Family Group Sheet
NameIra Sparkman
BirthJul 1861, Letcher Co., Kentucky
Death1930
BurialChristian Cemetery, Rowan Co., Ky
FatherJohn Jesse Sparkman (1826-)
MotherMahala Amburgey (~1840-~1891)
Marriage13 Jul 1888, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseCordelia F. Christian
Birth9 Mar 1871, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death9 Sep 1962, Rowan Co., Kentucky
BurialChristian Cemetery, Rowan Co., Ky
FatherRobert Parish “Robin” Christian (1839-1916)
MotherLeah Short (1845-1917)
Notes for Ira Sparkman
Be careful not to confuse him with Ira M. Sparkman, born 10 Oct 1859 in Letcher Co., son of Uriah Sparkman and Hannah Harriet Halcum.
His gravestone says Ira Sparkman, 1860 - 1930, but I cannot find him in the Kentucky death records.
His gravestone says Ira Sparkman, 1860 - 1930, but I cannot find him in the Kentucky death records.
Notes for Cordelia F. Christian
According to Ruth J. White, her full name was Cordelia Loademia Rodemsia Josephine Christian, but the 1870 census lists her as “Cordelia F.” I don’t know whether there was a fifth given name (since her twin Horace had six, it isn’t out of the question), or the F is in error, or if it stands for “Finey”, which is sometimes a nickname for Josephine.
Her gravestone has the dates 1872 - 1962, but Ruth White’s records (with birthdates from a family bible) has her date of birth as 9 Mar 1871, and the Kentucky Death index lists Cordelia Sparkman, age 91, died 9 Sep 1962 in Rowan Co., residence same, certificate Vol. 48, #23956. Since the age at death from the certificate is consistent with the birthdate given by Ruth White, I am keeping it in preference to the date on the gravestone.
Her gravestone has the dates 1872 - 1962, but Ruth White’s records (with birthdates from a family bible) has her date of birth as 9 Mar 1871, and the Kentucky Death index lists Cordelia Sparkman, age 91, died 9 Sep 1962 in Rowan Co., residence same, certificate Vol. 48, #23956. Since the age at death from the certificate is consistent with the birthdate given by Ruth White, I am keeping it in preference to the date on the gravestone.
Notes for Ira & Cordelia F. (Family)
Rowan Co. marriage bond/license book #1, p. 178, contains license dated 12 Jul 1888 for Ira Sparkman to marry Cordelia Christian, bond surety by William Hardy, with consent note from R. P. Christian for “Mr. Sparkman to marry my girl.” The minister’s return in register book A, p. 26, records the marriage as having taken place on 13 July 1889, between Ira Sparkman and Ardelia Christian. I doubt very much that there was a year and a day between the bond and the marriage, so one of the dates must be off by a year.
Census
1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, enumerated 5 June, lists on p. 3B as family #59:
Sparkman, Ira, 38, b. July 1861, farmer; Dela, wife, 28, b. Mar 1871; Robert, son, 9, b. Apr 1891; Dovey, dau, 7, b. Nov 1892; Bertha, dau, 2, b. 1897; Eugene, son, 0/12, b. May 1900. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1910 census of Rowan Co., Ky, enumerated 14 May, lists on p. 19B as family #333/335:
Sparkman, Ira, 50, second marriage, farmer; Delia, wife, 38, first marriage, married 20 years, mother of 8 children, 7 living; Robert, son, 20; Dovie, dau, 18; Bertha, dau, 12; George, son, 9; Earnie, son, 7; Nora, dau, 5; May, dau, 2. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1920 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Hogtown precinct, enumerated 14 Jan, lists on p. 5B as family #95/99:
Sparkman, Ira, 60, farmer; Dealie, wife, 50; George, son, 19; Earnest, son, 18; Nora, dau, 14; May, dau, 12; Reba, dau, 8; Elma, dau, 5. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Haldeman precinct, enumerated 15 April, lists on p. 2B as family #25:
Sparkman, Ira, 69, age at first marriage 27; Dealie, wife, 58, age at first marriage 16; Earnist, son, 26; Reba, dau, 19; Alma, dau, 15. All born Ky Ky Ky.
Sparkman, Ira, 38, b. July 1861, farmer; Dela, wife, 28, b. Mar 1871; Robert, son, 9, b. Apr 1891; Dovey, dau, 7, b. Nov 1892; Bertha, dau, 2, b. 1897; Eugene, son, 0/12, b. May 1900. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1910 census of Rowan Co., Ky, enumerated 14 May, lists on p. 19B as family #333/335:
Sparkman, Ira, 50, second marriage, farmer; Delia, wife, 38, first marriage, married 20 years, mother of 8 children, 7 living; Robert, son, 20; Dovie, dau, 18; Bertha, dau, 12; George, son, 9; Earnie, son, 7; Nora, dau, 5; May, dau, 2. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1920 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Hogtown precinct, enumerated 14 Jan, lists on p. 5B as family #95/99:
Sparkman, Ira, 60, farmer; Dealie, wife, 50; George, son, 19; Earnest, son, 18; Nora, dau, 14; May, dau, 12; Reba, dau, 8; Elma, dau, 5. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Haldeman precinct, enumerated 15 April, lists on p. 2B as family #25:
Sparkman, Ira, 69, age at first marriage 27; Dealie, wife, 58, age at first marriage 16; Earnist, son, 26; Reba, dau, 19; Alma, dau, 15. All born Ky Ky Ky.
