The Biographical record of Livingston and ... - University Library

394 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.After his marriage ]Mr. Saemisch locatedon the farm on one liundred acres inLong Point township, wliich he liad purchasedin 1870. At that time it was allwild prairie and swamp land, but he hastiled and drained it, erected good and substantialbuildings, planted an orchard andotherwise improved the place, so that it isnow ijne of the nuist ilesirable farms of itssize in the township. He carries on generalfarming and has met with good success.Religiously Mr. Saemisch is a memberof the Lutheran cinnxh, and, politically, isindependent, voting for the man whom hebelieves best qualified to fill the positionregardless of party lines. He has servedas school director in his district for a numberof terms, and has always faithfully dischargedany duty devolving upon him,whether public or private.XATHAX SPRINGER.In tracing the history of the Springerfamily, of which the subject of this reviewis a worthy representative, it is learned thatthe founder of the branch in the UnitedStates was one Christopher Springer, whowas a native of Germany. He had residedin Sweden jJrevious to his coming to thesehospitable shores, and there had occupieda responsible position. When a little colonyof Swedish people decided to come to thiscountry he joined their ranks, and withthem located on lands near Wilmington,Delaware, and from that point his descendantshave emigrated to all sections of thiscontinent.The paternal grandfather of our subject,Uriah Springer, was born .and reared inVirginia, and at an early day removed tothe wilds of Brown count3\ Ohio. His son,Nathan Springer, Sr., was born on the oldh.omestead. wliich had been cleared in theforest. When he arrived at maturity hechose Lydia Lucas as a wife, and about 1832they removed to \'ermilion county, Illinois,accompanied by their respective parents andfamilies. Mrs. Springer was a native ofBrown county, Ohio, and was a daughterof John Lucas. After tilling the soil inVermilion county for a score of years, NathanSpringer, Sr., came to Livingstoncounty, where his father had taken up alarge tract of land and had become wealthyand influential. He had served in variouslocal positions and was looked up to withrespect by all who knew him. When thedeath summons came to him he was placedto rest in Short Point cemetery, which heliad laid out on his own land, in Amitytownship. From 1853 to 1872, the year ofhis death, Nathan Springer, Sr., was activelyand successfully engaged in farming inLong Point township. He had located ona quarter-section of prairie land, and diligeutlyimproved the place, building a substantialhouse and barn. His devoted wifesur\'ived him nineteen years and for muchof this period she was a member of her son,Nathan's household. The father attainedthe age of three-score and ten, while themother was in her eighty-fifth year whenshe was called to her reward. Both aresleeping their last sleep in Earp cemetery, inAmit}' township.The birth of Nathan Springer, Jr., tookplace in Vermilion county, Illinois, June 9,1845, 'ii'^i liis boyhood was spent in the usualpursuits of country lads. He learned to lovehis native land with the devotion of a truepatriot, and when her stability was threatened,he eagerly responded to the call of the