SQ p. 1337-8:
"Sarah A. Sparks, daughter of Robert Thomas and Mary Ann (Wallingford)Sparks., was born about 1842 in Kentucky; she was still living in 1925(see the letter written by Ed Fee). She was married to Henry Gil-breth,who was born in 1835 and died in 1906. When the 1880 census was taken,her father, Robert Thomas Sparks., was living with them. Following isthe obituary of Henry Gilbreth published in a Dallas City, Illinois,newspaper at the time of his death in February, 1906. From this itappears that he and his wife,, Sarah., were separated at the time of hisdeath:
" 'People were greatly surprised Tuesday morning on learning thatHenry Gilbreth, for many years a respected citizen, had been found deadin the doorway of his home on Fifth street where he lived alone. ...Henry Gilbreth was born near Galena., Ill.., in October, 1835., makinghim at the time of his death about seventy years and four months of age.He came to Dallas City before the war and in 1862 enlisted in Co. H, 78thIllinois Infantry and served three years. After being mustered out hereturned to this city and had ever since made it his home. He was sextonof the city cemetery for a quarter of a century and also a member ofAllen Post No. 621., G.A.R.
'He is survived by a wife living at Normal, Ill., and nine childrenfive sons and four daughters., namely: Margaret (Mrs. Jackson), Alice(Mrs. Wm. Anderson) both residents of Oklahoma; Clara, who died aboutten years ago at Stratton., Nebraska; Lucy (Mrs. Joe Bootes) of New YorkCity; William, Angels' Camp, Calif.; Joseph, Carnan, Ill.; Fred, asoldier in the U.S. Army, now stationed at Pekin (clipping torn at thispoint); John, a student of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill.;and Benjamin, a soldier now stationed at Ft. Stevens, Oregon.
'After the remains were shrouded and coffined at Koll's undertakingplace Wednesday evening they were taken to the city hall, where theyremained until the hour of the funeral and were viewed by hundreds of ourcitizens who knew him so well. He was quiet, honest, industrious, and ifhe had an enemy in town we never heard of it. The funeral occurred fromthe M.E. church at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon, Rev. J. B. Kingofficiating. He was laid to rest in the city cemetery over which he hadexercised a jealous care for twenty-five years.' "