Stephen Anderson Spradley

1849 - 1928  (79 years)

• Name	Stephen Anderson Spradley
  Born	10 Oct 1849	Crenshaw Co. AL
  Gender	Male
  Died	27 Dec 1928	Troy, Pike Co. AL
  Notes	Commissioned as Justice of the Peace, September 1, 1900, appointed Justice of the Peace for Precinct 15, Pike Co, Alabama September 22, 1904. 1913 newspaper article from either the Mongomery Advertiser or Montgomery Journal. Spradley Here for the First Time in Nearly 40 Years: Former Resident Relates Experience of "Carpetbagger" Days, Has Not Seen Railroad Train Since He Left Stephen A. Spradley, of Pike County, who is making his first visit to this city in thirty-eight years, gave a vivid picture of conditions as they existed at that time. "The last time I was in the city", said Mr. Spradley, "was October, 1875. At that time Montgomery had not recovered from the effects of the war, and everything was chaos and confusion.The carpetbaggers were in control and everything was in bad shape. I drove forty-five miles to Montgomery to sell a load of produce, and it took me five days to make the trip with a yoke and oxen." "I remember that sweet potatoes brought $3.25 a bushel in greenback money, Greenbacks at that time was worth about one-half of their face value. Anyone who had any gold or silver money kept it secreted, and this, added to the hardships of the times as it was difficult to trade your paper money for produce or provisions. I remember distinctly having to give $25 in greenbacks for $10.00 worth of food. This money was later redeemed at face value. "When George S. Houston was elected governor of the state he had a law passed to tax all money that was stored away, and in this way more gold and silver was put into circulation." "The only railroad was the L & N and at that time they burned wood only. I have never seen a railroad since." Mr. Spradley was greatly surprised to learn that there were buildings over six stories high now in Montgomery. "At that time the only building of six stories was the old Madison Hotel", he said. When speaking of the outrages committed by the carpetbaggers, Mr. Spradley's eyes flashed and his face grew red. "While they were not in power long, it was awful while it lasted," he declared. "...the thieves and crooks from the north came down here and we reelected to office. ... and you can see what the result was. Montgomery is a fine place now and I am sorry to have to leave it so soon." Mr. Spradley is visiting his daughter at 15 Brassel Street while here. OBITUARY Stephen A. Spradley died at five o;'clock this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. F. Porath on Williams St. He was born in 1849 in Crenshaw County and moved to Pike County in 1897. He was perhaps the oldest member of the Antioch Church of Christ in Pike County, having been a member about 50 years. He was preceded to the grave by his wife, and an infant many years ago. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs J. J. Rushing, Mrs. G. F. Porath, Mrs. J. D. Youngblood and Mrs. Jack Coll, of Baton Rouge, LA., son J. K. Spradley, three brothers, C. T.Spradley, John Spradley and W. P. Spradley, and a number of other relatives who mourn his death. The funeral services will be conducted at Antioch Church at Shellhorn, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by Rev. W. T. Grider assisted by Rev. W. E. Pedigo. the body will be laid to rest in the Antioch Cemetery with Rhodes Funeral Home in charge. Active pall bearers: Gaylord Spradley, Ray Spradley, Albert Rushing, Druard Rushing, J. D. Howard and Kirby Brown.
  Person ID	I11154	Master File
  Last Modified	6 Feb 2012

  
  

  Family	Avarille Catherine CASTELLAW,   b. 05 Jun 1852, Alabama ,   d. 07 May 1927, Youngblood, Pike Co.,AL  (Age 74 years)
  Married	26 Jan 1873	Crenshaw Co. AL
  Children	+ 1. Ella Melissa Spradley,   b. 06 Jan 1874, Patsburg, Crenshaw Co. AL ,   d. 26 Aug 1963, Montgomery Co. AL  (Age 89 years) + 2. John Kirby Smith Spradley,   b. 08 Sep 1897, Pike Co. AL ,   d. 11 Dec 1939, Pike Co. AL  (Age 42 years) + 3. Mary Julia Spradley,   b. 10 Jan 1882, Crenshaw Co. AL ,   d. 08 Jan 1950, Pike Co. AL  (Age 67 years)   4. Sarah Frances Spradley,   b. 14 Jan 1885, Pike Co. AL ,   d. 18 Aug 1885, Pike Co. AL  (Age 0 years) + 5. Carrie Missouri Spradley,   b. 20 Oct 1886, Pike Co. AL ,   d. Jan 1973, Montgomery Co. AL  (Age 86 years) + 6. Ada Lee Spradley,   b. 14 Jan 1891, Patsburg, Crenshaw Co. ,   d. 21 Oct 1982, Montgomery Co. AL  (Age 91 years)
  Last Modified	6 Feb 2012
  Family ID	F6873	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart