Ovid Garten Sparks

Ovid Garten Sparks

• Ovid Garten Sparks was born in December 1813 in Georgia.
• He married Josephine V. Breazeal, daughter of Willis S. Breazeal and Harriet A. Jones, on 3 May 1854 in Bibb County, Georgia.
• Ovid Garten Sparks and Josephine V. Breazeal appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Willis Breazeal Sparks, Sarah Hardeman Sparks and Harriet J. Sparks.
• He was operating a warehouse on a commission basis, according to the 1860 census.
• Ovid Garten Sparks and Josephine V. Breazeal appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Willis Breazeal Sparks, Sarah Hardeman Sparks, Harriet J. Sparks, Ovid Garten Sparks Jr. and Mittie Sparks.
• He was a commission merchant, according to the 1870 census.
• Ovid Garten Sparks and Josephine V. Breazeal appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, at 86 Washington Avenue. Other members of the household included Willis Breazeal Sparks, Sarah Hardeman Sparks, Harriet J. Sparks, Ovid Garten Sparks Jr. and Robert Love Sparks.
• He was a cotton factor, according to the 1880 census.
• Ovid Garten Sparks and Josephine V. Breazeal appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, at 442 Washington Avenue. Other members of the household included Harriet J. Sparks, Ovid Garten Sparks Jr. and Robert Love Sparks.
• His wife Josephine V. Breazeal became a widow at his death.
• Ovid Garten Sparks died on 30 October 1900 at age 86.
• The following appeared on 31 October 1900 in The Macon Telegraph: Mr. O. G. Sparks, Sr., died at his home on Washington avenue and Monroe streets yesterday afternoon. He had been in beeble health for some time, and as was announced in The Telegraph a few days ago, he has recently been growing more and more feeble, and it was known that the end could not be far away. He died as he had lived, with courage and patience.
       The funeral will occur from the residence this afternoon at 2:30.
       Mr. Sparks was in his 88th year. He had spent the greater part of his life in Macon, and it is said that no more popular man ever resided here. On December 16, 1857, he was sworn in as Macon's mayor, and he held this office until Septembe 11, 1860, when he resigned on account of ill health and pressure of business. He retired from active business twenty years later, being succeeded by his sons, Messrs. Willis B. and Ovid G., Jr. For the past twenty years he and his good wife have lived quietly at the home where his death occurred. He leaves three sons, Messrs. Willis, Ovid and Robert, and two daughters, Mrs. Ashley Vickers of Eastman and Miss Hattie Sparks, who resided with him.
       For years the warehouse of Hardeman & Sparks, the firm being composed of Col. Thomas Hardeman, Sr., and Mr. Sparks, did the largest business of any similar establishment in middle Georgia. The book-keeper for twenty years was the lamented state treasurer, Robert U. Hardeman, who was succeeded by Mr. Ab Gibson, and in turn Mr. Gibson was succeeded by Mr. Harry Stillwell Edwards. After the death of Col. Thomas Hardeman, Sr., the father of Judge John L. Hardeman, who was also named Tom Hardeman, became a partner.
       After all other business had been transacted by the city council last night, the following resolution was passed relative to the death of the city's former mayor. [text of resolution]

• Last Edited: 30 Apr 2011

• Charts: Descendants of WOOD William & Lydia Ballentine