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Classification: Biography
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William McSparran, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., was born November 20, 1820. His
parents, James and Eleanor (Neal) McSparran were of Irish extraction, the paternal great
grandfather having come from Ireland and settled on land purchased from the Indians, in
the southern part of Lancaster County. This tract has ever since been owned and occupied
by the family, which is a large and influential one. The subject of this sketch, after
having received a training in farm life and a fair education, entered the mercantile
business at the age of twenty-one at Liberty Square, and after two years removed to
Chestnut Level, where he remained two years more. He then moved to Peach Bottom in York
County, where for five years he was engaged in the lumber and lime trade and in boating.
In 1850 he removed to West Bangor and formed a partnership with James A. McConkey, which
continued one year. At about the age of thirty-three he commenced farming, which business
he continues to pursue!
with eminent success. When about twenty-five years of age he married Miss. Alice
Caldwell, who lived only three months after marriage. He next married when about thirty,
Miss. Masaline Williamson, daughter of Maj. Thomas S. Williamson, who was the pioneer of
the Peach Bottom Slate business. She died in May, 1883, leaving one daughter, Henrietta,
who now resides with her father. On the land occupied and managed by Mr. McSparran, all
the slate quarries now operated in York County are located. This tract comprises about 700
acres, fifty of which are leased as slate quarries. These pay a royalty on all slate taken
out, which yield an income of about $3,000 per year. Three schoolhouses and three churches
are located on the property, which in addition to the slate leases, is divided into three
fine farms, two of which are rented out. Mr. McSparran’s second wife was a near relative
of Gov. Kirkwood, of Iowa. The family are members of the Slateville Presbyterian Church.
Taken from the book, “History of York County, Illustrated 1886” by John Gibson, Historical
Editor