John J. Sparkman, a representative and leading farmer of the First district of Van Buren county, was born December 7, 1857, on the farm where he still continues to reside. His parents, Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Hunter) Sparkman, were also natives of Van Buren county, the former born November 2, 1838, the latter May 8, 1840. The paternal grandparents, John and Lavina (McElroy) Sparkman, were natives of North Carolina and Van Buren county, respectively. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and served as constable in his district for two years. During the Civil war he entered the Confederate service, was captured near St. Louis, Mo., and was taken to a hospital in that city, where it is supposed that he died. His widow made her hoe with our subject until she, too, was called to her final rest in February, 1894.
Upon the home farm John J. Sparkman grew to manhood, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood, where he obtained a good practical education. For many years he devoted his attention exclusively to his agricultural interests, but for the past ten years has also engaged in merchandising at Bone Cave and has built up a lucrative trade. He also served as postmaster at that place for about twenty years, but was removed a few months since on account of his advocacy of the free coinage of silver. He has been district constable for six years, and also served as deputy sheriff for two years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the general public. In connection with general farming he has been interested in stock raising, making a specialty of fine hogs and poultry, and has been instrumental in improving the grade of the same in Van Buren county.
On the 9th of June, 1881, Mr. Sparkman married Miss Rebecca A. Moore, who was born in Van Buren county, May 12, 1852, and they have become the parents of three children: Andrew J., born April 11, 1882, died April 22, 1888; Mary E., born June 30, 1884, and Emma T., born November 24, 1886, are both attending school. The parents and older daughter are members of the Missionary Baptist church, and the family is one of prominence in social circles.
Memorial and Biographical Record, an Illustrated Compendium of Biography. Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1898, p. 326.