Obit for Andrew M. Sprague - Kingfisher County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Barbara Clayton OklahomaClaytons@aol.com Return to Kingfisher County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/kingfisher/kingfisher.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== Source: KINGFISHER DAILY FREE PRESS, Monday, April 5, 1915 - OBITUARY. Andrew M. SPRAGUE was born in Paris, Canada, November 27, 1834. Died in Kingfisher, Okla., April 3, 1915, aged eighty years, four months and fifteen days. The boyhood of Dr. SPRAGUE was spent in Ohio and Michigan, and though his educational advantages were extremely limited, as might be expected in a log cabin school house in a new country, he was an apt student and acquired knowledge readily. Of his class mates and young friends of that immediate district and period, eight are now successful physicians and four are able members of the bar. At eighteen years of age Dr. SPRAGUE commenced teaching school, and as early as 1858 began the study of medicine at Crown Point with Dr. PRATT. In July, 1862, Dr. SPRAGUE enlisted in Company A, 73rd Ind. Vol. In., and was mustered into the service at South Bend as surgeon. Just at this time occurred his brother's funeral and turning from his lonely grave, the young soldier who had recently taken the oath of allegiance, started for southern battlefields, joining his regiment at Louisville. Later he took part in the terrible conflicts at Richmond, Perryville and Stone River and on the 15th of February 1863, succumbed to illness and for weeks languished in hospitals at Murfeesboro and Nashville. When convalescent he acted as a steward in hospitals until November 27, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. When he had recovered from his army experience sufficiently Dr. SPRAGUE embarked in medical practice at Grand Rapids, Mich., and remained in that city until 1876, when he returned to the Hoosier state and for two years practiced his profession at Koutz. In November, 1878, he located in Rice county, Kans., at a place now known as Frederick, and dwelt there for fourteen years. In the meantime he pursued a thorough course in the Chicago Homeopathic College, attending lectures there two seasons. In April 1892, he came to Kingfisher and was actively engaged in practice here until about ten years ago, when he retired on account of failing health. In social and fraternal circles, as well as in his profession, Dr. SPRAGUE was very popular with all who knew him. He was identified with the Masonic order, and was past commander of Kingfisher Post No. 2 G.A.R. and surgeon general of the department of Oklahoma, with the rank of general, now serving his second term in this important position. He was a trustee of the Baptist church, and as chairman of the building committee, played a very active part in its history. In his political faith he was an uncompromising Republican. The wife of our subject's early manhood bore the maiden name of Juline M. YOUNG, and their marriage took place in Huron county, Ohio. She was born in that locality and died in Lowell, Mich., leaving two children: Frances, now Mrs. ROSENKRANZ, of Butte, Okla., and Edwin, a printer, who died in Washington. In Lyons, Kan., occurred the marriage of Dr. SPRAGUE and Miss Dora PETERSON, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, received a fine education and came to the United States previous to her father's death. She was born in a house which was built in 1600 by her ancestor, Jacob PETERSON and the property descended to her father who bore the same Christian name. One child blesses the union of the doctor and wife, namely, Josephine MAYSE, now living in Montana. Funeral services were conducted in the Baptist church by his pastor, Rev. Gordon BARRETT, in the presence of a large audience of sorrowing friends. The Ladies of the Circle, the Old Soldiers and the Masons took a part in the services. A great and good man is at rest.