Spraguee  
 
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     ERNEST F. SPRAGUE is handling at the present time, a furniture and undertaking establishment, which is one of the prominent business houses of the town of Wenatchee and has been since 1901.  Mr. Sprague is one of the substantial citizens of the town, is a man of uprightness and integrity and has always so conducted himself as to win the respect and esteem of all.  He was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, December 5, 1855, the son of Amos P. and Susan (Reed) Sprague, natives of New York.  The father is descended from a prominent New England family which has always played a conspicuous part in governmental affairs.  His cousin was governor of Rhode Island and others held leading positions.  He died in 1877 while in Virginia.  The mother now lives with her son at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the Reeds were prominent people in New England.  Thomas B. Reed was a member of the family.  Our subject was educated in the district schools until twelve and then completed his training in a business college.  When twelve he took a man's place on the home farm until twenty-five.  Then he came west and learned painting and finishing and followed the same for many years during summer months.  In the winters, he did nursing.  In 1897, Mr. Sprague came to Puyallup and opened a furniture and undertaking business.  Later he went to Montana and then returned to Puyallup, whence in 1901 he came to Wenatchee and continued the business he had followed on the coast, and in which we find him engaged at the present time.  Mr. Sprague handles a good stock of furniture and is also a licensed state embalmer.
     Mr. Sprague has three brothers and one sister: Amos D. and Frank, Baptist ministers; Edwin; and Clara M., wife of Fred Poppy, of Sauk county, Wisconsin.
     In March, 1884, Mr. Sprague married Miss Nellie Starks, at Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  Her parents were natives of New Hampshire and her father was a general in the Mexican War.  Later he was warden of the state penitentiary of Wisconsin for many years.  His son, Captain John Starks, died from a wound received in the battle of Shiloh.  In 1887 Mrs. Sprague died.  Two children had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sprague, both dying in infancy.  In 1889 Mr. Sprague married Bertha Carr, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, whose parents, Alonzo and Mary (Dearholt) Carr, were natives of Ohio.  The father now lives in Wisconsin.  The mother died in 1884.  The children of this household are named as follows, Ernest R., Preston A., Clara M., and Ruth T.  Mr. Sprague is a member of the M. W. A., and the Yeomen.  In political faith he is with the Republicans, and takes an active part but never aspires to personal preferment for political positions.