Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Sproat, Thomas W 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 12:19 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

THOMAS W. SPROAT has resided on his present farm since 1890. During that year 
he came from Cook into Will County and purchased one hundred acres on Maple 
street, of which eighty acres is in New Lenox Township, where he has since 
made his home. The farm at that time was in a run-down condition, its 
buildings were old and its fences unsightly. Under his supervision a 
remarkable transformation had been effected in the appearance of the place, 
which now ranks with the best in the township. In 1893 a substantial and large 
barn was built, and four years later a fine residence was erected, while other 
improvements have been made from time to time. In addition to general farming 
he has engaged in raising cattle and has also carried on a dairy business. The 
father of our subject, John Sproat, was born in Scotland, and after he was 
married came to America about 1846, settling near Geneva, in Seneca County, N. 
Y. In 1854 he came west to Illinois, spending a year in Hadley, Will County. 
In 1849 he moved to Black Oak (now Oaklawn), Cook County, where he has since 
successfully followed farming, but is now, at seventy-eight years, somewhat 
retired from active business cares. Since the organization of the Republican 
party he has voted for its principles and supported its candidates in local 
and general elections. On a question of politics there is never any doubt 
where to find him; he is squarely and openly for protection of home 
industries, for sound money and for expansion. By his marriage to Elizabeth 
McCullah, of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, he had four children, namely: Thomas W.; 
Ellen, wife of Chester H. Marr; Mary E., who married James Crandall; and John 
R., a farmer in New Lenox Township. Thomas W. Sproat was born in Seneca 
County, N. Y., August 24, 1851. He was a small child when the family settled 
in Illinois, and he passed the years of youth in Cook County, where his 
education was obtained in the public schools. He gained his knowledge of 
agriculture by working on his father's farm, and he continued to reside in 
Cook County until his removal to his present property. Like his father he is a 
stanch Republican, and like him, he has never aspired to public office, but 
aids the party in every way possible and assists his friends who are 
candidates for office. May 12, 1880, his marriage occurred to Miss Ruby 
Crandall, daughter of John Crandall, deceased, an old settler and wealthy 
farmer of Worth Township, Cook County. John Crandall married Jane McKenzie, 
daughter of William and Jeanette (Weir) McKenzie. The latter, a native of 
Scotland, is yet living at Worth, aged ninety-one years, and is in full 
possession of all her faculties. Mr. and Mrs. John Crandall were the parents 
of seven children: James A.; Harriet J., wife of Benjamin Crandall; Mrs. Ruby 
Sproat; Mrs. Mary Biedenkopf; Daniel L.; John (deceased); and Ellen J., at 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Sproat are the parents of five children, namely: Jessie 
May, wife of Edward Blee; Frank Edwin, who died aged ten months; Laura Ella, 
John Franklin and Alfred Leroy. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of New Lenox.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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