Jack County, TX - Newspaper - Jacksboro Gazette, January 4, 1917 ************************************************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************************* The Jacksboro Gazette January 4 1917 Location: Jacksboro Source: Jacksboro Public Library MIcrofilms Description: Judge Thomas Sporer dies; Personals The Farmers Union Co. are fitting up a ladies rest room in the building formerly occupied by the Young drug store. This restroom will contain water and water basin, glass and toilet necessities and seats. One by one the men who were identified with the early life of Jacksboro and Jack county are being called away. Early 23 December 1916, the summons came to Judge Thomas D. Sporer, that his work on earth was finished, to come up higher. Judge Thomas D. Sporer was in his 60th year. He was born in Gallaton, Tennessee, 15 May 1867. His father was Professor F.A. sporer and his mother Mrs. Sophia Bain Sporer. His paternal grandfather was born in Bardon, Germany. On his mothers side was of Scotch descent and came of a long line of distinguished Presbyterian ministers. In his life he exemplified these parental idleness by his scholarly accomplishments and his strong affiliation with the moral and religious movements of the community. He received his academic training in Austin College, Sherman, Texas, one of the leading colleges of Texas, many of whose alumni are now filling important places of trust and responsibilitiy. He studied law and was admitted to the practice of law at Sherman in 1880 or 1881. He removed to Jacksboro, Texas in 1882, where he permanently located. In 1882 Jacksboro was a very much frontier town. The county was thinly settled, there was but little farming and most of the country was an unfenced open range. Soon after coming to Jacksboro he identified himself with the Presbyterian church of which he had been a member since his boyhood. After giving up his work as superintendent he became teacher of the Adult Bible classes. He was devoted to this kind of work, and made an exhaustive study of each lesson before appearing in the presence of the class. With the assistance of others at a very early date they organized the Sunday schools of Jack County, and there was held at Jacksboro one of the best attended, most enthusiastic and helpful county Sunday school conventions ever held in Jack County. He held several official positions on his church board, and was regarded as an authority in church history and jurisprudence. His home was ever open to visiting ministers, and he entertained them so cordially and hospitably as to endear them ever after to him and his familiy. In politics he was a sterling and uncompromising Democrat of the old school. Judge Sporer was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Masons. He became a master Mason soon after coming to Jacksboro. When the Royal Arch Chapter was instituted he took the chapter and council degrees, and when the Commandery was granted to Jacksboro he became a Knights Templar. In 1913, he was appointed Deputy General Master of the 89th Masonic District. He was connected with the organization of the First National Bank of Jacksboro, was its attorney and one of its directors at the time of his death. He was a general attorney for the Gulf, Texas and Western railway Company. As an attorney he was well known throughout the State. His practice extended over many counties. He was well known in our higher courts having appeared there a great deal in his practice. He had the honor of appearing before the Supreme Court of the United States in the celebrated case of the T.&P. Railway Co. and Tucker vs. Eastin & Knox, a distinction that but few lawyers attain. This case was hard fought by the railway company. He won it in the district court of Parker county where it was tried by the late Judge J.W. Patterson. On April 23, 1909, Judge Sporer appeared before the Supreme Court. He practiced law in Jacksboro for 34 years. He was married 6 November 1889 to Miss Winnie McClure, who was the daughter of Dr. R.L. McClure, so well known to the people of Jack county before his death. The family consists of his wife, two daughters Mrs. H.H. Key and Miss Margaret who survived him; two brothers Frank Sporer of Sherman, Texas and Charles Sporer of Chicago; one sister Miss Josephine Sporer of Sherman. Union Point News A.W. Fenter M.L. Fenter Mr.s E.E. Ellis Mr. And Mrs. A.K. Hayhurst Miss Elsie Fenter G.W. Fenter L.L. Watson is our school teacher. J.W. White of Antelope visited old friends. Baylor County Banner Rev. and Mrs. J.F. Murrell of Ladonia visted Mr. Murrells brothers, F.E. and L.E. Murrell. Henrietta Independent. Miss Edna, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. P.E. bock has been studying voice in Boston for two seasons. Mineral Wells Index Ross Harmonson and Frank Jones were in from West Fork Country Archer Dispatch At the earnest solicitation of her husband and her son, Mrs. S.W. Pistole has reluctantly decided to give up her work as principal of the primary ward school. Thus ends a service of 18 years with the Seymour schools, nine and a half being with the ward school. It is with much regret on the part of the trustees and teachers that the resignation was accepted, and some of this regret will be expressed in appropriate resolutions. The public at large will join in these sentiments and the best wishes are extended Mrs. Pistole for her future welfare and happiness. Baylor County Banner Elbert Champion who is one of Jack Countys best farmers spent Christmas in Crafton. Chico Review Jacksboro Personals J.D. Avis of Wichita Falls Rev. B.F. Dickenson of Vineyard Paul Brown of Decatur visited his parents. L.L. Epps, who recently went to Young County from Jacks County located five miles south of Jean in the Indian Mound community. Miss Ruth Martin came up from T.C.U. to visit her brother, Mr. And Mrs. Clark Martin. Miss Hazel Hensley left for Ardmore, Oklahoma to visit her uncle and aunt, Mr. And Mrs. R.A. Hefner. Mr. And Mrs. Corbett Steadman of Little Rock visited Mrs. Steadmans sister, Mrs. Sil Stark. Mrs. Starks mother, Mrs. Mattie Steadman also came in. Doyle Specht visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Specht. Mrs. T.N. Brown from Wichita Falls visited her sister, Mrs. E.W. Nicholson. A.M. Lasater of San Angelo visited his daughter, Mrs. F.G. Huckabay. Mrs. Billy Leeman visited her parents, Mr. And Mrs. R.E. Hadley of Weinert. Prof. And Mrs. C.C. Bock of Perrin visited Mrs. Bocks parents, Mr. and Rms. Frank Specht. Robert Davidson visited in Dallas to attend the birthday of Dr. Buckner, his great-grandfather. Miss Erna Banner of Fort Worth visited her aunts, Mrs. S.W. Knox and Mrs. L.C. McClelland. Ray S. Spivey of Fellows, California visited his brother, Hugh Spivey of Jacksboro and his parents, Mr. And rms. J.H. Spivey of Clay County. Lee Coffman and wife of Truscott and Mrs. L. Peen and son visited. Mr. Coffman is well known to old timers in Jack County. Mrs. E.C. Huckabee visited Rev. and Mrs. R.N. Huckabee left for Wichita Falls where Mr. Huckabee has pastoral work in the Methodist church.