William Tecumseh Sprague

born: 19 Nov 1873, Sterling,Johnson Co.,Nebraska
died: 29 Nov 1956, Huron,Beadle Co.,South Dakota
spouse: Isabelle Elisabeth ``Belle'' BLOODGOOD
marr: 17 Jan 1900, Pearl Creek,Beadle Co.,South Dakota
born: 19 Feb 1875, Linn Co.,Iowa
died: 3 Jan 1956, Groton,Brown Co.,South Dakota
bur.: 7 Jan 1956, Huron,Beadle Co.,South Dakota, at Riverside Cemetery
Children:
Gene Elisabeth SPRAGUE
Phillip Charles SPRAGUE
Helen Elsie SPRAGUE

Pedigree Chart

                      |--------
                      |
           |---------
           |          |
           |          |--------
           |
  |------Charles Samuel SPRAGUE (1838, Ohio - 1922, South Dakota)
  |        |
  |        |          |--------
  |        |          |
  |        |---------
  |                   |
  |                   |--------
  |
William Tecumseh SPRAGUE (1873, Nebraska - 1956, South Dakota)
  |
  |                   |--------James MATTHEWS (1779, Virginia - 1837, Indiana)
  |                   |
  |        |---------Tunstal Quarles MATTHEWS (1807, Kentucky - 1878, Nebraska)
  |        |          |
  |        |          |--------Margaret REED (1784 - 1824, Ohio)
  |        |
  |------Lucinda MATTHEWS (1844, Indiana - 1918, South Dakota)
           |
           |          |--------
           |          |
           |---------Harriet STONE (1808, New York - 1895, South Dakota)
                      |
                      |--------
He was called Will. He was blamed for his older sister Nettie's death because he kicked her. She died of erysipelas, an inflammation of the skin.

During the blizzard of '88, Will led the teacher and pupils in the Miller School to safety at his nearby home. Three of the children were from the Miller family. He taught in Richland Township of Beadle Co. from Oct. 9, 1893 to Jan. 6, 1894 at a salary of $30 a month with 21 pupils. He taught in Logan township of Beadle County from Sept. 17, 1894 to April 5, 1895 at a salary of $30 a month. He had 5 male and 5 female students. He and his sister Bertha went to North Dakota together to teach.

He was married by J.P. Jenkins, an elder in the M.E. church. He farmed on rented land in Pearl Creek Township after his marriage.

On May 5, 1910, Will bought with a warranty deed from A.L. Kinkead, part of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 2 of Clyde Township on the west side of Huron\footnote{book 176, page 170}. He paid $200 for 1 acre of land. This was across the road from the state fair grounds. In early times it was known as the Carson place. He gardened here and sold produce. He also rented the school section and raised potatoes. He built a cave to store vegetables and delivered to stores and cafes. He bought land from his father-in-law. He built one house where Gene and Philip were born, then built another house where Helen was born. Will enjoyed politics, but didn't run for office because his wife didn't want him to. (This account written by Shirley (Anderson) Reed).

Sources for this individual: @S405@

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