SPRAGUE, Perry - b. October 8, 1846 - d. March 31,1936

[Marcia Moore]

     Perry Sprague was born Oct. 8, 1846 at Bentonville, Arkansas and departed this life at 10:15 p.m. on March 31, 1936 at his home in Busby at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 23 days.
     Coming to Kansas at an early age, he settled near Baldwin, where he entered the Union service on June 24, 1863, at Prairie City, Kansas, in the Kansas State Militia, 21st Regiment, Company K Kansas Calvary, and was later transferred to the national army where he served until relieved from duty on Oct. 28, 1864.
     On May 14, 1874 he was united in marriage with Flora A. Carpenter at Ottawa, Kansas.  To this union was born five children: Warren Sprague of Busby, Jessie McDonald of Fall River, Josie Davis, who preced him in death on July 29, 1927, Eunice Dame of Longton, and Winifred VanBuskirk of Busby.
     In June 1885 he came to Elk County and located at Busby where he resided until his death.
     He was a man of quiet and unpretentious disposition, but in earlier life took a lively interest in the affairs of the community, at all times standing for justice and righteousness, and his life was one of religious practice in his dealings with his family and fellow man, and he was a kind and loving father and devoted to his family.
     He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, four children and seven grandchildren, besides a host of friends.
     Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Longton on Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Alvin Rowe of the Federated Church, and burial was in the Longton Cemetery.  A number of Legion members attended the services.
     Perry Sprague had lived at Busby for 51 years, was postmaster, and had a store there for many years.  Until recent years he was a leader in his community.  His creed was that of simple kindness, especially to the unfortunate or the helpless.  One of his neighbors of long standing said of Mr. Sprague that to her he exemplified the scripture of James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and man is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."