For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 532
HENRY T. SPRINGMEIER....Henry T. Springmeier, who is busily engaged in the operation of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fulton township, finds agricultural pursuits both profitable and congenial. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 21st of November, 1862, his parents being J. H. and Katherine ( Heckle ) Springmeier, both of whom are natives of Germany. They were married in Scott county, this state, and took up their abode in the town of Buffalo, where Mr. Springmeier worked at the cobbler's trade for a few years. He then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits purchasing the farm of ninety acres in Scott county which has remained his place continuously since. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and ten acres of highly improved and valuable land. He has attained the age of eighty years and is spending the evening of life in well earned ease. His wife is sixty-nine years old. They reared a family of eight children, as follows : Henry T., of this review ; Laura, Bertha, Sophia, Mary and Caroline, all of whom are residents of Scott county, Edward, who makes his home in Minnesota ; and Victoria, living in Scott county.Henry T. Springmeier remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Starting out upon an independent career, he purchased eighty acres of land in Fulton township, Muscatine county, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. His holdings at the present time include one hundred and sixty acres and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. With an apptitude for successful management, he has so directed his affairs that most gratifying results have followed and today he ranks among the progressive agriculturists of Fulton township.
On the 12th of April, 1887, Mr. Springmeier was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Schlapkohl, a native of Scott county and a daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Deitz ) Schlapkohl, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in Scott county, Iowa, and lived on rented land for a few years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Schlapkohl purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, operating the same successfully until called to his final rest in March, 1884. His widow continued to reside on the farm for several years after his death and then went to live with her son at Stockton, where she still makes her home, having now attained the age of sixty-seven years. She became the mother of nine children, namely :George ; Emma ; Charles ; Mrs. Springmeier ; Lena ; John ; Delia ; Theodore, who was born in July,1878, and passed away in september, 1881 ; and Leonard, living in Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. Springmeier have eight children, as follows : Florence L., whose birth occurred on the 21st of February, 1888 ; Marie A., who was born August 26, 1889 ; Warren A., whose natal day was April 3, 1891 ; George H., whose birth occurred April 27, 1893 ; Adelia E.and Amelia E. twins, who were born on the 28th of June, 1895 ; Gertrude A., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 19th of April, 1900 ; and Helen L., whose birth occurred January 28, 1907.
Mr. Springmeier gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now ably serving as township trustee, having held that office for the past twelve years. The cause of education is benefited by his efforts as a member of the school board, on which he has served for five years. For several terms he likewise did efficient service in the capacity of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Walcott, the Modern Brotherhood of America at Stockton and Pleasant Prairie Grange of Fulton township. He and his family are faithful communicants of the Catholic church. In social circles Mr. and Mrs. Springmeier occupy an enviable position by reason of their estimable qualities of mind and heart and also because of their cooperation in every good work and beneficial movement in which the community is interested.
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