My Genealogy Hound

Allen Springer, merchant and postmaster at Lake City, and a prominent farmer of Buffalo Island, is a native of Indiana, born in Crawford County, of that State, January 4, 1843. His parents, Elihu and Mahulda (Pearson) Springer, both natives of Indiana, were reared and married in that State, and there resided until the death of the former in 1852. Mrs. Springer still survives her husband, who was a prominent farmer and esteemed by all as a worthy citizen of the county. Allen Springer, at his father’s death a boy nine years of age, grew to manhood in his native county, receiving his education at the county schools; and in July of 1861 enlisted in the Indiana Infantry, and served until mustered out at Indianapolis, July 29, 1865. He participated in many engagements, among them Shiloh, Champion’s Hill, siege and surrender of Vicksburg, siege and surrender of Atlanta, was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and his last engagement at Goldsboro. During his entire service he received but one slight wound, at the siege of Vicksburg. He participated in the grand review at Washington, and when peace was restored returned to Indiana, and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers until 1870, when he came to Arkansas. He located in Lee County and there engaged in milling for two years, then went to Howard County, Kas., and farmed one year, then came to Craighead County, Ark., locating on Buffalo Island. Here he followed farming until 1880, when he moved to Lake City, where he continued the same occupation. In 1885 he purchased an established mercantile business, and keeps a good stock of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, implements, etc. At merchandising he has been very successful, doing an annual business of $15,000. He was appointed postmaster in 1888. June 7, 1867, he was united in marriage with Nancy Ellen Walker, a native of Indiana, born and reared in Crawford County. She died in 1886, leaving two children, Samuel E. and Percy, both promising young men. Mr. Springer married his present wife, whose maiden name was Emily Cummings, in December, 1887, in Kearney County, Kas. She is a native of Indiana, and was in childhood a schoolmate of Mr. Springer. She is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Springer owns one farm of 240 acres on Buffalo Island, with 125 acres cleared, and in his home place has 235 acres, with about eighty under cultivation. He has also 200 acres of timbered land. All this property and all that he has, he owes to his own perseverance, industry and excellent management. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and is Master of the Lake City lodge.