Oral A Sparks, an only son of John G. and Martha (Hughes) Sparks, was born March 6, 1888, on the family homestead near Clio. Most of his life was spent farming on the same location. He did live in Des Moines and Council Bluffs a few years but returned to the home place.
Oral graduated in 1907 from the Allerton high school and then attended a trade school in Kansas City. He later studied business affairs in Des Moines. Oral was a member of the Baptist Church when young, but later he and his wife were associated with the Clio Methodist Church.
Oral married Alice Evelyn Mace, the daughter of Albert and Minnie Mace, on June 7, 1911. Alice was born on a farm south of Allerton on March 18, 1889. She was the youngest of a family of nine children. Alice grew up in Allerton and after graduating from high school she taught country school in the Allerton area for four years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were blessed with three children, Mrs. Russell E. (Melva) Bidlack, Gerald and Harold.
Oral was very interest in his collection of antiques and had them on his property which he called the Hillcrest Museum. He was also interested in preserving a written history of Clio, and he wrote some very accurate articles about its business, churches, post offices, railroad, etc.
by Jean Jackson
Oral A Sparks, an only son of John G. and Martha (Hughes) Sparks, was born March 6, 1888, on the family homestead near Clio. Most of his life was spent farming on the same location. He did live in Des Moines and Council Bluffs a few years but returned to the home place.
Oral graduated in 1907 from the Allerton high school and then attended a trade school in Kansas City. He later studied business affairs in Des Moines. Oral was a member of the Baptist Church when young, but later he and his wife were associated with the Clio Methodist Church.
Oral married Alice Evelyn Mace, the daughter of Albert and Minnie Mace, on June 7, 1911. Alice was born on a farm south of Allerton on March 18, 1889. She was the youngest of a family of nine children. Alice grew up in Allerton and after graduating from high school she taught country school in the Allerton area for four years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were blessed with three children, Mrs. Russell E. (Melva) Bidlack, Gerald and Harold.
Oral was very interest in his collection of antiques and had them on his property which he called the Hillcrest Museum. He was also interested in preserving a written history of Clio, and he wrote some very accurate articles about its business, churches, post offices, railroad, etc.
by Jean Jackson
Family Members
-
![]()
James Erasmus Mace
1868–1938
-
![]()
Clara Juliette "Julia" Mace Williams
1870–1936
-
![]()
Richard Alonzo Mace
1872–1946
-
![]()
Nancy Lavilla Mace Mericle
1874–1930
-
![]()
Sarah Louisa Mace McCreary
1876–1908
-
![]()
Millard Lee Mace
1879–1936
-
Alberta Mace Caldwell
1883–1969
-
![]()
Florence Alma Mace Lane
1886–1963
-
![]()
Infant Daughter Mace
1892–1892
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
