My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Thomas Springer is one of the most highly respected farmers of this county. A native of Alabama, he was born in 1839, being reared and educated in Tennessee. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Gaines) Springer, were Virginians by birth, and the former died in 1864 in Mississippi. Pennil Springer, the grandfather, came from Virginia to Alabama when a child, being among the first settlers of that State; the country at that time was so sparsely settled that it was necessary to go forty miles to mill. The mother died in Tennessee, in 1851. The parents of our subject moved from Alabama to Tennessee, rearing their family in the latter State, then going to Mississippi, where John Springer died four years later. His wife, Betsey Springer, was a native of Tennessee. They had nine children, six of whom are now living. Thomas Springer, the fourth child, has had four wives since reaching manhood. The first wife died, leaving no children; his second wife bore two: Mary E. (wife of James Laforce) and John. To the third marriage six children were born, five of whom are now living: Janie (wife of Hugh Black), Daniel and William, Martha and Mathew; and three children were the result of the fourth marriage: Susie B., Jacob and James. In 1882 Mr. Springer moved from Tennessee to his present home, where he owns 240 acres of valuable land having 100 under cultivation. He is considered among the most successful farmers of this section of Arkansas. During the war he served eighteen months in the Confederate service, and took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Corinth and many other engagements. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Springer are useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and have the respect of a large circle of acquaintances.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 40 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Faulkner County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Faulkner County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Faulkner County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.