George Niles Sperry
George Niles Sperry was born more than 127 years ago on June 27th, 1892, in Marshallville, Georgia, to his Father Charles Augustus Sperry and Mother, Elizabeth Allen Elliott Morris...
** Interesting events that occurred around the World during Mr. Sperrys birth year of 1892 included...
• On January 1st, 1892 Ellis Island becomes the reception center for new immigrants entering the United States... It would go on to be the gateway for more than 12 million people.
• On January 29th, 1892 the Coca-Cola Company is incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia.
• On June 7th, 1892 New Orleans resident Homer Plessy (Who is black) is arrested for sitting on a whites-only train car in Louisiana leading to the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson court case....The Supreme Court would ultimately rule against Plessy by upholding Louisiana's "Separate but equal " law.
• On August 4th, 1892 the father and stepmother of Lizzie Borden are found murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home.
• On October 12th, 1892 the Pledge of Allegiance is first recited in United States public schools marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day.
• On October 31st, 1892 the first collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories from The Strand Magazine, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes$, is published in London.
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Tonight's honoree George Niles Sperry was the fourth of five children born to his Mother and Father. He had three older Brothers ( Charles Augustus Junior, Marcus Elliott, and William Lumpkin Sperry as well as a younger Sister Annette Ophelia.
George's Father Charles Augustus supported his family in a variety of ways including that of an insurance agent, farmer, and railroad clerk !!
According to Federal census records from the year 1910 we find the Sperry family having relocated from the Peach State of Georgia to the Sunshine State of Florida. ( Census from 1910 in comments below )
As a man in his 20s George works as a life insurance salesman before along with his older Brother Charles Augustus, registers for the draft in 1917 during the heart of the First World War... George's service to his Country would officially begin on August 5th, 1917 and in less than 2 years he would achieve the rank of First Lieutenant until being discharged on February 27th, 1919 after the wars end... Sadly his Brother
After returning to civilian life, George continues to work as a salesman and at the age of 36 marries Tennessee native Lou Dell Modlin in Duval, Florida on July 3rd, 1928.. Together the couple would have single Son whom they would name William...
In 1935 George would purchase a thriving filling station and grocery store in order to support his modest family.
While at home on Monday evening January the 16th 1939 at 6 p.m. George fell, striking his head on a "Barrel" and was rushed to St Joseph's hospital where he would ultimately succumb to his injuries. He was 46 years, 6 months, and 19 days old.
George Niles Sperry... Beloved Husband, Father and Patriotic Veteran of the First World War...