Biography of Allen Springer - Craighead Co, AR

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Submitted by: Unknown < >
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 357

Allen Springer, merchant and postmaster at Lake City, and a
prominent farmer of Buffalo Island, is a native of Indiana, born in
Crawford County, of that State, January 4, 1843. His parents, Elihu and
Mahulda (Pearson) Springer, both natives of Indiana, were reared and
married in that State, and there resided until the death of the former in
1852. Mrs. Springer still survives her husband, who was a prominent
farmer and esteemed by all as a worthy citizen of the county. Allen
Springer, at his father's death a boy nine years of age, grew to manhood
in his native county, receiving his education at the county schools; and
in July of 1861 enlisted in the Indiana Infantry, and served until
mustered out at Indianapolis, July 29, 1865. He participated in many
engagements, among them Shiloh, Champion's Hill, siege and surrender of
Vicksburg, siege and surrender of Atlanta, was with Sherman in his
memorable march to the sea, and his last engagement at Goldsboro. During
his entire service he received but one slight wound, at the siege of
Vicksburg. He participated in the grand review at Washington, and when
peace was restored returned to Indiana, and engaged in boating on the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers until 1870, when he came to Arkansas. He
located in Lee County and [p.357] there engaged in milling for two years,
then went to Howard County. Kas., and farmed one year, then came to
Craighead County, Ark., locating on Buffalo Island. Here he followed
farming until 1880, when he moved to Lake City, where he continued the
same occupation. In 1885 he purchased an established mercantile business,
and keeps a good stock of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps,
implements, etc. At merchandising he has been very successful, doing an
annual business of $15,000. He was appointed postmaster in 1888. June 7,
1867, he was united in marriage with Nancy Ellen Walker, a native of
Indiana, born and reared in Crawford County. She died in 1886, leaving
two children, Samuel E. and Percy, both promising young men. Mr. Springer
married his present wife, whose maiden name was Emily Cummings, in
December, 1887, in Kearney County, Kas. She is a native of Indiana, and
was in childhood a schoolmate of Mr. Springer. She is a consistent member
of the Methodist Church. Mr. Springer owns one farm of 240 acres on
Buffalo Island, with 125 acres cleared, and in his home place has 235
acres, with about eighty under cultivation. He has also 200 acres of
timbered land. All this property and all that he has, he owes to his own
perseverance, industry and excellent management. He is a Royal Arch
Mason, and is Master of the Lake City lodge.