Caleb J. Sprague; One of the most notable and progressive farmers and stock raisers of Farmington Township, was born in Walworth Township, Ontario County, New York, July 8, 1832. His father Caleb Sprague was born and educated in Providence, Rhode Island. His natal day was January 17, 1789. When young man he went to New York and located in Ontario County, where he found his trade of milling. Here he married Lydia Aldrich, who became the mother of our subject.

The father of our subject came to Michigan in 1834, traveling by team to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat, whence teamed it again to Farmington Township. He found a log house already in the place which he purchased, a fine tract of 190 acres which is partly cultivated. He was a Whig in politics and a member of the Baptist Church in which he served many years it Deacon. Both he and his good wife live to an age of sixty-eight years, and now lie side-by-side in a long sleep in the Knapp Cemetery in Novi Township. They were the parents of two daughters and four sons, and now I had the happiness of seeing all except one grow to manhood and womanhood. The for now surviving are; Alonzo, Lorenzo, Caleb and Jonathan.

Our subject was but a little fellow was three years when he came to Michigan, and he took his first school and in Farmington Township and completed it at Northville. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, April 24, 1857. His bride was Mary., Daughter of Joshua and Hannah(McCumber) Simmons, natives of Massachusetts, and who located in Wayne County, this state, 1824. Mrs. Sprague was born in Wayne County this state, November 8, 1835. After their marriage, the young couple located on a farm of 80 acres near the village of Farmington, where they remained until he bought the place where he now resides.

Mr. Sprague has one of the finest farms and one of the handsomest residence in the county. It was in 1863 that he purchases farm of 180 acres, and in 1875 he erected his fine residence at the cost of $5000. He takes a justifiable pride in having everything about his home in the best shape and the most beautifully arranged, and among other attraction has a lovely fountain. He built a reservoir in his house which furnishes water to every room and supplies force for that use and his grounds. A large windmill on the premises gives the propelling power. He has been one of the best farmers in the County, and has raised some extraordinary cattle. Among these are two pair of twins steer a remarkable beauty and build. He has taken them to all the affairs, and in every case they took the prize, and have been the talk of the county, one pair weighed 7400 pounds, any other 6800 they were graded Durham he has a handsome oil painting of them which he naturally takes great delight is showing. He at one time Fine wool sheep, and it has always been his pride to excel his neighbors in the line of graded stock.