My Genealogy Hound

ALONZO B. SPRINGER, a highly respected citizen of Cortland, is one of the best representatives of the intelligent agricultural class of Cortland County; in his chosen calling he was successful far beyond the ordinary farmer, and so was enabled, before he was enfeebled by age, to retire from active work, and enjoy in peace and plenty the sunset years of life. In 1869 he sold his farm, and in 1870 removed to the village of Cortland, where he bought the Mark Holton residence at No. 43 Union St. To satisfy his ideas of convenience and utility, he caused the house to be reconstructed, remodeling and enlarging it throughout, and changing it into a handsome double house. What is more attractive even than the house are the beautiful gardens and the lawn, which are especially the pride of its owner. Mr. Springer loves out of door life, and attends to all of the gardening about the house, and it is safe to say that the Springer lawn, enhanced in beauty as it is with well-trimmed shrubbery and graceful shade trees, is second to none in the village. Many residents of Cortland, who have lawns that are not quite equal to Mr. Springer’s, have begged him to give to their own grounds the same finished and attractive appearance that is so present a feature of his own. In addition to this home, Mr. Springer also owns a tenement on Squires St.

Our subject was born in Sempronius, now Niles, Cayuga County, N. Y., April 12, 1821, and is therefore well advanced in years. His father, Benjamin Springer, was born in Rhode Island, and served as a private in the War of 1812. He settled in Cayuga County with its early, pioneer families, and grew up with the new country, becoming well-to-do and possessed of a comfortable competence. He was an upright citizen, conscientious in the performance of the great and small duties of life, and was regarded as a man of influence and power in the community, who was always sure to be found on the side of truth and sound morality. His life spanned eighty-four years, while his wife, Cynthia (Brown) Springer, lived to be eighty-seven. Their children were: Desire; Alonzo B.; Job; Sarah Ann, who died in childhood; Charlotte; Durphy; and Lucy, who did not live to grow up.

Alonzo B. Springer received a district school education, and when he grew to manhood naturally adopted the calling of a farmer, and followed agricultural pursuits. For many years he was located near Skaneateles, Onondaga County, but after he married, he bought a farm at Glen Haven, the property being partly located in Cortland County, and partly in Cayuga County, but the buildings were in the former county in Scott township. There he carried on farming until 1870, improving the land, reconstructing the buildings, and making such changes and alterations that his farm came to be recognized as a superior piece of property, and in many of its features was second to none in the township. Mr. Springer built up a fine reputation as a successful business man and enterprising citizen, and while a resident of the township served eight years as its assessor, and officiated as justice of the peace two years and a half. He has always been loyal in his allegiance to the Republican party, and has seen much of the practical side of politics. The New York Tribune has been a regular visitor at his household for nearly fifty years, and this shows, as few other things can, how well posted he is in all the current history of the period. Since living in Cortland village he has served eight years as street commissioner.

Mr. Springer was united in marriage with Lucy Sweatland, daughter of Nathaniel Sweatland, and to them the following children were born: Charles, who only lived to be eighteen months old; Ella, who married Irvin Price, a farmer of Cortland, and has borne him three children, Lena, Anna and Charles; George, who died when fifteen years old; Lillie, deceased, aged thirteen years; Cora, who married William Newell of La Fayette, Onondaga County, and has a family of two children, Ralph and Mabel; Joy, who died in childhood; and Thomas, who is also deceased. Mr. Springer is a member of the M. E. Church, while his wife continues to be an attendant of the Congregational Church.