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DEATH OF WM. 0. SPRIGG, ESQ.One of Cumberland’s Oldest Citizens Gone—A Sketch of His Life.A telegram received Wednesday afternoon brought the sad but not unexpected news that Mr. Wm, O. Sprigg had died at 1:45 p. m., at the home of his brother in \V ashington, where he had gone lor medical treatment. Although sulfering intensely he bore the pain with the same cheerful, hopefulness that hemet every change in life, llis death was quiet and peaceful.The news was received here with great regret for he was generally beloved and respected. 1'here is probably no man in the city better known throughout thecounty than Mr. .Sprigg,as he has alwaystaken an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of Cumberland and Allegany county.William O. Sprigg was the son of Michael C. Sprigg and Mary Sprigg, nee Lamar. He was born in this city Janu-uary 28th, 1810, in the house known asWashington’s headquarters, which stoodon the property now owned by Mr. O. C. Gephart. His father, Michael C. Sprigg,was a very prominent man in the countyand held many positions of public trust,among them being Congressman during Jackson’s administration, ana commissioner and president of the canal. He was a grandson of the well known Indiantighter, Col Michael Cresap.His mother was the daughter of Col. W rn. Lamar, of Revolutionary fame, who was a large landed proprietor, owning all the lands in Evitt’s Creek Valleyfrom the Potomac to the Hallimore turnpike, and also lands in Virginia. He at one time owned the “Vale Farm,” since celebrated for its wealth of coal.In early boyhood Mr. Sprigg lived for •t shot t time at \ ale I arm, but always afterwards at Cumberland, with the exception of a few months at Hagerstown. He was educated at Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania. His first busi-nes experience was in tlie store of L. A K. I. Lowndes, after which he was cashier of the Mineral Rank, ‘his position he resigned Dccem-T,b 1H47* Early in this year Tho*. J. McKaig, A. Cowton, (L W. Claubaugh, Joseph and E. T. Hhriver and Mr. Sprigg organized the llelvidere Hall Association, which erected Belvidere Hall, on Baltimore street, This was the chief place of amusement until the present Academy was built.Mr. Sprigg was thrice elected to the City Council, viz.; in 1*58,1867 and 1*7:1. In 1875 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. At the solicitation of friends he consented to run for mayor in 1**6, but was defeated by Mr. Shuck. Since then he has taken no part in politics and general affairs save the interest which every good citizen feels for hiscountry’s welfare.In 1841, Mr. Sprigg was married to Miss Sarah Sargant Van Lear, by whom he bad one sou, Lamar Sprigg, now a resident of Texas. Mrs. Sprigg died in 1843. He again married in 1848, his second wife being Miss Jeannette iiazle-lmrst, sister of Henry Hazlehurst, and sister-in law of the Hon. Benj. 11. La-trobe. The children of this marriage are Carroll, now liviug in New York, Tilgh-man, Hazlehurst, Maria and Jeanette.who live at home, and Alldiu Sprigg of Pittsburg,Two sisters and a brother survive him; Mrs. T. Leiper Patterson and Mrs. Long, of Cumberland, and Jas. 0. Sprigg, Esq.,of Washington, at whose house be died.Mr. Sprigg’s cheery disposition madehim a welcome guest everywhere. He kept himself in sympathy with those about him and was cordial to both young and old. He had a kind heart whichprompted him to acts of quiet charity, aud of these no one ever heard him speak. All of these attributes made him love life and he struggled bravely to live, bearing his suffering and meeting death as courageously as he had lived.
Newspaper Details
Cumberland Weekly Civilian
Cumberland, Maryland, US
Fri, Jun 26, 1891
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 27 Jun 2022
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