My Genealogy Hound

RALPH E. SPRIGG, the Mayor of Chester, enjoys the reputation of being a thoroughly posted man in public affairs. He has had a vast amount of experience, and his most trivial business transactions are characterized by good judgment and strict integrity. He is a prominent citizen, and one who has been of much benefit to the city where he resides. A son of James D. and Amanda E. (Mudd) Sprigg, our subject was born in Prairie du Rocher, Ill., October 9, 1860. His paternal grandfather, Ignatius Sprigg, was a native of Maryland, and on locating in Randolph County, this state, became one of the pioneers of this section, and in 1825 was elected Sheriff. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Felix Mudd. He was a farmer by occupation and hailed from Kentucky. James D. Sprigg died in this county in 1871. He was a stanch Democrat politically and was always greatly interested in local and state politics. His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, making her home in Chester.

Ralph E. Sprigg was the youngest in a family of six children born to his parents, all of whom are deceased but one, John D. He passed his boyhood and youth in attending the public schools at homeland later, desiring to gain a more extended knowledge, became a student at St. Vincent College. Being matriculated from that institution, young Sprigg went north and entered the University of Michigan, remaining there for some time. After completing his studies, our subject returned to this city and read law in the office of Johnson & Horner. Later, in 1878, he took a course of lectures in the Georgetown University at Washington, D. C.

June 9, 1880, in Chester, our subject was married to Miss Betty, daughter of John H. and Margaret Lindsey, of this place, and to them has been born one daughter, Nora. After his marriage Mr. Sprigg began the practice of law, associating himself with Judge Lindsey, which partnership continued until the death of the latter, in 1885. For the succeeding two years Mr. Sprigg carried on his professional work alone, and at the expiration of that time became associated with William Hartzell, under the firm name of Hartzell & Sprigg, which connection exists at the present time.

Upon political issues Mr. Sprigg is in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party. He has filled the office of City Attorney, and for eight years has been the efficient State’s Attorney of Randolph County. In 1890 our subject was a member of the School Board, and he performed in the most reliable manner every duty devolving upon him, thus winning the esteem of all who know him. He has attained success, and he fully merits the confidence accorded him throughout the community in which he resides. He is a very popular young man, and in 1893 was elected Mayor of Chester. He is Vice-President of the Southern Illinois Stock and Agricultural Association, and socially is a Knight of Pythias. Judging from the qualities of his mind and the energy of his nature, the friends of Mr. Sprigg predict for him a still more brilliant and useful future.