Searching for descendants of Thomas B. Sparks on 1850 census. I think he may be a relative of Mathew Sparks who married Mary Ann Phillips Southard in Alexander Co., IL in 1838. Mathew died before 1841 when Mary Ann migrated to Madison Co. Family legend has it that Sampson, or Samuel, Sparks was half-brother to August Marion Sparks, son of Mary Ann and Mathew. Sam... operated a sorghum mill near Carpenter. Hardy Sparks is thought to also be related to August M. Sparks. Joann Southard Reitz