Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 2. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 506. WALTER W. SPARKS Through thirty-seven years Walter W. Sparks has been a resident of the northwest and is most loyal to the interests of this section of the country, having firm faith in its future. He is now located in Vancouver, where since 1892 he has engaged in the practice of law. He was born at Dubuque, Iowa, December 22, 1853, a son of Edwin and Priscilla (Spurgeon) Sparks, both of whom trace their ancestry back through six generations on American soil. His great-great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary war and his great-grandfather in the war of 1812, while his father was a soldier of the Civil war. The last named joined the United States army in 1861 and after being wounded, returned to his home at Dubuque, Iowa. Later he removed to the northwestern part of that state and it was in that locality that Walter W. Sparks was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public and high schools at Algona, Iowa. When a young man of twenty years, Walter W. Sparks sought the opportunities of the northwest, going first to Clarke County, Washington, where he engaged in teaching school. He afterward taught in different parts of Washington and of Oregon and during the last two years his connection with that profession was principal of the Harney school. Taking up the study of law, he attended the law department of the University of Oregon at Portland in the years of 1890 and 1891, after having previously read for a time in the office of Miller & Stapleton, well known attorneys of Vancouver. He was admitted to the bar in Clarke County in 1891 but during the following year continued to teach. In 1892 he opened an office in Vancouver and has since continued in the practice of the profession. He is well versed in the principles of jurisprudence, prepares his cases with thoroughness and care and the ability with which he presents his cause has won for him many favorable verdicts. Moreover, he is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in this section of the state and labors untiringly for the success of the party. In 1898 he was elected on the republican ticket to the position of prosecuting attorney and was reelected in 1900 and again in 1904, so that his incumbency covered six years, at the end of which time he retired from office as he had entered it—with the confidence and good will of all concerned. In 1908 he was elected to the house of representatives from district twenty-three and has proved an able working member of the lower branch of the state legislature. In 1904 he was elected city clerk of Vancouver for a term of two years and in that as in all other positions which he has filled he has proved most faithful and loyal to the trust reposed in him. On the 6th of June, 1883, Mr. Sparks was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E. Spurgeon, who by her former marriage had two children: Mrs. Martha M. Frisbie; and George H. Spurgeon. There is one son, E. Ray Sparks, of the present marriage. Mr. Sparks is well known in fraternal circles. He holds membership in Mount Hood Lodge, No. 32, A. F. & A. M.; Vancouver Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M.; Vancouver Commandery, No. 10, K. T.; and Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Tacoma. He is likewise connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and is loyal to the teachings of these different organizations, which are based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations that are thereby imposed. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2017 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.