George B. Sparkman

George Bascom Sparkman (September 20, 1855 – August 31, 1898) was an attorney who was twice mayor of the city of Tampa, Florida, from 1881–1883 and 1887–1888.[1]

George Bascom Sparkman
19th Mayor of Tampa
In office
March 22, 1881 – August 14, 1883
Preceded byMatthew E. Haynsworth
Succeeded byDuff Post
22nd
In office
July 15, 1887 – March 8, 1888
Preceded byHerman Glogowski
Succeeded byHerman Glogowski
Personal details
BornSeptember 20, 1855
Dover, Florida
DiedAugust 31, 1898
Tampa, Florida
Cause of deathYellow fever
Political partyDemocratic

Early years

George Bascom Sparkman was born on September 20, 1855 in Dover, Florida to Elijah Bird Sparkman and Sarah Ann Mizell.[2] He attended high school in Tampa and entered the University of Virginia Law School.[1]

Mayor

Henry Clarke Farris had moved outside the city limits, violating the city charter. He was forced to resign on February 19, 1881. City Council President Matthew Haynesworth became acting mayor until March 22, 1881, when Sparkman was appointed by the city council and sworn in to complete Farris's term.[3]

The charter was revised in April 1887; Sparkman was he first mayor under the new municipal government.[4][5]

Later and personal life

After his time in office as mayor, he would serve as the Judge of the Sixth Circuit Court from 1893 to 1894.[1]

Sparkman was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He would be married to Mary Kershaw and they would have 7 children.[1]

Sparkman would die of yellow fever on August 31, 1898 in Tampa.[1]

References
  1. "George Bascom Sparkman - 19th And 22nd Mayor Of Tampa". City of Tampa.
  2. "Genealogical records of the pioneers of Tampa and of some who came after them".
  3. http://www.tampagov.net/sites/default/files/city-clerk/files/themayorsoftampabookweb.pdf
  4. Steve Rajtar (2007). A Guide To Historic tampa. p. 22. ISBN 9781596292536.
  5. http://www.manateemosquito.com/downloads/YellowFever.pdf
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