Roscoe D. Sparrow was born on November 17, 1840, in Orland, Maine, to Joshua Sparrow and Judith Gross. His father was a sailor who owned $2,000 of real estate by 1850. He grew up and attended school in Orland.

 

He enlisted in the Union army on October 11, 1862, and he mustered in as a corporal in Company H of the 26^th Maine Infantry. He expressed war weariness in February 1863, telling a friend that, if his father “was here and had to fare as we do he would lose some of his patriotism.” He blamed “Office Seekers” for prolonging the war. “As long as rich men’s influence prevail[s],” he explained, “and men & money can be obtained so long will this war last.” The regiment took part in the siege of Port Hudson, and he mustered out on August 17, 1863. On September 30, 1864, he became an acting ensign in the United States Navy, and he served aboard the USS Western World. He remained in the navy until September 18, 1865.

 

He returned to Orland after leaving the army, and he earned a living as a mariner. He married Flora Keyes on November 9, 1869, and their son DeForest was born around 1870. He applied for a federal pension in August 1877 and eventually secured one. He died of “congestion of [the] kidneys” in Orland on April 30, 1892.

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