California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 PROF. J. N. SPROUSE. Occupying a foremost position among the educational institutions of the San Joaquin valley is the Fresno Business College, of which Prof. J. N. Sprouse is the owner and proprietor. When he came to Fresno in 1897 he was for a time connected with the institution as principal of its commercial department, but resigned in 1898 and opened Sprouse's Commercial College. Two years later he purchased the Fresno Business College and consoli- dated the two institutions, which he has since successfully conducted, having now an annual enrollment of more than two hundred students in the stenographic and commercial departments. At the time he purchased the college its enrollment was small and its indebtedness large, but under his energetic and judicious management debts have been paid, and the college occupies well-lighted, commodious quarters, equal to any business college on the coast. The six rooms utilized by the college are furnished neatly and comfortably, and supplied with all of the neces- sary equipment for work. While a majority of the students are from Fresno, there are also many from different parts of the entire valley. Positions are secured for students when they have reached a point in their studies where they can be recommended for accurate and reliable work, and such has been the demand for clerical help that a large majority of the students leave before graduation to accept remunerative situations. In the shorthand department the Pitman system is taught, and graduates are prepared to take positions as private secretaries, amanuen- ses, stenographic law clerks and court reporters. Many of the stenographers now holding posi- tions in Fresno received their training in the college under the conscientious and efficient in- struction of Mrs. Olive J. Sprouse, principal of the shorthand and typewriting department. A recent innovation is a course in advertising, a new business, offering golden opportunities to those who master it now. An expert advertiser has been secured by the college, who instructs the regular students in the science of advertising without extra cost to the pupils, except the cost of necessary stationery. Near Mount Vernon, Ill., Prof. J. N. Sprouse was born September 30, 1867, being the eldest child of Rev. David and Millie (York) Sprouse. His father, who was a native of Ohio, in an early day accompanied his parents to Illinois and settled on a farm in Jefferson county, where he grew to manhood. During the Civil war he was a member of an Illinois regiment and fought in the memorable battle of Shiloh and the siege of Vicksburg. On his return from the army he took up farm pursuits, but also gave much time and attention to the work of a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. From Illinois in 1876 he removed to Kansas and settled on a farm in Butler county, where he remained for some years. Since retiring from active cares he has made his home at Southwest City, Mo. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. His wife, who was born near Nashville, Tenn., grew to womanhood in Kentucky and is still living. Of their five children, three are living, J. N. being the only one on the Pacific coast. He was nine years of age when the family settled in Kansas and afterward aided in the clear- ing of the home farm, also attended the high school at Chetopa, of which he is a graduate. In 1891 he taught a term of school, after which he studied for a year in Park College at Park- ville, Mo., later taking a course in the Wichita Commercial College, from which he was gradu- ated in 1893. Later he taught in the commercial department of Soule College until 1897, when he came to Fresno and has since been identified with educational work in this city. The school of which he is the head is located on the corner of J and Tulare streets. In Fresno Professor Sprouse married Miss Jennie Sumner, who was born at Gold Hill, Nev., and came to California with her father, John M. Sumner, a pioneer rancher in Central Colony, Fresno county. In religious connections Mrs. Sprouse is a Presbyterian. The fam- ily residence stands three-quarters of a mile from Fresno, where Prof. Sprouse bought twenty acres of raw land and planted it in raisins, peaches and figs. Since coming to this city he has been initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Republican in politics, he is, however, not a partisan, and has not identified himself with political affairs.