GEORGE SPARKS, M. D., actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Sweetwater and throughout the surrounding districts, with a thorough understanding of the profession that makes him one of its leading representatives in this part of the state, is a grandson of William Crane Sparks, who was born in Virginia, and when a young man emigrated to Texas, settling in Nacogdoches at an early period in the development of that place. He took quite an active interest in politics, was a warm friend of Samuel Houston and fought with the army of Texas in its encounter with the troops of Mexico. He was afterward engaged in stock-raising and up to the time of his death was identified with this industry, which has been the chief source of revenue to the state. In 1847 he removed to Bell county, settling about twelve miles from Belton in a community which became known as the Sparks Valley settlement, and there he died about 1853. He was twice married and reared several children.
On his sons of the second marriage was Samuel A. Sparks, who was born in Robertson county, Texas, in 1845, during a brief residence of the family in that locality prior to the removal to Bell county. He was reared, however, upon a ranch in the latter county and in early life became engaged in the stock business, which he followed until 1884. In that year he was elected sheriff of the county and held the office up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897, proving a most capable official, discharging the duties of the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In all of his business affairs and official duties he was honored for his reliability and trustworthiness and he won the unqualified regard of his fellowmen. In July, 1865, Samuel Sparks was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fisher, a native Texan and a daughter of King Fisher, who was active in the warfare against the Indians in Texas at an early day. Mrs. Sparks is still living in Belton and by her marriage she became the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living with the exception of one.
Dr. George Sparks, whose name introduces this review, was born upon the old homestead in Bell county, Texas, where he also spent his boyhood days. He early learned to ride a horse and care for the cattle on his father’s ranch. He attended the country schools of the neighborhood and afterward continued his studies in Belton until sixteen or seventeen years of age, subsequent to which time he became a student in Centenary College at Lampasas, Texas, where he remained for three years. Having determined upon a professional career, in 1891, he entered the medical department of the University of Texas at Galveston and after a thorough course was graduated from that institution in the class of 1894. He served for one year as house physician in the John Sealy Hospital at Galveston and has been in the active practice of his profession at Belton and Sweetwater up to the present time, having located in the latter city in February, 1899. Here his ability soon won ready recognition in a liberal patronage as he demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems that continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and alleviate suffering.
Dr. Sparks was married first in 1896 to Miss Bernice Brooker of Rogers, Bell county, Texas, but she lived for only about a year after their marriage and in 1901 he wedded his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Maude Whitaker. Dr. Sparks and his occupy a very enviable position in social circles here and their own home is noted for its generous and attractive hospitality. The doctor is a member of the Masonic lodge in Sweetwater and in the line of his profession is connected with the Nolan County Medical Society, the West Texas and Pacific District Medical Society and the Texas State Medical Association. While a young man, he has already won prominence as a leading physician of Sweetwater, and among his patrons are numbered some of the best families in this section of the state. He is an earnest and discriminating student and keeps in touch with modern research in the medical world.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 390-391.