Person Record

Metadata

Name

Spragge, George

Othernames

John G. Spragge

Born

1858

Birthplace

Owen Sound, Grey County, Canada West

Places of residence

Town of Owen Sound
284 Bay Street
105 Bay Street /1159 3rd Avenue East, Owen Sound, Grey County

Father

John Crooke Spragge (J. C. Spragge) d. 1

Mother

Mariah/Maria Spragge (nee Marsh) d. 1907

Nationality

Canadian

Notes

Circa 1891, John George Spragge (usually known as George) was a drygoods clerk in Owen Sound. He eventually became a merchant. An 1894 mercantile directory listed a general store called "Priest & Spragge" at Owen Sound, as being established in 1890. In the 1892 Rutherford's Directory, the business was situated at 17 Poulett Street. In the 1902-1904 Vernon's directory, he was still with Priest & Spragge. In 1909, Poulett Street was renamed as 2nd Ave. East.

His business partner was Arthur C. Priest.

The 1906 section of Melba Croft's book, GROWTH OF A COUNTY TOWN transcribed the following information:
"PRIEST & SPRAGGE have been in business for 34 years in the same place. John G. Spragge and Arthur C. Priest opened partnership 15 years ago following Mr. Spragge's earlier grocery business. Mr. Spragge was born in Owen Sound. Mr. Priest came from England 28 years ago. They offer the finest staple and fancy groceries."

His business is not listed in the 1913 Malone's directory of Owen Sound.

His sisters, Miss Maud Spragge and Miss E. A. Spragge and Mrs. John Robinson (nee Spragge) belonged to the Angelica Shakespeare Club of Owen Sound and are shown in photograph 1995.015.001 in the Grey County archives.

There is also a photograph of an invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Spragge (George & May), inviting them to the Cricket Club Ball at Owen Sound. See 1986.002.003. Another photograph of an invitation is for a Masquerade Ball at Owen Sound's Town Hall (see 1986.002.006).

1988.007.077 & 078 are two images that show the former J. G. & May Spragge residence on 3rd Ave. East (known as Bay Street prior to 1909).

John G. Spragge passed away at his home on October 18, 1932. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery. His wife May passed away in ___.

In 2014, the former Spragge residence at 1159 is still in situ at 3rd Avenue East.

Occupation

Grocer / Groceries / Merchant / Businessman
Grocery Store, "Priest & Spragge"

Publications

-THE LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE (Mercantile Agency of Canada, 1894 (Owen Sound section)
-Croft, Melba Morris, GROWTH OF A COUNTY TOWN (1906 section), p. 84, re Priest & Spragge