Robert L. Sparks was born on March 18, 1876, near where Peabody No. 3 mine once stood, about one mile northwest of Marion. He lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Sparks, until he was sixteen years old, but began work for himself at the age of 14. He secured the rudiments of an education in Marion common schools, but at 17 years of age he dropped his books and took up the saw and hammer.

Showing a natural aptitude for the business, he successfully pursued it for many years. Among the jobs he has carried through may be mentioned the Felts & Baker brick building, near the northwest corner of the public square, the telephone building at 201 N. Van Buren, Charles W. Schwerdt’s fine residence at 702 S. Market Street, remodeling the A. F. White, building on the south side of the public square, the Marion Opera House at 400 N. Market Street and his parent’s home at 909 W. Main Street among many.

He was a member of Ben Hur and the Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Vice President of the Baptist Young Peoples Union. He also served as Treasurer for the Williamson County Contractors Association.

Robert married Elsie Burnett on June 24, 1906 and they had their first child Mary Lucille Sparks in November 1908.

In 1910 Robert and Elsie were living with their 1 ½ year old daughter Mary Lucille at 1001 S. Duncan Street. He was still actively pursuing his career as a carpenter. They have Elsie’s widowed, 70 year old mother Elizabeth Burnett living with them.

By 1920, Robert had scaled back on carpentry and started pursuing farming. The census of this year finds them on a farm just west of Marion on what was then called Mission Ridge Road. The couple’s children include Mary Lucille Sparks, 11, Lloyd Burnett Sparks, 9, Maurice S. Sparks, 6 and Francis Elizabeth Sparks aged 3. Still living with them are Elsie’s widowed, 80 year old mother Elizabeth Burnett and now his 80 year old father Francis M. Sparks. His step mother Mary and step brother Harry are still occupying the family home on West Main Street.

In the 1930 census, Robert has added two more children, Ina E. Sparks aged 9 and Betty R. Sparks aged 3.

The 1940 census finds that even at 64 Robert is still periodically turning to carpentry as a trade, but now in a paid worker capacity. He owns his farm home just outside Marion and values it at $7,000. His son Maurice is now 26 and is working as a waged farmer. Daughter Ina is 19 and working as a secretary while youngest daughter Betty R. Sparks is 12 and attending school.

Robert’s farm appears to have consisted of 67 acres located next to the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks west of town, where the road now called Westminster Road (then Mission Ridge Road) turns to the south. In those days, the road could have been accessed by a road that once turned south off of old Route 13 (West Main) and intercepted Mission Ridge (now Westminster). When the VA hospital was developed, this road going south turned into Commander Drive approaching the VA and no longer went through. The Sparks property was very close to the old Mission Ridge School that used to sit back in that area but also had to be moved due to the VA construction and Interstate 57. The school house was moved around 1940 to the school bus depot on N. Fifth Street and was used for decades as a maintenance building before it was demolished.

Robert L. Sparks died in Marion on December 29, 1961 and was buried on December 31, 1961. His wife Elsie passed away on April 24, 1965 and was buried on the 27^th.  Both are interred at Rose Hill Cemetery. Robert’s skills as a turn of the century carpenter can fortunately still be seen in the home sitting at 702 S. Market St.

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(Data taken from Federal Census Record; 1905 Souvenir History, WCHS; Marion City Directories; Marion City Cemetery Records; Williamson County Plat Maps; Google Maps; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 03/14/2013)