from
http://www.sparksfamilyassn.org/php/view_pages.php?article=023-A
posted - 23 Jan 2022

BEGIN

9.1.2.5.1 ACHILLES KNIGHT SPARKS, 1813-1873

This writer's (Martha Sparks Smith) paternal grandfather, Achilles (called
'Killy') Knight Sparks, was born in Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia,
on September 5, 1813. On September 12, 1835, at the age of twenty-two,
he married Miss Martha Ann Lake, who was born in Forsyth, Monroe County,
Georgia, on August 2, 1815. She was a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth
(Acree) Lake, and was a granddaughter of Richard Lake, Revolutionary soldier
from Hunderdon County, New Jersey, who purchased land in Greene County,
Georgia, in 1796. The U.S. census of 1790 lists Richard Lake among the
taxpayers of that district. (See The Lake Family by Devereux Lake, page
137.) Achilles Sparks died in Putnam County, Georgia, on November 24,
1873; Martha Ann, his widow, died in Pike County, Georgia, on August 16,
1898. They are both buried in the cemetery at Griffin, Georgia. At the
time of her death, Martha Ann was making her home with her eldest son,
William Sparks, and his wife, Sarah.

Practically nothing is known to me of my grandfather's youth. He was three
years old when his father, William Sparks, died. His father's brother,
Thomas Sparks, became his guardian and from census records it appears that
he and his brother, McCurdy, lived with their uncle. My father, Ludlow
Ekillis Sparks, gave me in 1919 the following information about his father:

'After my mother and father were married they lived on his plantation near
some river--think Ocmulgee--in Monroe County. From this plantation he moved to
Harris County to his plantation there. From there he went to either Forsyth
or Griffin; took a contract with Dred Hill and some ----- Fisher to build a
railroad--later known as the Central of Georgia. During his lifetime he built
part of the West Point road about Opelika, Alabama. Took a contract filling
up some long trestles on the So. Western road from Macon to Columbus. Next he
built part of the road--that part between Millen and Waynesboro--now known as
the Central. He built the road from Thomaston to Barnesville in 1854 to1865,
now known as the Central of Georgia. He moved to Graysville, Georgia, and
lived there when he was cutting the tunnel through Missionary Ridge, four
or five miles from Chattanooga. It was said that the tunnel through that
Ridge was so nearly completed that the Union and Confederate soldiers could
hear through it. Work on this tunnel during the War Between the States was
necessarily suspended and not resumed during his lifetime. When the war
ended he left Graysville, and returned to his plantation near Griffin.'

It was at Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia, that my father and his brothers
enlisted in the Confederate Army. (Ringgold is quite near Graysville.)

My father's middle name was the same as my grandfather's first name,
Achilles, but my father always spelled it 'Ekillis,' probably because at
that time ours was a phonetic language and a name was spelled in any way
that conveyed the sound--hence 'Ekillis' for Achilles.

So far as we know, Achilles Sparks left no written record of any incident of
his life, of his home, of his associations, of his Seminole War record, nor of
his physical or social status. We can only speculate about these things. From
his photograph, reproduced on the cover of this issue of the Quarterly,
we know he was a man of powerful physique. He appears to have been of good
moral habits and a communicant of the Methodist Church. He seems to have
prospered and we gather that his children inherited a comfortable property.

We believe he was a man of some standing and worth in the communities in
which he lived. We have knowledge of his sons and daughters; likewise of
their descendants. If, as is often the case, the mental and moral qualities
of a man are reflected in the personalities of his children, we are warranted
in concluding that he was a man of forceful character, a man of sobriety,
of industry and probably of a religious turn of mind.

Following is a listing of the children of Achilles Knight and Martha Ann
(Lake) Sparks and their descendants:

    9.1.2.5.1.1 William Abraham Sparks, eldest son of Achilles Knight and
    Martha Ann (Lake) Sparks, was born December 19, 1836; died May 5, 1911. He
    married Miss Sallie Crawford. She died in June, 1911. No children.

    9.1.2.5.1.2 Alonzo Norflick Sparks, son of Achilles Knight and Martha Ann
    (Lake) Sparks, was born April 16, 1838; died in California. He married,
    in Graysville, Ga., Miss Hattie Smith of Richmond, Va. Children: Two
    daughters, names unknown, who lived in Tennessee.

    9.1.2.5.1.3 Ludlow Ekillis Sparks, son of Achilles Knight and Martha Ann
    (Lake) Sparks, was born April 21, 1840, near Forsyth, Monroe County,
    Ga.; died November 6, 1922, at Morrow Station, Ga. He served in the
    Confederate Army during the War Between the States; following is his
    own account of his service:

        'I enlisted in the Confederate Army at Ringgold, Catoosa County,
        Georgia, in May 1861 as a private in Company B, 1st Georgia Battalion,
        for one year's service. Our battalion was sent to Pensacola,
        Florida; from there we went to Navy Yard at the mouth of Pensacola
        Bay. Garrisoned Fort McRee at the bombardment of that Fort for three
        days by the Yanks' Fleet, and Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island;
        from there transferred to Mobile, Alabama. At the organization I
        was elected First Sergeant of our Company (B). At the expiration
        of our first enlistment, we re-enlisted for duration of the war
        and organized the First Confederate Regiment Georgia Volunteers;
        sent to Fort Gaines, Ala., mouth of Mobile Bay. Remained there until
        '64; transferred to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army at Dalton, Ga.;
        was in campaign from there to Atlanta, Ga.; was wounded at Pine
        Mountain, near Marietta, Ga.; was in campaign from there to Atlanta,
        Ga.; was wounded at Pine Mountain, near Marietta, Ga., 15 June,
        '64. After my wound healed I was put on special service at Columbus,
        Ga., remained there until the surrender.'

    Ludlow Ekillis Sparks was married twice; first, to Mrs. Molly
    (Innis) Stanton on November 6, 1870. There were no children of this
    marriage. After the death of his first wife, he was married, second,
    on March 12, 1885, to Miss Mary Ida McClary, daughter of Capt. Robert
    James and Anna Leonora (Plowden) McClary. She was born April 11, 1854,
    in Calhoun Co., Ga., and died May 11, 1908, in Atlanta, Ga. Children:

        9.1.2.5.1.3.1 Margaret Audessa Sparks, born December 25, 1885, in
        Atlanta, Ga. She married, February 27,1908, Bartow Woodson Elliott,
        who was born October 26, 1874. Children:

            9.1.2.5.1.3.1.1 Robert Henry Elliott, born at Morrow Station,
            Ga., October 4, 1909; married, September 7, 1946, Miss Carrie
            Lucile Cole, who was born December 31, 1921. Robert Henry
            Elliott served in the Air Force in World War II. No children.

            9.1.2.5.1.3.1.2 Mary Ida Elliott, born at Morrow Station, Ga.,
            August 29, 1911; married, first, February 3, 1934, Alonza Frank
            Brooks, born December 10, 1912; they had one daughter:

                9.1.2.5.1.3.1.2.1 Lillian Joanne Brooks, who was born December
                28, 1934, and married William Heidenrich on September 1,
                1957. Mary Ida married, second, on March 15, 1946, John
                W. Little, born September 24, 1904; children:

                    9.1.2.5.1.3.1.2.1.1 Jimmy Lynn Little, born December
                    13, 1946;
                    9.1.2.5.1.3.1.2.1.2 Nancy Elaine Little, born September
                    2, 1950.

            9.1.2.5.1.3.1.3 An infant, Roger Elliott, born 1916, died 1916. 
            9.1.2.5.1.3.1.4 Lynn Ekillis Elliott, born January 10, 1922;
            died December 5, 1929.
            9.1.2.5.1.3.1.5 Floyd Gregory Elliott, born September 19, 1924;
            married February 8, 1946, Miss Mary Veatrice Landingham, who
            was born August 26, 1924. Children:

                9.1.2.5.1.3.1.5.1 Floyd Gregory Elliott, born December
                9, 1946;
                9.1.2.5.1.3.1.5.2 Michael Lee Elliott, born October 28,
                1950; and
                9.1.2.5.1.3.1.5.3 Randal Lynn Elliott, born August 26, 1956.

        9.1.2.5.1.3.2 Edward Knight Sparks was born in Pike County, Ga., on
        September 15, 1888; married November 14, 1912, Miss Estelle Chambliss,
        born July 19, 1892. They had one daughter,

                9.1.2.5.1.3.2.1 Mary Elizabeth Sparks, born in Atlanta,
                Ga., on September 8, 1914. She married James B. Owen;
                they have one son,

                    9.1.2.5.1.3.2.1.1 James B. Owen Jr., born in Atlanta
                    on October 9, 1946.

        9.1.2.5.1.3.3 Martha McClary Sparks was born near Morrow Station,
        Ga., November 20, 1891; married, June 12, 1912, Olin Parks Smith,
        who was born July 4, 1889, in Elbert Ga. He died November 14,
        1941. One daughter:

                9.1.2.5.1.3.3.1 Mildred Marlin Smith, born in Elberton,
                Ga., May 26, 1913; she married in Bryn Mawr, Pa on July 8,
                1939, Dr. David Graham Wright, who was born November 9,
                1912. They have two children:

                    9.1.2.5.1.3.3.1.1 David Wallace Wright, born in
                    Philadelphia, Pa., on January 16, 1942; and
                    9.1.2.5.1.3.3.1.2 John Thornton Wright, born in
                    Providence,R.I., on January 20, 1946.

        9.1.2.5.1.3.4 Robert Ludlow Sparks, son of Ludlow E. and Mary Ida
        (McClary) Sparks was born near Morrow Station, Clayton Co., Ga.,
        on July 11, 1893; married on December 22, 1923, Miss Elizabeth
        Parkins, who was born September 4, 1893. No children.

    9.1.2.5.1.4 Sarah Elizabeth Sparks, daughter of Achilles Knight and Martha
    Ann (Lake) Sparks, was born in October, 1841; she married, on December 10,
    1866, John C. Whitcomb. She died January 24, 1886. They had two children:

        9.1.2.5.1.4.1 Harry Whitcomb. 
        9.1.2.5.1.4.2 Iva Whitcomb.
        No further information about descendants

    9.1.2.5.1.5 James McCurdy Sparks, son of Achilles Knight and Martha Ann
    (Lake) Sparks was born in October, 1843; died February 12, 1881. He
    married Miss Lizzie Blanton on October 4, 1870. She was born in 1852
    and died in 189 Both were buried at Griffin, Ga. He was a dealer in
    hardware and furniture, proprietor of a livery stable, and proprietor
    of the hotel in Griffin. They had one son,

        9.1.2.5.1.5.1 Henry Sparks, who married Annie Claston and lived in
        Alabama; he had a son named

                9.1.2.5.1.5.1.1 Henry Claxton Sparks, born 1915.

        [Webmaster Note: the following is copied from WN 48]

        9.1.2.5.1.5.1 Henry Williamson Sparks, was born October 8, 1872,
        and died September 20, 1943. He married on August 16, 1914, Miss
        Annie Claxton.

        Their son, 9.1.2.5.1.5.1.1 Henry Claxton Sparks, born June 4, 1915,
        in Birmingham, Alabama. (Information received from Mr. H. Claxton
        Sparks - envelope marked HCS Board of Education, Post Office Drawer
        114, Birmingham 1, Alabama.) Mr. Claxton Sparks wrote:

            "I have no brothers or sisters, or no children, so this may
            be the end of the line." His home address: 2000 Warwick Road,
            Ensley-Birmingham, Alabama. His mother is still living (1964).

    9.1.2.5.1.6 Joseph Wood Sparks, son of Achilles Knight and Martha Ann
    (Lake) Sparks was born August 12,1846; died March 9, 1918, in Albany,
    Ga., buried in Montgomery, Ala. He was married on December 27, 1875,
    to Miss Estelle C. Allen, daughter of Robert H. and Sarah (Santett)
    Allen. She was born April 25, 1857, and died May 24, 1907. Children:

        9.1.2.5.1.6.1 Lois Sparks, born January 11, 1877; married on June 12,
        1899, Dr. Charles F. Chandler, of Montgomery, Ala. They had one child:

            9.1.2.5.1.6.1.1 Annie Lasseter Chandler, born May 4, 1906;
            married October 16, 1929, J. A. Williams.

        9.1.2.5.1.6.2 Ruth Sparks, born March 19, 1880; died September 17,
        1934; married October 15, 1903, Mr. J. E. Robinson, of Thomasville,
        Ga. Children:

            9.1.2.5.1.6.2.1 Joseph Evans Robinson, Jr., born December 26,
            1905; died November 1940; married February 22, 193-, Marjorie Cox.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.2.2 Robert Sparks Robinson, born October 15, 1912;
            married, August 1935, Mildred McDonald.

        9.1.2.5.1.6.3 Joseph Robert Sparks, born March 14, 1883; died April
        16, 1925; married in April or March, 1907, Ruth Ziegler. Children:

            9.1.2.5.1.6.3.1 George Wood Sparks, born June 20, 1908; married
            July 28, 1934, Mary Evelyn Kline. No children.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.3.2 Joseph Robert Sparks, Jr., born August 1, 1915;
            he married and had one daughter, name unknown.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.3.3 Elizabeth Ruth Sparks, born October 9, 1912.

        9.1.2.5.1.6.4 Achilles (or Echilles) Sparks, son of Joseph Wood
        Sparks, born September 2, 1888; married April 4, 1920, Pearl
        Wall. Children:

            9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1 E. K. Sparks, Jr., born December 14, 1920;
            married, January 16, 1942, Estelle G. Hudson. Children:

                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1.1.E. K. Sparks III, born June 29, 1943;
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1.2 James F. Sparks, born June 29, 1949;
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1.3 Timothy H. Sparks, born December 27, 1951;
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1.4 Melissa Ann Sparks, born July 27, 1953;
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.1.5 Robert Brian Sparks, born April 8, 1957.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.4.2 Ruth Estelle (or Rena) Sparks, daughter of
            Achilles and Pearl (Wall) Sparks, born April 25, 1926. She
            married April 17, 1949, Wayman Wallace. They have two children:

                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.2.1 Debbie L. Wallace, born July 27, 1950; and
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.2.2 Claudia (Nancy) Wallace, born January
                8, 1953.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.4.3 Elna Lois Sparks, daughter of Achilles and Pearl
            (Wall) Sparks, born August 11, 1924; married October 26, 1942,
            Harry A. Bozarth. They have two children:

                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.3.1 Lois Ann Bozarth, born June 7, 1944; and
                9.1.2.5.1.6.4.3.2 Harry A. Bozarth, Jr., born June 13, 1948.

        9.1.2.5.1.6.5 Henry Conklin Sparks, son of Joseph Wood and Estelle
        C. (Allen) Sparks, was born April 16, 1894; married October 12,
        1921, Louise Pharr, of Washington, Ga. Children:

            9.1.2.5.1.6.5.1 Henry C. Sparks, Jr., born August 8, 1922;
            died August 9, 1922.
            9.1.2.5.1.6.5.2 Lavonia Hammond Sparks, born June 27, 1925;
            married December 26, 1946, Col. Max Thurmond. They had one
            daughter:

                9.1.2.5.1.6.5.2.1 Louise Carroll Thurmond, born June 9, 1951.

            Following the death of Col. Thurmond, Lavonia married, second,
            on April 24, 1954, Ed D. Richetson,[sic] Jr. They have one son:

                9.1.2.5.6.5.2.2 Edward Doughty Richetson [sic] III, born March 10, 1955.

            9.1.2.5.1.6.5.3 Henry C. Sparks, Jr., born July 7, 1928;
            married June 26, 1955, Helen Powell. Children:

                9.1.2.5.1.6.5.3.1 Henry Sparks III, born April 23, 1956; and
                9.1.2.5.1.6.5.3.2 Joseph M. Sparks, born April 23, 1956
                (twins).

        Joseph Wood and Estelle C. (Allen) Sparks also had an infant daughter,
        born December 6, 1878, who died at birth. There were also an infant
        daughter and infant son who died at birth for whom we have no dates.

    9.1.2.5.1.7 Martha Pruella (Ella) Sparks, daughter of Achilles Knight
    and Martha Ann (Lake) Sparks, was born August 19, 1849. She married
    John T. Jones of Pike Co., Ga. It is known that they had a son named
    9.1.2.5.1.7.1 William Jones. No further data.

END