The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-05-10
VETERAN BANKER
CITIZEN PASSES ON
Cassius M. Sprague Died Early
Tuesday; Funeral This
Thursday Afternoon
EIGHTY-ONE YEARS OLD
Active i'm Business, Civic and
Fraternal Life of Sank
Centre for 63 Years

Z
landmark of Sank Centre for 90
years, passed into his eternal sleep
at his home on Elm Street Tues
day, May 8, at 500 o'clock A. M
Mr.. Sprague suffered an attack
of flu in March. His advanced
years retarded his recovery and
about four weeks prior to his death
neuritis developed. A gradual Civ,
ing way of his strong mental fac
ulties followed. He sank into a
state of coma several days before
the end came, peacefully.
The citizens of Sank Centre
realized that his race was nearly
run but they followed every bull
letin which came from his bedside
with marked interest.
Even in his declining years he
was active in his business affairs as
president of the First National
Bank of this city. His courtesy
bearing, genial smile, kindly dis
position and upright character
made him one of the outstanding
citizens of this community.
Cassius M. Sprague was born in
Will county, Illinois, Dec. II, 1916.
His parents moved to Hastings,
Mimi, in 1854. In 1862 he served
as a citizen soldier in defending
Fort Ridgely from the ravages of
the Sioux. Following the quelling
of the Indians at Fort Ridgely he
enlisted in Co. g., First Minnesota
Mounted Rangers and served with
Gen. Sibley against the Sioux In
dams along the Missouri river. In
February, 1865, he enlisted in Co.
f, Second Vol. Unfit, was appointed
corporal and joined Sherman's
army at Goldsborough, N. C. He
was mustered out of service after
Lees surrender.
The deceased came to Sank
Centre shortly after the close of
the war. He became clerk in the
general store of zimmerman & Cap
ser in March 1866. A few years
later Mr.. Sprague entered the mer-
camille business in partnership with
the late Joseph Capser. The bust
ness was located in small building
corner of Third and Main on the
site now occupied by the Mer-
chants National Bank. Mr.. Sprague
sold his interest in the business to
Mr., Capser in 1877. He then en-
gagged in the brokerage business for
a time. In 1880 in company with
the late j. B. Perkins he opened
a drug store on Main street in
the building now occupied by the
Sank Centre Candy Kitchen.
Mr.. Sprague entered the bank
ing business in Sank Centrf in
1884 when in company with Henry
Keller, S. M. Bruce, Walter P.
Lambert, J. ". Brewer, j. A..
Lawrence and Frederick Williams
organized the First National Bank
of Sank Centre. Mr.. Keller be-
came president of the bank, Mr..
Bruce vice president, and Mr..
Sprague cashier. He retained this
position until 1902 when he be-
came president and F. w. Sprague
became cashier.
In the earlier years of his life
MIR. Sprague took an active and
intelligent interest in the civic at
fairs of Sank Centre. He served
as member of the village council,
village and city treasurer, member
of the school and library boards.
Mr.. Sprague was prominent in
politics and for many years was
one of the best known Republicans
in Central Minnesota. He served
as member of the State Board of
Equalization for eight years prior
to the abolishment of the Board
when it was succeeded by the tax
commission. For three years Mr..
Sprague was president of the
Board. AT the request of many
friends he was a candidate for the
Republican nomination of Lieu
tenant Governor at the Duluth
convention in 1906.
Mr.. Sprague was lover of
Oddfellowship, and was one of the
best known members in Minneso-
ia. He was initiated to member
ship of Sank Centre Lodge No. I'd,
April 10, 1872. He served in every
official capacity of Sank Centre
Lodge.
When Crescent Encampment No.
21, of Odd Fellows was organized
in this city in 1880 he became a
charter member. He was also a
charter member of Valparaiso Re-
bekah Lodge No. 80, Sank Centre,
organized in 1893. He has been
treasurer of Sank Centre lodge for
a great many years.
Mr.. Sprague was elected Grand
Master of the Minnesota Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows in 1889, end
reelected in 1890. He was Grand
Representative from Minnesota to
the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1880
and 1892.
In 1892 the deceased was elect
ed Grand Treasurer of the Mime
sofa Grand Lodge, resigning in
January, 1927, after having serv-
ed continuously for 35 years. He
was one of the sponsors of the
Odd Fellows Home at Mortified
and for years was a director of the
Institution. Mr.. Sprague was one
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