D.W. SPARKS
History of Arizona, 1898

D.W. Sparks, who, now retired from the active duties of 
life, resides in Phoenix Arizona. Mr. Sparks was born in 
Bedford County, Pennsylvania , July 15, 1833, son of 
Joseph S. and Elizabeth (Naill) Sparks, the former an 
native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland.  For 
many years the father followed agricultural pursuits in 
his native state but in 1851 removed to Illinois and 
settled in Bureau County, where he died in 1869.  The 
mother passed away in 1894 at the advanced age of ninety-
four years.  Their family consisted of nine children, of 
whom our subject was seventh in order of birth.

The latter remained on a farm in his native county until 
seventeen years old, attended the district school, and 
then in 1851 moved with his parents to Illinois.  They 
made the journey to Pittsburgh in wagons and from there 
by water to Rock Island.  Young Sparks remained in Bureau 
County until 1889, assisted his father on the farm until 
twenty five years old and afterwards engaged in 
merchandising at Wyanet, Illinois.  Three years later 
he sold out and started a hack line and livery business 
and carried this on very successfully until the breaking 
out of the war.  In the year 1861 he enlisted, first in 
the three months call for troops, but later (his company 
not being accepted) in Company H, Twelfth Illinois 
Volunteers, serving until the following August, when 
his time having expired he was discharged.  In July 
1862 he enlisted in Company C, Ninety Third Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry and at the organization he was 
elected adjutant of the regiment, a position he 
filled until December 31, 1862.  Then resigning his 
position he returned home and engaged in cultivating 
the soil, following this for three years. After this 
he was engaged in merchandising for one year and in 
1867 was employed as traveling salesman for Williamson, 
Gray and Company, wholesale cutlery, of Chicago and 
remained with this company for two years.  He was also 
with George B. Standart, wholesale hardware merchant 
of Chicago for one year and for three years traveled 
on his own account with a line of specialties.  For 
five years he was traveling for a boot and shoe house 
of Chicago, Snobel and Company and afterward for five 
years was with a barbed wire company of Chicago.  
Following this he embarked in business at Wyanet, 
Illinois and remained there until 1889 when he decided 
to locate in the West.

He came to Phoenix in the last named year and having 
brought a part of his stock, which consisted of millinery, 
dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, etc. established a 
store known as the Racket which he conducted until February 
26, 1896.  He then sold out and is now engaged in mining, 
having stock in several mining claims which have good 
prospects.  Mr. Sparks owns some excellent property in 
Phoenix and is one of the substantial men of the city.  
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

On the 28th of June, 1863, Mr. Sparks was married to Miss 
Evaline Pomeroy, a native of Bureau County, Illinois and 
they have three children: Ione; Joseph L., a conductor on 
the Southern Pacific Railroad and Ralph W., a student in 
the State University.  Mr. Sparks and his family hold 
membership in the Methodist Church.

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