Reed and Julia Spracklin’s Children…

Julia and Reed Spracklin had nine children, two of their children died young: Jimmy and Willie. Seven of their children were born in Iowa and the last two where born in Montana. Forest was born in March of 1917 so this tells you about when they made the final move to Montana from Iowa.

Reed and Julia Spracklin and family.

1.  James Franklin Spracklin was born 24 September, 1898 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died on 4 October, 1899 in Cedar Twp. Calhoun Co., Iowa. James or rather Jimmy is buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Iowa. There is a picture of his tombstone at Find A Grave. The tombstone has the day of birth the 26th of September and the death April 10, 1899.  It does state that his parents are R.A. and J.A. Spracklin.

Source:  Calhoun County, Iowa Cemeteries pg. 3, 19, Cedar Twp. Cemetery, Published by the Iowa Genealogical Society, Des Moines, Iowa Spracklin, Son of R.A. & J.A. Died April 10, 1899 6 mo. 16 day. Willie son of R. & J. 1901-1902

2. Amos Earl Spracklin was born 28 August, 1899 in Greenfield Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa and died on 12 December, 1983 in Jordan, Garfield County, Montana. Amos would marry Iva Myrtle Heiss (1906-1969) and have seven children – all girls.  Both Amos and Iva are buried in the Miles City Cemetery, in Montana.  There will be more about this couple in the next post.

3. William Laurence Spracklin was born 7 May, 1901 and died 18 March, 1902 in Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa. Willie is also buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery near Rinard, Calhoun Co., Iowa.  Find A Grave has a picture of his tombstone.

4. Oliver Martin Spracklin was born 9 February, 1903 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 18 July, 1934 at Ft. Peck Dam in Montana.  According to his father’s obit he was killed at Fort Peck but I cannot find any obituary for Oliver to tell me what happened.  UPDATE: 4/22/2016 A reader was kind to share with me the following obituary for Oliver:

The Jordan Tribune, 26 July 1934, page 1

Oliver Spracklin, age 31, met a horrible death at 2 o’clock last Saturday afternoon, a short time after he had started on a new job at Fort Peck Dam. While attending to his duties as oiler of a long conveyor belt connected with one of the tunnels his hand or clothing was caught in the coupling and his body dragged about 50 feet on the belt until it became wedged under a roller. No one else was present when the accident happened, and until the body became clogged in such a manner as to stop the machinery, workers in the vicinity were not aware of what had happened. Harley Spracklin, a brother of the deceased, happened to be in the vicinity of the dam shortly after the accident, but exact details could not immediately be ascertained. In fact, Harley had started on his return to Jordan and did not know that it was his brother who was the accident victim until he reached Haxby. The body was then being brought to Jordan. The supposition is that Oliver’s hand or the bib overalls he wore at the time caught on one of the belt hooks which dragged him across the 32-inch belt and to his death. Funeral services attended by a large number of people were held at the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. W. W. Landis officiating.

Oliver Spracklin was born in Calhoun Co., Iowa, Feb. 9, 1903. In 1914 he came to Garfield County where he has since resided. He is survived by his wife and one son, Chester, his father and mother and five brothers and one sister.

The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved wife and relatives.

He married Edna Louise Hollenbeck on 14 March, 1930 in Butte Creek, Garfield County, Montana.  However, the marriage license reads Williams for her last name.

Source:  Marriage Record, State of Montana, County of Garfield, Oliver Spracklin, white, age 27, born Calhoun Co., Summers, Iowa, father Reed A. Spracklin, mother Julia Ann Siler, white. Edna Williams, white, residence Butte Creek, Mont. father William Williams and mother Carrie Boughton, Oliver Spracklin 14 March 1930, Guy L. Scott, clerk, H.L. Davis Deputy. She was 19 years, born at Miles City in Custer Co., Montana. Married 14, March 1939, Oliver Spracklin to Edna Williams, witnesses were Mrs. Carrier Williams and A. E. Spracklin. Chas, C. Kite, JP.

They had 1 child together named Chester.

In 1930 Oliver and Edna were living in School District 51, Garfield, Montana.

Source:  Oliver M. Spracklin Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, School District 51, Garfield Co., Montana, ED# 17-48, SD#7, Sht#1-B, enumerated 16 April 1930, by Vern Parish. 

Line 98, 24, 25, Spracklin Oliver M, Head, O, $1000, yes, M, W, 27, M, 27, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother born Iowa, yes, farmer, farm, yes, no, 25. 

Spracklin, Edna L, wife, F, W, 18, m, 18, yes, yes, born Montana, father born Nebraska, mother born Montana, yes, none. 

Oliver’s gravestone in Jordan, Pioneer Cemetery

Edna remarried to a Clifford Godfred Hawkinson on 4 January, 1936 in Jordan. He died 25 July 1945 and she may have married a John Adams, Jr. Something happened and she married again to Jerome Henry Saylor on 10 March, 1950 in Hardin, Big Horn Co., Montana.

In 1940 Edna was living with Clifford and Chester and more children in Minnesota.

Source: Clifford G. Hawkinson, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Harris Village, Chisago, Minnesota, SD#3, ED#13-9, Sht#6A, enumerated on 15 April 1940 by Robert G. Smith. 

Line 8, 115, R, 5, No, Hawkinson, Clifford, M, W, 38, M, No 8, born Minnesota, R, Garfield, Montana, yes, no, no, yes, 26, laborer, farm, PW, 32, 240, No, 66. 

Hawkinson, Edna, Wife, F, W, 28, M, no, 8, born Montana, R, Garfield, Montana, no, no, no, H, o, o, no. 

Hawkinson, Caroline, daughter, F, W, 4, S, no, o, born Montana

Hawkinson, Arthur, Son, M, W, 2, S, no, o, born Wisconsin, 

Hawkinson, Dorothy, daughter, M, W, 3/12, S, no, o, born Montana

Spracklin, Chester, step-son, M, W, 9, S, no, o, born Montana, Garfield, Montana

Edna’s parents have been given as Virgil A. Hollenbeck and Carrie Ellen Broughton yet the marriage record above says William Williams and Carrie Boughton as well as her obit below. Apparently a bit more research is needed regarding the life of Edna and clarifying some of the events.

Edna was born 7 July, 1911 in Jordan, Dawson Co. (Garfield), Montana and died 1 December, 1960 in Jordan. She is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana. Find A Grave has a picture of her tombstone.

Death and Services – Mrs. Jerome Saylor
Mrs. Jerome (Edna) Saylor, 40 of Brusett died at a Miles City hospital Thursday morning. She had been admitted on Nov. 14. Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Presbyterian church in Jordan with burial in the Pioneer Cemetery the Rev. Archie McPhall will officiate. Graves Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Saylor was born at Jordan and had spent all of her life in the Jordan and Brusett communities. She attended Snow Creek Schools and was married to Jerome Saylor in 1950. Mrs. Saylor was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband; her parents, William and Carrie Williams; the following sons and daughters; Chester Spracklin of Garden Valley, Idaho, Frances Hawkinson of Jordan, Arthur F. Hawkinson of St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. Charles (Caroline) Schweers of San Antonio, Texas, and Mrs. Harlan (Dorothy) Krinkle, Minneapolis; and five grandchildren. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Joe and James Williams of Jordan; John Williams of Tacoma, WA.; Mrs. Morris. Source: Miles City Daily Star, Friday, Dec. 2, 1960 pg 2.

Obituary – Hawkinson Rites to held Saturday at 2 pm at Jordan, Announced. Funeral services for the late Clifford G. Hawkinson of the Jordan community will be held on Saturday tomorrow afternoon from the Presbyterian church at Jordan, commencing at 2p.m. The Rev. William G. Johnson, minister of the congregation will officiate at the final rites and have charge of the committal services in the Jordan Cemetery where burial will be made. The late Mr. Hawkinson met death by drowning on Wednesday in Snow Creek, an arm of Fort Peck Lake.  Source: Miles City Daily Star July 25, 1945, pg. 8.

5. Harley Grover Spracklin was born 12 February, 1906 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa. He died 2 July, 1964 in Garfield Co., Montana.  He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan.

Harley’s tombstone in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, MT.

He married Elizabeth Susanna Heiss on 16 February, 1925 and they had six children.

Elizabeth was a sister to Iva, wife of brother Amos. Elizabeth was born 26 September, 1908 in Bismarck, Burleigh, North Dakota and died in 2001. Elizabeth is buried in the Maplewood Cemetery in Stevensville, Ravelli, Montana. Find A Grave as a picture of her tombstone.

Source: Harley Grover Spracklin Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, School Dist. No. 1, Garfield, Montana, ED#17-1, SD#7, Sht#7-B, enumerated 30 April, 1930 by Thomas L, Harvey.

Line 51, 172, 172, Spracklin, Harley, Head, R, 12, No, M, W, 24, M, 19, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother born Nebraska, Tractor service man, retail farm [mchy], employed yes, vet no

Spracklin, Elizabeth, wife-H, F, W, 21, M, 16, no, yes, born North Dakota, father born PA, mother born Minnesota

Spracklin William, son, M, W, 3 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Robert, son, 1 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Ruth, daughter, 2/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Rose, daughter, 2/12, S, no born Montana

Note:  Harley and Elizabeth may have two more children: Donald D. and Ronald K.

Harley had an unfortunate end to his life.  He was killed in an auto accident.

Harley Grover Spracklin killed in auto accident.

A transcript of the article above:  Accident: Jordan Man 114th Highway Fatality:
A one-car roll-over five miles north of Cohagan about mid-day Thursday took the life of Jordan mechanic and house mover Harley Grover Spracklin 58. Spracklin was traveling about 60 MPH according to investigating patrolman E.H. Metzenburg when his vehicle went off the east side of the road and traveled for about 350 feet. The car went back on the roadway, traveled for another 120 feet and went into the west barrow pit and rolled another 130 feet. Spracklin who apparently was killed instantly, was thrown from the vehicle, which rolled over him, about half-way through the last roll. The car was traveling toward the Garfield County seat and was on a straight and level stretch of road when the mishap occurred. — Photo by Mitzenberg. (Miles City Star Friday-Sunday, July 3-5, 1964. There is also a picture of the destroyed car on its head.)

Spracklin Killed in car mishap – Miles City Star
Harley Grover Spracklin, 58 of Jordan was killed Thursday afternoon in a one-car accident (shown above) five miles north of Cohagan on Highway 22. According to the Montana Highway Patrolman Ernie Metzenberg, the car was heading toward Jordan when it went off…..same as above article….Mr. Spracklin was born in Calhoun County, Iowa, Feb. 12, 1906 and moved to the Jordan area with his parents in 1914. He attended schools in Garfield County and was married Feb. 16, 1925 in Miles City to Elizabeth Heiss. He was engaged in construction and mechanical work. Surviving are his widow, Elizabeth; four sons, William of Glendive, Robert and Donald of Montclair, Calif., and Keith, who is serving with the U.S. Navy; twin daughter Mrs. Ruth Slabbekorn, Montclair, Calif. and Mrs. Rose Gehlen, Anchorage, Alaska; four brothers, Leroy and Amos of Jordan, Clifford of Forsyth and Forrest of Washington State; one sister Mrs. Clara Derenberger of Cohagen, and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in the Presbyterian Church in Jordan, the time to be announced after relatives are contacted. Graves Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

From the Miles City Star Tuesday, July 7, 1964, Buried 6 July 1964
Harley G. Spracklin – Funeral services for Harley Grover Spracklin of Jordan where held Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian Church in Jordan with the Rev. John B. Fitz of Miles City officiating. Verna Schmidt and Tudy Newland san duets with Mrs. Laura Patterson as organist. Mr. Spracklin was killed Thursday afternoon in a one-car accident five miles north of Cohagen. Surviving are his widow, Elizabeth; four sons….Glendive….etc. same as above article. Active pallbearers were Pete Ritter, Phil Fellman, Fred Hinther, Marvin Haliberg, Floyd Osborn, and Thomas Graham. Honorary pallbearers were Jack lee and Ray Schillreff. Burial was in the family lot in the Pioneer Cemetery at Jordan. The Graves Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Elizabeth Suzanne Spracklin
Elizabeth Suzanne Spracklin 92, of Stevensville, died at her home on Sunday, May 6, 2001. She was born in Bismark, N.D., on Sept. 26, 1908, to Kafer and Mary (Yunger) Heiss. She married Harley Spracklin in 1925. He preceded her in death in 1964, as did two sons Robert in 1986 and Donald in 1995 and one great great grandchild. Elizabeth moved to Stevensville in 1989. She had worked as a cook many years and at one time owned her own restaurant in Jordan. Survivors include two sons, William (Rita) Spracklin of Glendive and Keith (Irene) Spracklin of Denver City, Texas; two daughters, Ruth (Bill) Maynard of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Rose (Gene) Gehlen of Stevensville. Also surviving is a brother Art Heiss, 22 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 2 p.m. at Community Baptist Church in Stevensville with Pastor Earl Hargis officiating. Burial will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.  Source: Ravalli Republic, Monday, May 7, 2001 and the Missoulian, Monday May 7, 2001 B3.

6. Clifford Ray Spracklin was born 6 January, 1911 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and died 23 January, 1986 in Hamilton, Ravalli Co., Montana.

He married Viola Christine Rose (Long) on 10 November, 1936 in Jordan, Montana and they had four children together. She had been married about three times before and brought several children to the marriage.  Adam T. Hieb married April 2, 1918 in Miles City, one child Adam T. Heib. Albert Jack Long, married 6 December, 1920 in Miles City two children: Marie and Warren. A possible Hugo O. Bougaty was another marriage, no children?

Source: Marriage License, State of Montana, County of Garfield, Clifford Spracklin, white, residing Jordan, Montana, age 25, born in Desmoine I, not previously married, father Reed Spracklin mother Julia A. Silver. To Viola Long, white, residing Jordan, MT, age is 34 years, born Lakeville, Iowa, father is George F. Rose, mother Heneriatta Rudolph, 10 November 1936, Geo. H. Heatherington, Clerk of the District Court. 

Viola was born on 23 August, 1902 in Lakeville, St. Joseph, Indiana and she died on 28 June, 1977.  Her parents were George F. Rose and Henrietta Rudolph.  I believe that Clifford’s name was confused in the 1930 census and was written as Everett R.

Brothers Amos, Clif, Oliver and Harley

Source: 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Clifford Spracklin Family, School Dist. #34, Sartwell, Garfield, Montana, SD#5, ED#17-25, enumerated 24, April, 1940, Sht#1.

Line 31, 6, R, 5, yes, Spracklin, Clifford, Head, M, W, 29, M, No, 8, born Iowa, same house, 48, farmer, farmer, farm, OA, 52, 0, yes, 6. 

Spracklin, Viola, wife, F, W, 25, M, No, 5, born Illinois, no, no, no, no, H, o, o, no.

Spracklin, Clifford, Jr. Son, M, W, 6, S, yes, o, born Montana

Clifford Joe Spracklin

Spracklin, Mabel, Daughter, F, W, 1, S, No, born Montana

Spracklin, Marcella, daughter, F, W, 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Clifford is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana:

Clifford’s Tombstone in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan.

7. Leroy Dare Spracklin was born 8 December, 1913 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and died 9 September, 1994 in Miles City, Custer Co., Iowa.

He married Elizabeth Jane Cooper on 16 January, 1942 in South Mills, Camden Co., North Carolina.  They had one son Stewart O. born in Massachusetts.  Elizabeth was born about 1922 in Plainsville, Massachusetts and was the daughter of H.W. Cooper and Caroline.

He later remarried to a Lorraine Dolly Normandy.

Leroy was in the Navy from 1938 about 1947.  He muster in on 31 Mar 1939, BB-41, Mississippi, also 30 June, 31 Aug, 30 Sep, 31 Dec., Naval Receiving.

Leroy’s tombstone in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, MT.

Leroy’s Obituary and remembrance

8. Forest Irvin Spracklin was born 21 March, 1917 in Jordan, Dawson Co., Montana. He died 28 November, 1988 in Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington.

Obituary for Forest I. Spracklin
Forest I. Spracklin, 71, of Puyallup, died November 29, 1988. Mr. Spracklin was a resident of Puyallup since 1960. He was a retired accountant at the Rainier State School in Buckley (State Mental School). Survivors: sons, Charlie, Tacoma, Jerry, Larry and James Spracklin, Puyallup, August Grein, Anaheim, CA, Leroy Grein, Kent, daughter, Lorraine Canham, Arizona, one brother and one sister in Missouri; numerous grand and great-grandchildren. Memorials to the Tacoma Masonic Lodge. Funeral services Monday 2pm, Hill Funeral Home Chapel, Interment, Woodbine Cemetery. Tacoma. Source: The Morning News Tribune. (Dec. 1, 1988 B-4).

He married a Josephine Alma L. Schultze 17 September, 1942 in Spokane, Washington.  They had four children.  She had been previously married to an Albert Grein (1901 to 1978) and brought several children to the marriage. Josephine was born 19 September, 1912 in Kalispell, Montana and died 20 August, 1982 in Puyallup. Find A Grave has memorials and a photo of their tombstone at the Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup, Pierce Co., Washington.

9. Clara Ellen Spracklin was born 28 March, 1919 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and she died in 2006.

Clara Ellen Spracklin

She married Martin A. Derenburger on 23 December, 1934 in Jordan, Montana.  Martin was born 25 November, 1910 in Sugar Creek, Jackson Co., Missouri and died 25 December, 1972. Clara is buried in the Calvery Cemetery in Miles City.  They had four children together.  She remarried about 1977 in Miles City to Stanley Monger born about 1918 and died 3 June, 1989.

From the location of births and dates of birth you can see that Reed and Julia started in Calhoun Co., Iowa, moved to Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and then to Jordan, Montana.

The research on Reed Spracklin and his family is a little of my own and a great deal of my cousins who descend from this family. They have kindly shared their findings with me and pictures as well.  I had the opportunity of meeting them in 2003 and then again in 2010 when I visited Miles City, Montana, it was quite the reunion in a Jordan, Montana restaurant.  Of course, as always, more research can be done on the above families.  If you are interested in any of these families please feel free to leave a comment and I will get in touch with you, I do have more information about each family to share.