Charles Sprague, St Johns, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 2000 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. MIGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed MIGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. _____________________________________________________________________ (From the 1925-26 St. Johns City Directory) Sprague, Charles (Mary) stock buyer, 307 W. Baldwin St. (Ford) (From the 1929 St. Johns City Directory, p. 95) Sprague Chas S live stock dir h309 W Baldwin (From the History of Clinton County, Michigan - published by the Clinton County Historical Society, St. Johns, MI, 1980) p. 75 #97 Crosby Family (First paragraph of this biography) In 1914 J.E. (Ed) Crosby owned a one hundred and twenty acre farm just south of St. Johns. He purchased eighty acres of muck land with two acres of peppermint on it from Charles Sprague. He had the mint hay hauled just north of Carson City in Gratiot County to be distilled. He was the leading pioneer of a new industry for Clinton County when he began raising peppermint on his farm. Before that time muck land was not considered to be very valuable. He constructed a distillery south of his home on US 27, and in a few years time mint production became a very important crop for Clinton County. In the very early years the mint oil was taken to Kalamazoo to be sold. Contracting was done with the A. M. Todd Company on a local basis, and this has continued to the present day. There are many uses for mint oil. Among these are the manufacture of Menthol, candy and gum flavoring, and medicinal uses. p. 503 Drainage of the swamps began about 1879 and continued for years, eventually resulting in some excellent agricultural land. It is claimed that the first peppermint raised in Clinton County was grown by Charles Sprague on thirty acres of the Perrin Marsh in Greenbush. *************************************************** OBITUARY - Charles S. Sprague (From the Clinton County Republican-News, St. Johns, MI, 1944, p. 2) Obituary Charles S. Sprague, son of Stephen and Sylvia Sprague, was born on a farm near South Butler, N.Y., Sept. 1, 1857 and died at his home in St. Johns Nov. 30, 1944, at the age of 87 years. Mr. Sprague was married to Mary A. Fries of Rochester, N.Y., and came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Greenbush township in 1883. Mrs. Sprague died at her home in St. Johns April 10, 1939. To this union was born one daughter, Lilly A., now Mrs. Myron Ward. Soon after coming to Michigan he engaged in the livestock business, then branched out into the general elevator business as a buyer and shipper of grain, beans, wool, and hay, which he conducted until 1918. Since that time he has devoted his efforts to buying wool and livestock and the management of his farms, having bought wool continuously over a period of 40 years. "Charley" Sprague was known far and wide for the reputation he had gained for his fair dealing with his fellow men and for his charitable nature. He was beloved by old and young and great lover of the children, who in his declining years, followed him continually as he cultivated his flowers and garden. He was a wonderful father and always devoted to his home and family who will miss him greatly and deeply mourn their loss. He was greatly interested in politics and current events and an ardent baseball fan and spent many hours at his radio listening to world news and the ball games and he retained his interests and keen faculties until the end came. Besides his daughter he leaves one sister, Mrs. A. H. Harwood of Savannah, N.Y., and one brother, Will E. of Seattle, Washington, and many nieces and nephews. Due to his charitable and friendly nature this good citizen will be missed greatly in the community by all who knew him and the memories of his good works and deeds will endure forever. Funeral services were held at the Eberts funeral home Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3, and burial was made in Mt. Rest cemetery, Rev. Ray Caldwell officiating. The pallbearers were LeRoy Hyke, Clarence Conklin, Ward Vail, Art Bullard, Charles Flower and Richard Harris. Mrs. Manning Bross and Mrs. Floyd Countryman sang "Saved By Grace" and "In the Garden." ******************************************************************** Certificate of Death Michigan Department of Health Bureau of Records and Statistics Full Name: Charles S. SPRAGUE State File No. 251 Local File No. 108 Place of Death County: Clinton City or village: St. Johns Name of hospital (If not in hospital, give street address): 309 W. Baldwin Length of stay in this community: 62 yrs. Usual Residence of Deceased State: Michigan County: Clinton City or village: St. Johns Street no: 309 W. Baldwin Sex: M Color or Race: W Single, Married, Widowed, or Divorced: Widowed Birth date of deceased: Sept. 1, 1857 Age Years: 87 Months: 2 Days: 29 Birthplace: South Butler, NY Usual occupation: Stock Buyer Father: Stephen Sprague Birthplace: South Butler, NY Mother: Sylvia Hall Birthplace: South Butler, NY Informant: Myron Ward Address: 309 W. Baldwin, ST. Johns, MI Burial Place: St. Johns, MI Cemetery: Mt. Rest Date: 12-3, 1944 Funeral director: D. B. Ebert Address: St. Johns, MI Filed: 12-1, 1944 Jessie A. Finch, Local Registrar Medical Certification Date of death: November 30, 1944 Duration: 14 days I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from 11-15, 1944 to 11-30, 1944. I last saw him alive on 11-30, 1944. Death is said to have occurred on the date stated above at 4 a.m. Immediate cause of death: Influenza; secondary senility Signature: Guy H. Frace, M.D. Address: St. Johns, MI