FRANK W. SPRAGUE

Frank W. Sprague, a lumber dealer of Grand Haven, well deserves representation in this volume, for he is a leading business man of the city and has been prominent in all public affairs that tend to promote the growth and upbuilding of the community. His life record is as follows: A native of the Empire State, he was born in Jefferson County on the 2d of April, 1838. He comes of an old family of New York, but Spragues were originally from Wales and settled in New England during colonial days. The grandfather of our subject, Horatio Sprague, spent his entire life in the Empire State. The father, Lonson G. Sprague, was there born, and having arrived at mature years he wedded Mary Warner. Her death occurred in 1863, and he departed this life in Jefferson County in 1875, at an advanced age.

The gentleman whose name heads this record is eldest in a family of ten children. He was reared to habits of industry and usefulness, and as a result became a self-reliant and enterprising man. His own education being completed, he engaged in educating others, being a school teacher for some time. He had come to the West when only fifteen years of age, and still a youth shipped before the mast on the vessel "M. L. Collins," which sailed from Cleveland, Ohio. He was on the Great Lakes for sixteen years, and by meritorious conduct won promotion and advanced step by step until he became captain of a vessel. During the winter season, when it was impossible to sail on the lakes, he would go to New York and sail on the Atlantic, until the arrival of another spring would make navigation on the lakes again possible, when he would return. He continued sailing on the inland seas until 1872.

In 1860, Mr. Sprague was married was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Wilder, of Oswego County, N. Y. who after eighteen years of married life died leaving two children, daughters, Frances M. and Berdella. In 1881, Mr. Sprague was again married, his second union being with Miss Marietta, of Grand Haven. They have a pleasant home at the corner of Third and Columbus Streets, and its hospitable doors are ever open for the reception of their many friends.

When Mr. Sprague left the Lakes he began ship-carpentering and later engaged in the millwright business. In 1874, he began handling and inspecting lumber. He is a splendid judge of both hard and soft woods and can therefore buy lumber to good advantage. He is now conducting a thriving a lumber trade on his own account, which yields him an excellent income. His success is largely due to his enterprise and industry and able management, as well as his knowledge of qualities of lumber. In politics, Mr. Sprague is independent. Socially, he is connected with the Highland Tent No. 203, K.O.T.M., and is a member of Ottawa Lodge No. 46, I.O.O.F. He as a pleasant, genial gentleman, whose cordial and gentlemanly manner has made him very popular and won him a host of friends, not only in the community, but wherever business or social interests have taken him.