My Genealogy Hound

Jasper N. Sperry, real estate and loan agent, of the firm of J. N. Sperry & Co., was born in Vinton County, Ohio, January 23, 1851, and is the son of James and Ruth (Claypoole) Sperry, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. James when a small boy emigrated to Ohio with his parents, and was there married to Miss Claypoole. In 1869 they moved to Champaign County, Ill., where the mother died in 1886. She was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Sperry is now living in Polk County, Mo. He has followed farming all his life, and has been quite successful in this occupation. The father is a Democrat, and has affiliated with that party since old enough to vote. Jasper N. Sperry was the eldest of six children, four sons and two daughters, and received his education in the district schools. At the age of sixteen he began teaching, and after accumulating some means, he attended Illinois Industrial University for some time. In 1874 he began reading law with Cunningham & Webber, of Urbana, Ill., completing his course with U. S. Claypoole of Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. After practicing a few months he returned to Urbana, Ill., and taught a school for some time. In 1878 he married Miss Ruth Ratcliff, a native of this county, but who was in Illinois on a visit. The following year they moved to Polk County, Mo., and here Mr. Sperry was engaged in farming, teaching school and merchandising until 1883, when he opened a real estate office, and is now also connected with the Bolivar Loan and Trust Company. As a business man Mr. Sperry has been quite successful; having come to this county with almost nothing, he has accumulated a handsome property. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.; he and wife are members of the Christian Church.