Biographical Sketch of
Martin Sperbeck
Transcribed by Robert Schieber Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 475 - 476 In the death of this gentleman Adams county lost a worthy citizen and excellent business man and farmer. He had resided in the vicinity of Plainville township for over a quarter of a century, and his estate, upon which he passed his last days, was a model one, and evidenced careful management and painstaking care. He had erected a commodious residence, in which he and his family were to enjoy the comforts of a home, when the angel beckoned him to the great beyond, and he passed away from their midst. He was well known throughout the county and surrounding country as a man of excellent ability, genial nature and mental strength. Mr. Sperbeck was born in Fairport, Monroe county, N. Y., August 24, 1834, and was the son of John and Betsy Sperbeck, of New York. He went to Michigan at the age of twenty years, where he engaged in the lumber business, and came to Wisconsin about 1865, again engaging in the handling of lumber. The greater part of his life passed in the lumber woods of Michigan and Wisconsin, and for ten years he was in the employ of the Goodyear Lumber Company, of Marathon county, and had the entire supervision of the large interests of that company. His services were of the greatest value to the company, and his judgment displayed in the handling of the men under his supervision was remarkable. He was liked by all with whom he came in contact, and had an ease of manner when dealing with employer the employee alike. He purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Plainville township in the spring of 1885, on which he erected commodious and substantial dwellings and barns, and otherwise improved the property. The land was cleared for cultivation and the farm furnishes an ideal home. In 1860 our subject was married to Sybil Carter, daughter of Lyman S. Carter, of Dell Prairie, Wisconsin. They lived together until 1878, when she died at the age of thirty-six years. They had no children. Our subject was married, April 24, 1879, to Lottie L. Atcherson, daughter of Thomas H. and Lorenda (Stoddard) Atcherson, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Mrs. Sperbeck's parents came to Wisconsin in 1855 locating at Plainville, Adams county, where her father was known as one of the most progressive farmers of the vicinity. He died suddenly April 7, 1885, and was buried at Plainville. The mother of Mrs. Sperbeck still survives, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. M. G. Sperbeck, of Plainville. She is remarkably active, although she has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, and is in the full enjoyment of her physical and mental faculties, and is even able to read without the aid of glasses. Two children were born to a Mr. And Mrs. Sperbeck, as follows: Alva, born May 27, 1880; and Fred, born April 8, 1883. Both are at home and are gaining a liberal education. Mrs. Sperbeck resided on the homestead, and for the past seven years has had charge of the post office of Plainville. Mr. Sperbeck's death was caused by heart disease, and occurred August 24, 1888, aged fifty-four years. He had just reached the meridian of life and was preparing to enjoy his declining years when the fatal stroke came. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, which order conducted his burial, members attending form the lodges at Tomah, Sparta and Kilbourn. He had taken the Knight Templar degree, was a member of the Consistory, and was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He lived an honorable and upright life, and had a host of friends, who mourned his death and felt a personal sense of loss.Transcribed by Robert Schieber
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