Spring, George H. 1833-1901

SPRING, LANE, MUDGE, FREEMAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/5/2008 at 11:42:19

LeMars Sentinel
September 2, 1901

DEATH OF GEO. H. SPRING

George H. Spring died at his residence on Main street in this city about
five o’clock this morning. He had been in poor health for the past few years
and for twelve months past his physical powers have been failing rapidly. He
suffered from diabetes. Although it was generally known and realized that
the threads of his life were slowly and surely breaking, the news of his
demise came as a shock to the people of this city who have known and
respected him for a period of time extending over a quarter of a century. He
was out of doors last week as usual attending to his affairs and on Thursday
last week went down to the depot to meet his old friends, Mr. and Mrs. B.
Mudge, on their return from a long visit east. He took to his bed on
Saturday from which he never arose, his soul passing calmly and serenely to
the home beyond towards whose goal his lofty aims and pure life were always
directed.

George Hopkins Spring was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 12, 1833.
In 1887 his parents moved to Rock Island, Ill. At that time the trip took
one month and the route between the two points was made by way of the Erie
Canal and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Here he received his early
education and training and grew to man’s estate. In the year 1852, he moved
to Chicago and engaged in the boot and shoe business. Chicago in those days
was a small town no bigger than Sioux City is now. In 1858, Mr. Spring moved
to Manteno, Ill., and engaged in the hardware business. He was united in
marriage in 1868 with Maria E. Lane. Three children were born to them, only
one of whom survives, Mrs. W.H. Freeman, of this city. The two children who
have preceded their father were Leila and George, the latter of whom, a
bright and promising young man will be well remembered by the young people
of the community among whom he was a general favorite.

Mr. and Mrs. Spring came to LeMars about twenty-eight years ago and this has
been their home since. Mr. Spring was among the pioneer business men and
with his brother, W.N. Spring, until a few years ago, when they retired from
active business, conducted a large hardware, furniture and machinery
business.

In his business relations with all men, Geo. Spring was honorable, upright
and fair in his dealing. He was widely known and highly respected. His
nature was gentle and refined and he shrank from inflicting pain or
annoyance on any living creature. He was of an intensely religious
disposition and tried to adopt the teachings of holy writ in his every day
life. He was always in the lead in church and Sunday school work and devoted
a large portion of his time to the furtherance of religious work. For many
years he has been a member of the Congregational church of this city, and at
the time of his death filled the office of deacon, which office he had
occupied for a number of years. He was a life member of the Plymouth County
Bible Society and for more than twenty years has been the treasurer.

George H. Spring was a man who never did a mean act in his life, and never
intentionally wronged anyone or anything. He died in the appreciation of all
men who love the good and the true and has gone to that reward awaiting
those who have ever striven to “do unto others as they would that others
should do unto them.”

The funeral services will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 from the
church. The services will be conducted by Rev. Mr. Kent assisted by Rev. Mr.
Macgogany.