Charles Wesley Sprague stands well among the leading farmers and prominent men of the town of Hempstead, and has won his standing by patient and unremitting hard work. His position has not been reached by virtue of any favoring circumstances, but simply because he marked out a course of conduct early in life that, faithfully followed out, has brought him to his present position of respect and comfort.

Mr. Sprague was born in this town in 1852, and is the son of Elijah and Jane Ann (Snedeker) Sprague, both natives of Hempstead, where they spent their entire lives. The father was prominently identified in agricultural pursuits during his life and was the owner of a snug little farm. He was widely and favorably known as an honest, straightforward citizen and his decease, which occurred in 1888, was greatly lamented. His excellent wife preceded him to the land beyond by several years, dying in 1874.

The subject of the sketch was given the opportunity for gaining a common school education, and when ready to embark in life for himself chose the occupation of a farmer, to which calling he had been reared. He gives the greater portion of his time and attention to truck farming, finding a good market for his products in the surrounding cities. His estate is small when compared with the hundreds of acres which are bound up in western farms, but large when its nearness to the great metropolis is considered. The residence and outbuildings are of modern construction and the estate as a whole is one of the best in the county.

The lady to whom Mr. Sprague was married in 1874 bore the name of Anna Hegeman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hegeman, also natives of the island. The father of Mrs. Sprague was for many years a well-to-do merchant of New York, and was the owner of considerable property on the island, among his possessions being a good farm near Milburn.

To our subject and his estimable wife there has been born a son, W. Edward, a bright and capable young man who is still under the parental roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are members in excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former takes a very prominent part in church work and is at present chairman of the board of trustees and is also steward of his congregation. His father, who was likewise a Methodist, held these positions during his lifetime.

In politics our subject has been identified with the Republican party since attaining his majority. He gives strict attention to the business in which he is engaged, and, being a man of unswerving honesty, whose word is considered as good as his bond, he has the confidence and good will of the entire community. The Sprague family, of which he is a worthy representative, is one of the oldest and most prominent on the island.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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