Wellknown Resident of

Cottonwood Township

Succumbs to Cancer at

His Farm Home.

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COUNTY COMMISSIONER

FOR PAST FIVE YEARS

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Also Held Other Public,

Corporation and Society Offices.

— Funeral Was Monday.

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The death of Joseph J. Sperl, well known resident of Cottonwood township for many years occurred at his farm home there, last Thursday evening at 7:30 o’clock. It was caused by cancer of the esophagus, and he had been ailing since last June, although confined to his bed but a week prior to his demise.

Was County Commissioner

Mr. Sperl represented the First commissioner district of Brown county on the county board for the past five years, rendering faithful, conscientious and efficient service throughout his incumbency. He also held other public, corporation and society offices, serving as town clerk of Cottonwood from 1901 until assuming his duties as county commissioner in 1921, and was clerk of the school district for 23 years. At the time of his demise, Mr. Sperl was vice president of the New Ulm Rural Telephone Co. and the Stark Farmers Mutual Insurance Co., and president of the New Ulm Farmers Elevator Co. He was a charter member and secretary of the St. John’s society at Searles, and also held membership in St. Patrick Council, K. of C., St. John Court, C. O. F., and the St. Joseph and St. Anthony societies of New Ulm.

Born in Town Ridgely

Deceased was past 56 years of age, having been born in Ridgely township, Nicollet county, October 12, 1869. When a lad of about seven years, he removed to Cottonwood township, Brown county, with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Anton Sperl. In 1891, Mr. Sperl purchased a bottling works at St. James, after having worked at that trade in St. Peter for a number of years. Three years later, he disposed of the business and returned to the old homestead in Cottonwood township, which had since been his abode. The present townsite of Searles was platted from a part of the Sperl homestead.

Leaves 13 Children

On June 12, 1894, Mr. Sperl was married to Miss Lena Gall at the Catholic church in St. James. This union was blessed with 13 children, all of whom survive. They are: Anton Sperl, at home; Mrs. Arthur Roth, New Ulm; John Sperl, Madelia; Mrs. Elsie Smith, Minneapolis; Joseph Sperl, Jr., Cottonwood township; Mrs. Joseph Marka, New Ulm; Wenzel and Andrew Sperl, Cottonwood township, and Mary, Anna, Genevieve, Leona and Lucinia, at home. Deceased also leaves one grandchild, as well as three brothers and one sister, namely,George Sperl, Hanska; Mrs. Peter Fischer, St. Paul; Stanis. Sperl, Kerkhoven, this state, and Otto Sperl, New Ulm. Funeral services were conducted at St. John’s Catholic church in Searles, Monday morning at 9 o’clock, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery there.

Brown County Journal,

March 12, 1926

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