Mission Twp. -
ENOCH SPRADLING, deceased, was born in Tennessee, June 10, 1811, a son of John Spaulding, a native of North Carolina, who moved to Franklin County, Ind., when our subject was a child.  They located in the woods, and his educational advantages were meager, but he improved his leisure hours, and before twenty-one years of age he was teaching school.  He taught several years, both before and after his marriage, and was successful in this vocation,  In 1841 he came to La Salle County and located in Mission Township, living in a one-room log cabin, 14 x 16 feet in size.  The next year he added another story to it and put on a new roof.  They boarded the school-teacher in the summer and Mr. Spradling spun and wove to help make a living.  He took his grain and hogs to Chicago to market, taking three days to make the trip, and sold his hogs for $2 a hundred and his wheat at 50 cents a bushel.  Both worked hard, and their united efforts were successful in the accumulation of a large property, Mr. Spradling at the time of his death being worth $60,000.  They lived in the log cabin five years, and then built a frame house, which was burned in 1851.  His neighbors offered financial assistance, which was declined, but kindly gave shelter to the family and work in rebuilding the house where Mr. Spradling now lives, on the site of the one burned. Mr. Spradling was married Jan. 1, 1834, to Sarah Dart, a native of Dearborn County, Ind., born in 1817, daughter of Thomas D. and Rachel (Iams) Dart.  They had ten children, five of whom are living - James W., Mrs. Rachel Debolt, Mrs. Elizabeth Pooler, Mrs. Frances E. Snelling and Mrs. Josephine V. Rood.  A son, Enoch John, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died at the age of twenty-six years.  A daughter, Mrs. Nancy Rowe, died aged twenty years, and another, Alice, was thrown from a horse and killed when thirteen years of age.  In May, 1883, Mr. Spradling, went to Norway to get some work done, and as he was turning the team the front wheel caught and the wagon was tipped over on him, and he received injuries from the effects of which he died the 20th of the same month.  He was a man of unexcelled ambition and energy, and was respected by all who knew him.  He was a friend of the poor and needy and gave liberally toward the support of the Gospel and benevolent institutions.  He was Justice of the Peace of his township several years, and also served as Supervisor and in other positions of trust and responsibility.
Source: History of La Salle County, Illinois - Vol. I - Publ. 1886 - Page 467