Beatty Sproule,
resides, it being the old Sproule es-
tate, where Mr.. Joseph Sproule was
born and where he resided until he
came to America.
1t was the first visit back to the
old home Mr.. Sproule had made since
leaving there 81 years ago, and in go
ing he had anticipated much pleasure
in again seeing the scenes of his
youth.
On the morning of June 9th, the day
following his arrival at his brothef's
home, Mr.. Sproule wrote long letter
to his daughter, Mrs. Baker, in which
he Interestingly told of his voyage
and his reception at the old home by
relatives, and stated that he was feel
ing in the best of health
The letter received Saturday py
Mrs. Baker from Mrs. Cope was writ
ten on June 9Th, shortly after the
death of Mr.. Sproule. 1t stated that
after dinner Mr.. Sproule, herself and
| members of the household were sit
| ting in, chairs on the lawn engaged in
general conversation. Mr. Sproule
was apparently in. the best of health
and his arrival at the old home had
evidently given him the greatest
pleasure and satisfaction. During the
course of the conversation, he uttered
the words that seem almost premoni-
tory, "If anything should happen here
/ wish to lie at rest with father and
brother" Shortly afterward he re.
ceived the fatal attack, doubtless
heart failure, and died while sitting in
the chair.
The expressed wish of the doomed
man was granted, as Mrs. Cope wrote
that the funeral would be held on June
9th, and that the request as to his last
resting place would be carried out.
Joseph Sproule was one of Mt. Ver
mons oldest and best known business
men and was held in the highest es
TEEN in the community. He was pos
.sessed of deep,seated religious feel
ing, and for many years was mem
ber of the Gay Street M. e. churct
and was active in affairs of that de
nomination here. He was born Il
County Tyrone, Ireland, 50 years agf
and at the age of 20 arrived in th
United States, coming direct to MI
Vernon. He first engaged in teaching
his services in that direction being Il
district school in Pike township. Hi
first venture in commercial pursuit
was in the grocery business, the firn
} bein Sproule & Watson. He possess
ed desire to engage IN farming an
, retired from the grocery and secure
farm in Liberty township, but afte
short interval retired as farme
and re-entered the grocery business 1
MT. Vernon, the firm being Trott
Sproule. The business was conducte
by this firm for many years and upo
the dissolution of the partnership
each opened separate grocery sid
by side on North Main street. M
.Sproule continued In the grocery bus
ness very successfully until abor
eight years ago. when he retired o
account of his advanced years.
Mr.. Sproule was twice married. HI
g first wife was Miss Maria Craft {
q Green Valley and his second wife Mis-
!, Mary Mitchell of Mt. Vernon. Tw
: sons and one daughter were born
e the first marriage, the sons dying
g early youth, leaving surviving I'll
daughter, Mrs. Iva sprouie Baker.