Springer, Oliver

SPRINGER, BATCHELDOR, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 06:30:04

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 530:

"OLIVER SPRINGER, a prosperous and enterprising citizen of Bloomington Township, living on section 19, was born in Schenectady County, New York, March 30, 1834, a son of B. O. and Eliza (Batcheldor) Springer. He was the third in a family of eight children, and when he was three years of age his parents settled in Darke County, Ohio, and there he spent his youth in assisting his father with the work of the farm, his education being obtained in the common schools of that county. In January, 1855, he came to Decatur County, Iowa, remaining here till the following May, when he returned to Darke County, Ohio, and September 18, 1855, he returned, in company with his father's family, to Decatur County, making the journey by teams, they locating on section 1, Bloomington Township, where our subject remained till the breaking out of the late war. He enlisted in July, 1862, in the Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and after participating in the engagements at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post his regiment was detailed to guard prisoners to Camp Douglass, Chicago. He was honorably discharged in February, 1863, at St. Louis, Missouri. Previous to this, in 1861, he was a member of Colonel Edwards' State Troops, and with his regiment marched to St. Joe, but had no engagements. Mr. Springer was married September 17, 1863, to Miss Maximilla Johnson, who was born in Madison County, Ohio, a daughter of James B. and Elizabeth Johnson. To them were born nine children -- Churchill, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, James M., John A., Joseph, Rachel and Maximilla. Mr. Springer has resided on his present farm since February, 1864, having entered his land in the fall of 1855, this being one of the first farms improved in the neighborhood. To his original 160 acres Mr. Springer has added by subsequent purchases till he now has 400 acres, all of which is under improvement and highly cultivated. He has a good residence, and commodious barn and out-buildings for his stock, and a fine orchard. In connection with his general farming he devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding stock, in which he is meeting with success. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He was a member of the Township Board that organized the township, including Fayette, in company with F. M. Scott and John Mercer. He was township clerk six years, and has also served as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a comrade of Leon Post, G. A. R. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)