Biography of Thomas H. Sprott, pages 571/572/573.  History 
of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Earnest labor, unabating perseverance good management and a 
laudable ambition to succeed, these are the elements that  
have brought Thomas H. Sprott prosperity and won for him 
the good will and respect of all with whom he has come in 
contract. A native of Auburn, DeKalb county, where he first 
saw the light of day on September 4, 1850, he has spent his 
entire life in his native locality and is there fore well 
known here. His parents were Samuel and Sarah J. (Hays) 
Sprott. Samuel W. Sprott was born in Darlington, Beaver 
county Pennsylvania, and was a son of Thomas and Mary 
Sprott, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel W. Sprott 
came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in March, 1836, walking the 
entire distance by way of Defiance, Ohio. He was 
immediately successful in whatever  he turned his hand to 
here and, his abilities and character becoming recognized 
by his fellow citizens, in 1841 he became county clerk, 
county auditor and county  recorder. He held the office of 
auditor for one year and the other two offices 
simultaneously for ten years. In 1855 he was again elected 
to the office of county clerk, serving four years. He was a 
man of high character and strictest integrity and during 
all the period  of his residence here he enjoyed to a 
notable extent the absolute confidence and esteem of the 
people with whom he mingled. Some time after locating in 
Auburn he married Harriet Miller, who died shortly 
afterwards, and subsequently, at Savannah, Ohio, he was 
united in marriage to Sarah J, Hays, daughter of Thomas and 
Mary Hays. She was born at Haysville, Ohio, of which town 
her grandfather was the founder. Mr. Sprott continued to 
reside at Auburn, looking after his property interest and 
also engaging to some extent in agriculture. From 1872 to 
1875 he engaged in the shoe business and was postmaster of 
Auburn in the year 1867. He died on December 14, 1882, his 
wife having died August 19th of the previous year. They left 
two children, Mary W., who became the wife of Dr. W. H. 
Nusbaum, of Indianapolis, and Thomas H., the immediate 
subject of this sketch.  Thomas H. Sprott was reared to 
manhood in Auburn, and during his younger days was engaged 
in surveying to some extent. In 1872 he engaged in the shoe 
business in partnership with his father and remained so 
occupied until 1875, when he went into the real estate and 
insurance business. In this line he has continued ever 
since, being the oldest now in Auburn who have continuously 
engaged in that business in this county. Possessing marked 
business ability and energetic as a hustler after business, 
it is no wonder that Mr. Sprott has through the years 
enjoyed the largest patronage in his line in the county, 
and where ever he has gone he has made friends, which has 
meant increase in business. Mr. Sprott married Abagail J. 
Potter, of Auburn, the daughter of James A. and Catherine 
(Sponsler) Potter, these parents having come to this county 
from Ashland county, Ohio. The father was a native of the 
state of New Jersey, but was reared to manhood at 
Jeromeville, Ohio. The Potters came first to Adrian, 
Michigan, where they lived a year and then about the close 
of the Civil war they came to Auburn, where Mr. Potter 
engaged in the shoe trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Sprott have been 
born four children: Jarl S., Pearl M., Donald P. and Kirby 
L.  Jarl S., who was born in 1882, married Carrie Larsen 
and lives in Chicago, where he is city salesman for the 
General Fire Proofing Company; he has a daughter, Helen M.; 
Pearl M., who is assistant cashier in the Auburn State 
Bank, lives in Auburn. Donald P., born on November 11, 
1886, married Hazel M. Ensley, is agent for the 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and lives in Auburn; he 
has three children, Thomas R., Donald E. and Marie Alice; 
Kirby L., born July 7, 1891, is employed as agent with the 
United States Express Company in Auburn.  Politically, Mr. 
Sprott is an Independent Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs 
to DeKalb Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, and to 
Auburn Camp No. 51, Knights of Maccabees. In May, 1902, Mr. 
Sprott was elected mayor of Auburn, assuming the duties of 
this office on September 1st of that year, and his 
administration was of such a character as to win for him 
the unqualified commendations of his fellow citizens. Mrs. 
Sprott, who moves in the best circles of the city, has for 
a number of years been a prominent member of the Ladies' 
Literary Society and is otherwise active in many good 
works, Mr. and Mrs. Sprott both enjoy a well deserved 
popularity in the city of their residence and are numbered 
among its best citizens.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com