Jack Co., TX - Obituaries - Judge Thomas D. Sporer *********************************************** 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 Jacksboro, Jack County, Texas Thursday, January 4, 1917 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 motherÕs 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 Ð Mrs. H.H. Key and Miss Margaret who survived him; two brothers Ð Frank Sporer of Sherman, Texas and Charles Sporer of Chicago; one sister Ð Miss Josephine Sporer of Sherman.