Nevada Genealogy Trails Washoe County Governor John Sparks Biography (Transcribed by Jeanne Kalkwarf)

His Excellency, the Governor, the Honorable John Sparks, is a Southerner ; that is, all of him that is not a Nevadan. Governor Sparks, who presides over the destinies of this great state, as campaign orators are wont to say, was born in Mississippi, August 30, 1843. Fourteen years later, in 1857, his family went to Texas and with them went the future governor. The Governor's parents were well known in the big state of Texas. His father was a pioneer stock raiser and members of his family took part in the skirmishes against hostile Indians. This gave young John Sparks an advantageous equipment of experience, which he was destined to need in his later life.

At the age of fourteen years he began working for himself. In 1868 he came to Nevada and became interested in the cattle business. He bought several ranches and at one time owned thousands of head of cattle. He has also extensive interests in mining in various parts of the state.

Governor Sparks is a Democrat, and has been active in the party ever since his boyhood. He was elected Governor of Nevada first in 1902 by a large majority and was re- elected at the last state election. The Governor is and has been for years a prominent factor in the development, of agriculture and stock raising.

Governor Sparks is a quiet, kindly man, with a heart overflowing with good cheer toward his fellow men. He has the southern, or perhaps better still, the western, idea of hospitality and this, with his many other splendid characteristics, has endeared him to the people of the state.

One of his possessions of which he is the most proud is a big ranch along the railroad between Carson and Reno, "The big ranch along the railroad between Carson and Reno, " The Alamo" the ranch is called, and there is probably no more beautiful place in the State. It is situated on the old Virginia City Turnpike, and takes its names from a fine grove of cottonwood trees standing near the home. As a country place there is nothing in the State to compare with it. The Governor has developed on land that was practically barren, everything that tends toward the beautiful. He has a herd of elk and buffalo, and he has done more than any other man in the West to keep this latter animal from becoming extinct. The Governor believes that today Nevada is the best live-stock state in the Union, and says that the industry is one which will continue to grow.

As a breeder of fancy stock, he is known all over the West, and even farther afield. He sent the first Herefords ever shipped to Honolulu into the islands, and his stock has even gone abroad, while there is hardly a corner in America where stock-raising exists, that the Alamo cows have not been sent.

Source:
Who's who in Nevada By Bessie Beatty 1907
Contributed by Barbara Z.