Francis Springer

SPRINGER, COLEMAN

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/24/2021 at 10:16:02

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, October 6, 1898
Page 1

Judge Francis Springer, our friend, admired, respected and loved by all, passed quietly and gently into the deep, mysterious eternity last Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at the ripe old age of more than 87 years. The end had been expected for days, but when it was announced only then did we begin to feel our loss.

Judge Springer, with unusual God-given capabilities, which he made earnest use of, occupied during his life a position that history will record but for few men. He came to this part of the county just at the time when strong, sturdy men were needed, and he did faithfully and well his remarkable work in the development and organization of our state and county in every official position of trust, he met his duties manfully and performed them thoroughly and honestly. Francis Springer was born in Maine, April 15, 1811, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. M. Letts, Sunday afternoon, October 2, 1898. His father, Nathaniel Springer, of Swedish descent, and whose father was a Revolutionary hero, was a shipbuilder by occupation. Hid mother was a member of a New England family. At the age of 11 he went to live with a farmer's family in New Hampshire, with home he spent ten years. When he was 18, he attended the fall term of the Rochester academy, and obtained from his receptor a certificate for teaching. That winter he taught his first term of school, receiving $10 per month and "boarded around."

Following this, he did more studying and teaching, until in 1834, he returned to Portland, Maine, and began to read law with William Goodenow. During this time he was partially occupied with the duties of assistant editor of the Portland Courier.

In 1834 he was admitted to the bar. A strong inclination for the west took possession of Mr. Springer, and in the fall of the same year he was admitted to the bar, he came to Burlington, in company with Edward H. Thomas, another young lawyer. After a few days stay in that place, they came to Wapello, where they permanently located. Mr. Springer's ability was at once recognized, and he very soon began to attain prominence in public matters. In 1840 and again in 1842, he was elected a member of the territorial ?. In 1846 he was sent by the people to the state senate for four years from the district composed of Louisa and Washington counties.

In 1848 and again in 1859 he was appointed special agent of the post office department, his duties being to visit the post offices of Wisconsin and and to transfer the money in those offices to St. Louis. In May, 1851, President Fillmore appointed him register of the United States Land office at Fairfield, and he served in this position two years. In the fall of '53 he moved to Columbus City township, taking rooms with ? By 1854 he had ? on his farm, afterwards ? as the Morgan farm, into ? to his farm south of Columbus city, now know as the Hilt Letts farm.

In 1854 he was chosen prosecuting attorney for this county and on the death of Judge Wright Williams, he became judge by virtue of his office. In 1855 he was elected to this position. But it was the following yer that gave to Judge Springer his crowning honor, when he was elected a member of the constitutional convention, and that most honorable body, during his absence and without his consent, made him their president. In 1868 he was elected judge of the district court, and was re-elected in '62 and '66. In '69 General Grant appointed him collector of internal revenues, which office he held until 1877. Honored above his fellowmen in the number and the high positions of public life to which he was called, Francis Springer fulfilled the duties of his trusts to the fullest measure, such as few men could have done.

In December, 1842, Judge Springer was married to Miss Nancy R. Coleman, of Iowa city, a woman of beautiful character. To them were born eight children six sons and two daughters. Two of the sons died in infancy and one daughter died when 2 years old. Another Warren was drowned in the Iowa river near this place in ? while out hunting with John Reiner. He was 18 years old at the time of his death.

Of the other sons, Frank and Charles reside in New Mexico. Arthur lives in Texas and is the present republican candidate for Congress from his district. The daughter is Mrs. H. M. Letts of this place. All the children were home for the funeral, though Arthur came too late so see his father alive. Paragraph missing. The last day he was out was the third fay of the fair here, but he had been bedfast only about two weeks. The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock form the home of H. M. Letts, conducted by Rev. Fouse, assisted by Rev. Drew.

During the services "father" T. S. Parvin of Cedar Rapids, who had been a friend of the judge for over 60 years gave a short address, very touching, dwelling on his noble character his worth as a friend, and his wonderful work in the development of his loved Iowa. Hon. D. N. Sprauge of Wapello, another old-time friend of Mr. Springer, also gave a short address, impressively speaking of Judge Springer as a man of high ability and attainment and of earnest integrity. The quartet, composed of Mrs. Hall, Miss Annetta Wilcox and Messrs McKee and James Sprauge, sang ? beautiful anthems. The pall bearers were A. M. Antrobus and W. C. McArthur of Burlington, D. N. Sprague, John Hale and L. A. Reiley of Wapello and C. A. Carpenter of this place.

The remains were laid in their last earthly resting place in the cemetery at Columbus city, at the very spot which the judge had long ago selected beside his beloved wife. This was one of the most largely attended funerals ever held in this county. Among those present from outside were A. M. Antrobus and W. C. McArthur, Burlington; T. S. Parvin, Cedar Rapids; John Hale, J. S. Kelly and wife, S. B. Cleaver, H. Christie, Ed Hicklin, M. A, Kelley, C. J. Ives, S. F. Small, W. S. Grimes, S. H. Archibald, D. N. Sprauge, J. D. Barr, Will Colton and L. A. Reiley, Wapello; J. P. Walker, Grandview and Isaac Mitchell, Letts.

As an evidence of the loss that Judge Springer's death was to the state, the flags on the capitol building at Des Moines were hung yesterday at half-mast. Charles Aldrich, one of the prominent men at Des Moines, this writes of Mr. Springer: "Judge Springer, so eminent in early Iowa, was one of the strong pillars of the state, and will long be remembered for his pure, upright and useful life." And so the grand men of the past are one by one leaving the responsibilities of this worked on younger shoulders. Judge Springer's earthly work is done, and the world is better for his having lived.