Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Gertrude L. Moore, dau. of Edward Moore, 6/16/1875 in Byron, MI; children: 2, Robert Edward and Harry Johnson
Number of Children: 2
Background
Education:
district schools; attended Grand Rapids High School for 1 term
Biographical Sketch:
Of Irish descent. In October, 1851, his parents, Robert Emery and Sarah Jane (Miller?) Sproat, came to Michigan and settled in the woods of Dorr township, Allegan Co. His youth was spent in helping to clear the farm. At age 10, he began attending school and at the age of 17 began teaching in a neighboring district. He attended the high school at Grand Rapids one term and taught winter terms of district schools until 27 years of age. In 1879, he moved to Grand Rapids and a year later entered the newspaper business as a canvasser and collector and has been connected with the papers of that city , as circulator , business manager , reporter and editor for over thirty years. In Dorr township, he held the offices of justice of the peace , township clerk and supervisor and was the secretary of the board of public works. His occupation on his death certificate is 'internal revenue agent'.
Notable Facts:
Died from prostate cancer