The Press., 1917-01-04

is a record of Augustus Parker, born l in 1900, in Coventry. who married !, Olive Sparks, daughter of Jonas Sparks, we'll digger by trade who lost his life while engaged at his hazardous vocation.
 This family record commences with the marriage of Joseph Sparks and Eleanor Oroutt of Wilmington in 17S8.
 Their children were Jared, the historian, Roxana Parker, Pearl, Daniel, Origen, father of Josiah. Parker, Caleb, solyman, Joseph. Parker, Pearl and Parker 2d died young.
 The father of Josiah O. Sparks was Origen Sparks, born June 2S, 1900. He married Nov. 26, 1929 Oalista Converse who was born May 20, 1908. Their children were Josephine, born October II, 1880; Maria L , Henry O., Oelenda and Caleb born October 8, 1888; Joisah Converse, born May 16, 1941; Julia O., Marion B. Jose- phine married Waldo Johnson of Web. ster, Mass. died at twenty three. She wrote beautiful letters to her mother and her younger brothers and sisters, that during. her hopeless illness ex- pressed great faith, hope of the beyond and perfect resignation, although she had much to live for. Maria passed away at seventeen; Caleb was aoci- dentally shot when he was fourteen. Although the family life seemed filled with fatal and mournful events, that were really tragic, Mrs. Sparks met and bore these troubles with characteristic bravery.
 Marion was especially good tempered and always favorite with her friends She was ingenious, could do almost anything. Was musical and played the violin we'll, sometimes in church, from girlhood. Both she and Julia, without training, drew and painted pictures of flowers particularly that were very pretty. Julia was of al different tempermen, she had a gift for writing verse. most of religious nature. but very pretty and good. A fine Christian woman.
 Josiah O. Sparks married in 1870 Elizabeth Hale of Glastonbury, daugh- ter of William Hale. She died in 1876 and was buried in Glastonbury There were no children Josiah O. Sparks was buried in the old Glastonbury cemetery in the Hale family plot by the side of his dearly beloved wife of whom he often spoke with tenderest regret. Here at his request monU- ment will be erected to their memory.
 Family notes of general, as we'll as of particular interest, are Mrs. Oalista Converse Sparks was the daughter of Josiah Converse of Stafford and Joanna Alden. They had two daughters, Calista and Oelenda, the father dying two months before Celenda who married a MT. Isaac MoCoy was born The mother later married Leonard Holt of Wilmington. TheiR ohildrep were Oliver and Acenath. Mrs Calista Converse Sparks and Mrs Celenda Converse MoCoy united with the Baptist church in 1929 under tlse pastorate of Rev. MT. Mallroy.
 Josiah Sparks united with tho church here in youth and while living in Holyoke, Mass. in the employ of the Merrick s, was active in church, work there, He was made deacon of the Baptist church here during ths pastorate of Rev. Wilson B. Terry anH served faithfully for several years and until his health became brokeEA was a constant attendant of all the church services and activities and of the Sabbath school. He lost neither his faith nor his hope, but like others of his family was over much given tp introspection and lacked courage to face the lonliness of years. " "Blame not if oft in melancholy mood The thought of rest had been too far
 pursued.
 In the life and writings of Jared Sparks, Willington's most dis tinguished son, interesting mention is made of his mother, Eleanor Oroutt, and of her mother, Bethia Parker, both having had passion for good literature, and the grandmother wrote religious verse and had the gift of prophecy.
 John Merrick writes most apprecia- lively of this family, of the father who was carpenter, fine workman, with an interesting personality, and of Josiah, who was in his employ in Holyoke, faithful and upright in business and pleasant and companion. able always.
 Personally the writer recalls the family with greatest kindness as among the most cordial of all the family friends and pleasant people who made her, as a new conner, feel at home among them. Joseph Sparks, wife and their daughter, Miss Ellen, Mrs. Calista Converse Sparks, her son, Josiah and daughter, Miss Marion, Henry O. Sparks and wife, all fine oonVersationalists and very interesting, intelligent people, and all with an indomitable family pride exceptional even in those remaining of the old