Fl. Pfc US Army WWI
Nathaniel Sparkman (32154704)
Florida native Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman was born in Tampa, Florida on June 23rd 1894 to Stephen M Sparkman Sr. and Mary Ellen Hooker Sparkman.
His family was prominent in the Tampa area. During the year Nathaniel was born, his Father Stephen was nominated for Congress.
The following is quoted from an article published in The Tampa Tribune on June 22nd 1985:
“Man behind the port"
A self-made man who became head of the Rivers and Harbors Committee, Stephen M. Sparkman was the force behind the creation of the port of Tampa.
With Harbour Island focusing attention on Tampa’s waterfront, it seems appropriate to write today about the man who made the city’s port possible. For it had not been for Stephen M. Sparkman, Hillsborough Bay today might still be a shallow backwater inaccessible to larger ships.
Sparkman landed a seat in Congress 90 years ago at a crucial time in the city’s history-- and he soon gained an influential voice on channel-deepening projects as a member of the Rivers and Harbors Committee.
Tampa attained an immense advantage as a booming phosphate port, thanks to this country boy with little formal schooling but an intense passion for learning.
Born in Hernando County in 1849, Sparkman moved East Hillsborough as a youngster. He lived with various relatives after the death of his father, Nathaniel Sparkman.
A story related by his grandson, artist Lamar Sparkman, tells of his plowing fields for an uncle who made sure the work continued by trying a bell to the mule. With no leisure time, but anxious to read the few books he could borrow, young Stephen managed to sound busy. He kept the bell ringing by attaching it to his foot while he found a shady spot and read.
The eager scholar eventually qualified to teach, and reputedly taught in the little schoolhouse preserved on the grounds of the University of Tampa. He also gained a friend who took fatherly interest in encouraging him to study law.
In the office of attorney Henry Laurens Mitchell, Sparkman continued his reading, and he successfully passed his bar examination in October 1872. He hung up his own shingle and practiced law for a while in Polk County.
While he was there he met and married Ellen Hooker, of a pioneer Fort Meade cattle and citrus family.
In 1878, the young lawyer was appointed state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which spread from Cedar Key to Key West. His mentor, Mitchell, had been appointed circuit judge the previous year.”
Nathaniel enlisted to serve the Florida Army National Guard on July 26th 1917… He served as Private First Class in 3rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard; Private 1st Class in the Quartermasters Corps and Private First Class in Company C, Officers Training Camp at Gordon, Georgia until his Honorable Discharge on November 30th 1918.
Mr. Sparkman married his wife Eleanor Josephine Gates on October 9th 1922. The couple had 2 children. Nathaniel supported the family by working in Sales and Advertising.
** Mr. Sparkman was the Uncle of Lieut. Enoch Devane Jr. who was tragically killed as his plane crashed during the night training flight from Marine air base at Santa Barbara, California on July 29th 1943… (We featured the young Lieutenant's story on October 30th 2018).
Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman passed away on June 11th 1971.
The following is quoted from Mr. Sparkman’s Death Notice published in The Tampa Tribune on June 12th 1971:
“NATHANIEL K. SPARKMAN
Nathaniel K. (Nat) Sparkman, 74[sic], 504 Azeele St., died Friday. The son of the late Congressman S. M. Sparkman, he was a lifetime resident and a Methodist. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Gates Sparkman; a daughter, Mrs. Joe L. Reed; three sisters, Mrs. Rollin Jefferson, Mrs. Charles E. Ball and Mrs. E. C. DeVane and a brother, S.M. Sparkman.”
Contributor: Babs (46558901) • [email protected]
Nathaniel Sparkman (32154704)
Florida native Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman was born in Tampa, Florida on June 23rd 1894 to Stephen M Sparkman Sr. and Mary Ellen Hooker Sparkman.
His family was prominent in the Tampa area. During the year Nathaniel was born, his Father Stephen was nominated for Congress.
The following is quoted from an article published in The Tampa Tribune on June 22nd 1985:
“Man behind the port"
A self-made man who became head of the Rivers and Harbors Committee, Stephen M. Sparkman was the force behind the creation of the port of Tampa.
With Harbour Island focusing attention on Tampa’s waterfront, it seems appropriate to write today about the man who made the city’s port possible. For it had not been for Stephen M. Sparkman, Hillsborough Bay today might still be a shallow backwater inaccessible to larger ships.
Sparkman landed a seat in Congress 90 years ago at a crucial time in the city’s history-- and he soon gained an influential voice on channel-deepening projects as a member of the Rivers and Harbors Committee.
Tampa attained an immense advantage as a booming phosphate port, thanks to this country boy with little formal schooling but an intense passion for learning.
Born in Hernando County in 1849, Sparkman moved East Hillsborough as a youngster. He lived with various relatives after the death of his father, Nathaniel Sparkman.
A story related by his grandson, artist Lamar Sparkman, tells of his plowing fields for an uncle who made sure the work continued by trying a bell to the mule. With no leisure time, but anxious to read the few books he could borrow, young Stephen managed to sound busy. He kept the bell ringing by attaching it to his foot while he found a shady spot and read.
The eager scholar eventually qualified to teach, and reputedly taught in the little schoolhouse preserved on the grounds of the University of Tampa. He also gained a friend who took fatherly interest in encouraging him to study law.
In the office of attorney Henry Laurens Mitchell, Sparkman continued his reading, and he successfully passed his bar examination in October 1872. He hung up his own shingle and practiced law for a while in Polk County.
While he was there he met and married Ellen Hooker, of a pioneer Fort Meade cattle and citrus family.
In 1878, the young lawyer was appointed state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which spread from Cedar Key to Key West. His mentor, Mitchell, had been appointed circuit judge the previous year.”
Nathaniel enlisted to serve the Florida Army National Guard on July 26th 1917… He served as Private First Class in 3rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard; Private 1st Class in the Quartermasters Corps and Private First Class in Company C, Officers Training Camp at Gordon, Georgia until his Honorable Discharge on November 30th 1918.
Mr. Sparkman married his wife Eleanor Josephine Gates on October 9th 1922. The couple had 2 children. Nathaniel supported the family by working in Sales and Advertising.
** Mr. Sparkman was the Uncle of Lieut. Enoch Devane Jr. who was tragically killed as his plane crashed during the night training flight from Marine air base at Santa Barbara, California on July 29th 1943… (We featured the young Lieutenant's story on October 30th 2018).
Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman passed away on June 11th 1971.
The following is quoted from Mr. Sparkman’s Death Notice published in The Tampa Tribune on June 12th 1971:
“NATHANIEL K. SPARKMAN
Nathaniel K. (Nat) Sparkman, 74[sic], 504 Azeele St., died Friday. The son of the late Congressman S. M. Sparkman, he was a lifetime resident and a Methodist. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Gates Sparkman; a daughter, Mrs. Joe L. Reed; three sisters, Mrs. Rollin Jefferson, Mrs. Charles E. Ball and Mrs. E. C. DeVane and a brother, S.M. Sparkman.”
Contributor: Babs (46558901) • [email protected]
Fl. Pfc US Army WWI
Nathaniel Sparkman (32154704)
Florida native Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman was born in Tampa, Florida on June 23rd 1894 to Stephen M Sparkman Sr. and Mary Ellen Hooker Sparkman.
His family was prominent in the Tampa area. During the year Nathaniel was born, his Father Stephen was nominated for Congress.
The following is quoted from an article published in The Tampa Tribune on June 22nd 1985:
“Man behind the port"
A self-made man who became head of the Rivers and Harbors Committee, Stephen M. Sparkman was the force behind the creation of the port of Tampa.
With Harbour Island focusing attention on Tampa’s waterfront, it seems appropriate to write today about the man who made the city’s port possible. For it had not been for Stephen M. Sparkman, Hillsborough Bay today might still be a shallow backwater inaccessible to larger ships.
Sparkman landed a seat in Congress 90 years ago at a crucial time in the city’s history-- and he soon gained an influential voice on channel-deepening projects as a member of the Rivers and Harbors Committee.
Tampa attained an immense advantage as a booming phosphate port, thanks to this country boy with little formal schooling but an intense passion for learning.
Born in Hernando County in 1849, Sparkman moved East Hillsborough as a youngster. He lived with various relatives after the death of his father, Nathaniel Sparkman.
A story related by his grandson, artist Lamar Sparkman, tells of his plowing fields for an uncle who made sure the work continued by trying a bell to the mule. With no leisure time, but anxious to read the few books he could borrow, young Stephen managed to sound busy. He kept the bell ringing by attaching it to his foot while he found a shady spot and read.
The eager scholar eventually qualified to teach, and reputedly taught in the little schoolhouse preserved on the grounds of the University of Tampa. He also gained a friend who took fatherly interest in encouraging him to study law.
In the office of attorney Henry Laurens Mitchell, Sparkman continued his reading, and he successfully passed his bar examination in October 1872. He hung up his own shingle and practiced law for a while in Polk County.
While he was there he met and married Ellen Hooker, of a pioneer Fort Meade cattle and citrus family.
In 1878, the young lawyer was appointed state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which spread from Cedar Key to Key West. His mentor, Mitchell, had been appointed circuit judge the previous year.”
Nathaniel enlisted to serve the Florida Army National Guard on July 26th 1917… He served as Private First Class in 3rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard; Private 1st Class in the Quartermasters Corps and Private First Class in Company C, Officers Training Camp at Gordon, Georgia until his Honorable Discharge on November 30th 1918.
Mr. Sparkman married his wife Eleanor Josephine Gates on October 9th 1922. The couple had 2 children. Nathaniel supported the family by working in Sales and Advertising.
** Mr. Sparkman was the Uncle of Lieut. Enoch Devane Jr. who was tragically killed as his plane crashed during the night training flight from Marine air base at Santa Barbara, California on July 29th 1943… (We featured the young Lieutenant's story on October 30th 2018).
Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman passed away on June 11th 1971.
The following is quoted from Mr. Sparkman’s Death Notice published in The Tampa Tribune on June 12th 1971:
“NATHANIEL K. SPARKMAN
Nathaniel K. (Nat) Sparkman, 74[sic], 504 Azeele St., died Friday. The son of the late Congressman S. M. Sparkman, he was a lifetime resident and a Methodist. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Gates Sparkman; a daughter, Mrs. Joe L. Reed; three sisters, Mrs. Rollin Jefferson, Mrs. Charles E. Ball and Mrs. E. C. DeVane and a brother, S.M. Sparkman.”
Contributor: Babs (46558901) • [email protected]
Nathaniel Sparkman (32154704)
Florida native Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman was born in Tampa, Florida on June 23rd 1894 to Stephen M Sparkman Sr. and Mary Ellen Hooker Sparkman.
His family was prominent in the Tampa area. During the year Nathaniel was born, his Father Stephen was nominated for Congress.
The following is quoted from an article published in The Tampa Tribune on June 22nd 1985:
“Man behind the port"
A self-made man who became head of the Rivers and Harbors Committee, Stephen M. Sparkman was the force behind the creation of the port of Tampa.
With Harbour Island focusing attention on Tampa’s waterfront, it seems appropriate to write today about the man who made the city’s port possible. For it had not been for Stephen M. Sparkman, Hillsborough Bay today might still be a shallow backwater inaccessible to larger ships.
Sparkman landed a seat in Congress 90 years ago at a crucial time in the city’s history-- and he soon gained an influential voice on channel-deepening projects as a member of the Rivers and Harbors Committee.
Tampa attained an immense advantage as a booming phosphate port, thanks to this country boy with little formal schooling but an intense passion for learning.
Born in Hernando County in 1849, Sparkman moved East Hillsborough as a youngster. He lived with various relatives after the death of his father, Nathaniel Sparkman.
A story related by his grandson, artist Lamar Sparkman, tells of his plowing fields for an uncle who made sure the work continued by trying a bell to the mule. With no leisure time, but anxious to read the few books he could borrow, young Stephen managed to sound busy. He kept the bell ringing by attaching it to his foot while he found a shady spot and read.
The eager scholar eventually qualified to teach, and reputedly taught in the little schoolhouse preserved on the grounds of the University of Tampa. He also gained a friend who took fatherly interest in encouraging him to study law.
In the office of attorney Henry Laurens Mitchell, Sparkman continued his reading, and he successfully passed his bar examination in October 1872. He hung up his own shingle and practiced law for a while in Polk County.
While he was there he met and married Ellen Hooker, of a pioneer Fort Meade cattle and citrus family.
In 1878, the young lawyer was appointed state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which spread from Cedar Key to Key West. His mentor, Mitchell, had been appointed circuit judge the previous year.”
Nathaniel enlisted to serve the Florida Army National Guard on July 26th 1917… He served as Private First Class in 3rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard; Private 1st Class in the Quartermasters Corps and Private First Class in Company C, Officers Training Camp at Gordon, Georgia until his Honorable Discharge on November 30th 1918.
Mr. Sparkman married his wife Eleanor Josephine Gates on October 9th 1922. The couple had 2 children. Nathaniel supported the family by working in Sales and Advertising.
** Mr. Sparkman was the Uncle of Lieut. Enoch Devane Jr. who was tragically killed as his plane crashed during the night training flight from Marine air base at Santa Barbara, California on July 29th 1943… (We featured the young Lieutenant's story on October 30th 2018).
Nathaniel Keightly Sparkman passed away on June 11th 1971.
The following is quoted from Mr. Sparkman’s Death Notice published in The Tampa Tribune on June 12th 1971:
“NATHANIEL K. SPARKMAN
Nathaniel K. (Nat) Sparkman, 74[sic], 504 Azeele St., died Friday. The son of the late Congressman S. M. Sparkman, he was a lifetime resident and a Methodist. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Gates Sparkman; a daughter, Mrs. Joe L. Reed; three sisters, Mrs. Rollin Jefferson, Mrs. Charles E. Ball and Mrs. E. C. DeVane and a brother, S.M. Sparkman.”
Contributor: Babs (46558901) • [email protected]
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