Henry Mathias Springman (1856-1935)

SPRINGMAN, JACKSON, JOHNSON, GARMAN, BEST, KLEPPINGER, BENDER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/2/2024 at 21:23:10

From Story City Herald May 9, 1935 (page 1)

HENRY SPRINGMAN DIED SATURDAY

Funeral of Well Known Lafayette Township Man Was Held on Tuesday

Henry M. Springman, for over half a century a resident of Lafayette township, died the home of his son John last Saturday following a stroke which he suffered a couple days before.

He was about 78 1/2 years old and had always enjoyed rugged health up until a few years ago when diabetes made itself manifest. Mrs. Springman died in 1917, and he is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Martin Johnson, and son, John.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, with Rev. Fuller and Rev. Wendel officiating, and interment was mad eon the family lot in Center cemetery. The singing was by a male quartet consisting of Orin Dickinson, Geo. Sowers, Wm. Peterson and Arnold Anderson, with Vernon Anderson at the piano. The pall bearers were Frank Heers, Jas. Smith, Matt Oswald, George Baldus, Chas. Tressler and J. C. Johnson.

The following were present at the funeral from a distance: George Springman, Mrs. Mary Best, Mrs. Salinda Kleppinger, brother and sisters of the deceased from Freeport, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Garman, Mr. and Mrs. George Eller, Mrs. Adam Zimmerman, Mrs. Oscar Ohlendorff, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Altoff, all of Freeport; Clarence Springman of Cedarville, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Phillips of McConnell, Ill.; Mrs. Nettie Yoder and Grover of Woolstock.

Obituary

The following obituary was read at the service by Rev. Fuller:

Henry Mathias Springman, son of Mathias and Magdalena Springman, was born Dec. 2, 1856, at Cedarville, Ill. He grew to young manhood in that place. He was married to Sarah Eda Jackson on November 18, 1880, moving to Iowa in a covered wagon the following spring and settling on the Springman farm in Lafayette township, where the balance of his life was, with a brief intermission, spent.

He took his place among the pioneers in building up his farm site as it is today. Into this home were born two children, Mrs. Mary Johnson and John J. Springman, both of whom survive their father and live in this community.

Mr. Springman transferred his membership in the Evangelical church at Cedarville to the congregation which met at the Center school house. Later it was transferred when the Center appointment was discontinued to the Grace church in Story City, and he held official positions at both places such as Sunday school superintendent, steward and trustee. His home was often the stopping place of the pioneer circuit rider. He was also active in community affairs of all worthwhile things.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, 1917, his companion preceded him in death, his own departure coming on Saturday, May 4, 1935, at the old home farm where he had lived for a number years with his son John. His age at death was 78 years, 5 months and 2 days. Besides his children he is survived by four grandchildren and on great grandchild.

Of the seven Springman children reaching maturity he is the first to break the family circle. Of the six remaining the oldest was unable to be present due to a fractured hip. The surviving brothers and sisters with their ages are, John D. of Cedarville, age 88; Mrs. Catharine Garman of Cedarville, age 85; Mrs. Mary Best, Freeport, age 82; Mrs. Salinda Kleppinger, Freeport, age 75; George Springman of Freeport, age 72, and Mrs. Della Bender of of Dazey, N. D., age 67. Also there is a large circle of relatives, friends and neighbors who will miss him now that he is gone.