Edward H. Springer Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1306-1307 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	EDWARD H. SPRINGER, whose death occurred January 31, 1904, a 
native of Washington county, Maine, was born May 20, 1844, and grew to 
maturity on a farm, receiving his education in the public schools and 
when old enough to begin life for himself he engaged in agriculture and 
the lumber business, in connection with which he also operated a sawmill 
for a considerable length of time. He continued to reside in his native 
state until the fall of 1875, when he disposed of his interests there 
and went west, locating at Virginia City, Nevada, where he remained 
until the spring of 1877, devoting about nine months of the time to 
running a livery stable for another party, the balance of the interim 
being devoted to mining in various parts of the country. In May of the 
latter year he started for the Black Hills and, arriving at Deadwood on 
the 20th day of the month, immediately went to work excavating a site 
for a mill, which being finished, he helped build the mill, one of the 
first enterprises of the kind in that part of the territory. Later he 
secured a position in a mill at Black Tail, but after continuing for 
some time in that capacity, resigned and started a boarding house in the 
same town, which he ran until the spring of 1878, when he went to Lead 
City and engaged in the same line of business, renting a large log 
building which in a short time became a popular resort for the traveling 
public, to say nothing of its large and lucrative local patronage. 

	While proprietor of this establishment, Mr. Springer did a 
thriving business, as it was the largest boarding house in the place at 
the time, and the influx of travelers and settlers was so great as to 
tax it to its utmost capacity to provide entertainment. He received 
liberal compensation for his accommodations and some idea of the 
magnitude of his patronage may be learned from the fact that within two 
months after opening the house he succeeded in saving enough from his 
earnings to erect a large hotel of his own. The latter, which was the 
first building in Lead City, especially designed for hotel purposes, 
stood near the property of the Homestake Mining Company, and he 
subsequently sold it to the managers of that enterprise and, purchasing 
a lot on Main street, then in the outskirts of the town, but now in the 
principal business part of the city, put up another public house, which 
he conducted with most gratifying success until the year 1886, when he 
disposed of it for a handsome sum. 

	Meantime, 1880, Mr. Springer purchased land on Bear Butte creek, 
which he converted into a large and valuable ranch still in his 
possession, and on which he has since been engaged in the live-stock 
business, making a specialty of cattle raising. After selling his city 
property in 1886, he moved his family to the ranch and here he has made 
his home ever since, prosecuting his business the meanwhile with success 
and profit until he was recognized as one of the leading live-stock men 
in his part of the state. also ranking with the most enterprising and 
public-spirited citizens of the Black Hills. Mr. Springer was not 
sparing in the matter of improvements, becoming the owner of one of the 
finest ranches in the country, the buildings on which and other 
evidences of prosperity bespoke the home of a man of energy, thrift and 
progressive ideas, who believed in using the good things of this world 
to wise and commendable purposes. He provided comfortably for those 
dependent upon him, was liberal in his benefactions to all worthy 
enterprises and, as already stated, gave his countenance and support to 
the material development of his section of the country, besides lending 
his influence to whatever tended to the moral welfare of the community 
in which he lived. In politics he was a straight-out Republican of the 
most orthodox type and an active party worker, and but few conventions 
were held in his township and county in which he did not appear as a 
delegate. Mr. Springer was a close and intelligent observer, a wide 
reader and his influence as a leader in public as well as political 
affairs was duly recognized and appreciated by his fellow citizens, 
among all of whom he was held in high personal regard. He was encouraged 
and ably assisted in his business by the estimable companion and 
helpmeet to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock on January 12, 
1873. Mrs. Springer, like her husband, is a native of Maine, having been 
born and reared in Dranforth, that state, under the maiden name of 
Jennie Hodnett. Inheriting the sturdy and amiable qualities, 
characteristic of her New England ancestry, she has performed well her 
part in life, and since coming west she has won a warm and permanent 
place in the esteem and confidence of the large circle of friends with 
whom she associates.