Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-11-24
BATTLE over
DEATH OF j. ii. SPRAGUE.

Walter Allen in the town of Beetown,
and died at his home in the village OF
Bloomington, on Nov. 5, 1915, aged 70
years, months, % days.
When he was about Ii years OF age
his father died, and being the eldest
of five children he was compelled to
accent the responsibilities of man
and forego many of the happinesses
which belong to carefree boyhood;
but he demonstrated the fact that an
old head may be put upon young
shoulders, and passed at one bound
from childhood to manhood.
His opportunity for education was
somewhat limited, and while it may
not be said that,
knowledge to his yes her ample page,
Rich with the spOils of time, did ne'er
enroll
Nor that
Chill penury froze the genial current
of his soul"
Still most of his education was &C
CURED in the school Of hard knocks,
and it must be admitted that, for his
opportunity, he was a well read ana
an intelligent man. He was not
bOok-Iofer. The musical cadences OF
the poet or the rounded periods OF the
essayist interested him not. what ne
did enjoy was current events history
in the making-and from the time OIL
the Civil war no mans knowledge OF
his country was more accurate imam
his.
In his political beliefs he was Re-
publican-uncomprO and sim
cere He became thoroughly saturat-
ed with Republicanism during the war,
and he never forgot the political align
ments of that troublesome time. He
firmly believed that his party had
saved the Republic, and he acted up
on that conviction to the day OF his
death. Personally friendly to men OF
all political beliefs, when he voted, he
used to say he voted as he shot.
AS a citizen, Mr.. Sprague fulfilled
his duties with fidelity. He took an
active interest in politics, local, state
and national and wore his opinions on
his coat sleeve. 1t didn't take long to
find out where he stood.
He and L. D. Holford erected in 1881
the substantial building now used as
a public hall and for two good bust
ness houses, and he thus contributed
to the upbuilding of this village. He
did other public work, and 1t was all
marked by enduring quality and sol
idity. Thoroughness was one OF his
marked characteristics. If the things
were worth doing at all, it was worth
doing we'll. He was slow, method1cal,
patient: but he accomplished. He got
the thing done-carried the message
to Garcia-and for any of his work
this may truthfully be said: well
done. thou good and faithful servant.
For many years Sprague Brothers
(James H. Sprague and George b.
Sprague) carried the United States
mails. with celebrity, certainty and
fidelity. between Lancaster and Prai-
RE du Chen, via Beetown, Blooming
ton. Patch Grove and Bridgeport, and
during a part of that time he and Hen
Nv BOOrman (now a large ranchman
i'm the Vest bought and shipped stock.
He handled large amounts of money
during those times and faithfully and
honestly accounted for all entrusted
to his care, enjoying the confidence
and good will of his many patrons.
Mr.. Sprague was married to Laura
Higgins in 1880, and he is survived by
her and their two sons, Jas. Sprague,
Jr., and Ted L. Sprague, all OF this
village. He is also survived by
brother, E. H. Sprague, of Elkhorn,
Wis; two sisters, Althea Kilbourn OF
Atlantic City, N. j., and Emma Reeves
of Vermillion, S. ID. His brother Geo.
died at Elkhorn in 1914.
The stalwart form of James Sprague
for many years familiar figure upon
our streets, will be seen no more. His
activities have ceased. Death, the
great leveler, has placed him in COM
pany
with Kings-the powerful of the
earth-the wise, the good,
Fair forms, and hOary seers of ages
past, all in one mighty sepulchre.
<.Rest therefore, thou, till the brief
sleep
OF death is over, and happier life
Shall dawn, to waken thine insensl-
bic dust.
M. F. W.
NJ CnYo