The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-08-20
OBITUARY-JOHNATHAN SPRAGUE
Good Citizen, Faithful Public Official
Loyal Friend at Rest.


Loyal Friend at Rest.
Brief announcement was made last
week of the death of Johnathan Sprague
at his home at an early hour Friday
morning. Funeral services were held
at the home Sunday afternoon at 3
o'clock, Rev. E. j. Cross of Corunna
officiating Many of the frien6s of the
family. number of the rural mail car.
riers of the county, and representative
Of the fraternal orders of which the de-
ceased was member were in atten-
dance. Six of the rural carriers of the
Owosso post Office acted as pail bearers.
The floral offerings testified to the
esteem of friends and expressed better
than words the sympathy felt for the
aged wife and family. The interment
was in Oakhill.
Johnathan Sprague was born in Farm.
ington, Oakland county, July II, 1887,
was married to Helen Augusta Lee in
1861 at Novi, and in ls72 removed to,
Caro-, Mich, engaging in the foundry
business there for several years. In
1886 the family came to Owosso, which
has since been the home November 1,
1898, Mr.. Sprague was appointed car
rier for rural route one, the first route
in the county and the third in the state,
at salary Of $500 q year. From the
first day he entered the government
employ until the day of his death his
interest outside the home centered
apout the work and the development of
the rural carrier service. No one could
have been more interested or ambitious
than he to serve the patrons on his
routes-one, and later four-and many
days he carried their mail when most
men many years younger would have
considered it an impossihility because
of his physical condition. This was
not done to gain the pecuniary benefit
but because of his real devotion to the
service, and his patrons appreciated it
and had only kind words for him. On
leave of absence on account of his dis
ability and this was extended from
time to time by the post office depart
ment until July 1st-some time beyond
the limit fixed by the regulations, show
ing that the department recognized him
as one of its most efficient carriers
when he rendered his resignation. From
that time on his decline was more rapid,
although he did not once give up the
hope that he might again resume his
position. Death was due to hardening
of the arteries
He was life member of Colfax
lodge of Odd Fellows and Owosso lodge
of Foresters His church affiliations
were with the Baptists. Mr. Sprague
was held in affectionste regard by the
members of the rural carriers county
association which he had served in
several capacities and at the recent state
gathering a resolution of good cheer
was adopted and sent him.
one son, ex Mayor o. l.. Sprague, one
daughter, Mrs. H. o. Rounds of De-
troit, and two grandchildren, Miss
Helen Gibson, who had made her home
with Mr.. and Mrs. Sprague practically
all her life, and Harold Rounds of De-
troit. One son, John j., and a daugh.
ter Mrs. G. V. Gibson, died some years
ago.
Relatives attending the funeral in.
cluded Mr.. and Mrs. III. o. Rounds,
Harold Rounds, Mrs " A. Kent of De-
troit, Emory Noble, Northville; Elliott
Sprague, Pennington; Watson Sprague,
Wayne; c. V. Gibson, Toledo; Eben
Thurgoon, Holly; Mrs j. J. Hopson
aud son James, of Alma; Mr.. and Mrs.
Floyd Parish, Fowler.
Deputy County Clerk Burnett is en-.
iovinu hia animal vacation