Springer, John M, 1905 Bio, Gunnison County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/gunnison/bios/sprngrjm.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- John M. Springer The cattle industry when viewed in all its ramifications and immensity , is one of the modern wonders of the world. It employs the brain and brawn of thousands of men, women and children, many of them among the foremost business minds of the age. In the number of those who aid its conduct and development in an individual way John M. Springer, of near Newcastle, Garfield county, is entitled to honorable mention as one who conducts his share of the gigantic enterprise in a manner and with a capacity that give him success and prosperity for himself and enlarge the usefulness of the industry in his section in a potential magnitude. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on May 30, 1840, and is the son of John and Mary (Strait) Springer, natives of New York state, who settled early in Ohio and afterward removed to Iowa, where they prospered as farmers and raised some stock too, in a small way. The father was a sterling Democrat in political faith and gave his party good service on all occasions, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. They had a family of seven children, but three of whom are living, John M. Philander, a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Lucy (Mrs. Louis Montgomery), of Jennings, Kansas. Mr. Springer enjoyed only the limited educational advantages which are the lot of country boys who have no resource in this respect but the public schools, and he had also their usual experience of hard work on the farm. He remained with his parents and worked in their interest until he was twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in independent farm work in Iowa until 1868, when he moved to Nebraska City, where he passed two years teaming on the streets. In 1870 he came to Colorado and located at Mt. Vernon, fourteen miles west of Denver. Here he bought a timber claim, on which he labored one year in the way of improvement, then moved on to Gunnison county, where he engaged in various occupations, among them selling goods and freighting. He next settled in the vicinity of Newcastle, taking up a squatter's right on Divide creek, where after the survey was made he proved up on as pre- emption claim. He made all required improvements and started a cattle industry and did general ranching. In 1902 he disposed of this ranch to Al. Robinson and then purchased the ranch on which he now lives. This comprises twenty-three acres and is devoted chiefly to raising cattle, although some general farm products are also raised, such as hay, grain, vegetables and small fruits. The ranch is two miles and a half west of Newcastle and is well watered so far as necessity requires. Mr. Springer is an unwavering Democrat, and always aids materially in the campaigns of his party. On November 1, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Roasmond A. Smith, a sister of William L. Smith, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. She was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, on October 15, 1847. They have one child, Jennie, now the wife of Al. Robinson, of South Canyon, Garfield county. Mr. Springer is a loyal citizen of this state, devoted to its interests, strong in his faith in its future, and well satisfied with its present conditions for residence and business. And as it has been a child of his earnest solicitude, so it has not only rewarded his labor with substantial success, but has enshrined him in the regard and good will of its people as one of his county's most useful and representative citizens. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.