William A. J. Sparks

Who was William A. J. Sparks?

William Andrew Jackson Sparks was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Born near New Albany, Indiana, Sparks moved with his parents to Illinois in 1836. He attended the public schools. He taught school for a time. He then graduated from McKendree College in 1850. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1851 and commenced practice in Carlyle, Illinois. United States land receiver for the Edwardsville land office 1853-1856. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1856 and 1857. He served in the State senate in 1863 and 1864. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1868.

Sparks was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and to the three succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Interior, Committee on Military Affairs. He did not seek renomination in 1882. He resumed the practice of law. He was appointed by President Cleveland as Commissioner of the United States General Land Office and served from March 26, 1885, to March 26, 1888. He resumed the practice of law at Carlyle and Springfield, Illinois. He died in St. Louis, Missouri, May 7, 1904. He was interred in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Carlyle, Illinois.