Biography

Frank Springer, from the pamphlet "Portrait for State," showing Springer's portarit to be mounted at the Des Moines, Iowa historical gallery. (Box 1, Scrapbook).

Frank Springer was born in Wapello, Iowa in 1848. He graduated from the State University of Iowa, and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1869. He moved to New Mexico in 1873 and settled in Cimarron. Springer was elected president of the New Mexico Bar Association in 1890. He achieved his greatest professional success as the attorney for the Maxwell Land Grant Company. He retired from his profession in 1906, turning his attention to scientific study and research. He was twice a member of the legislative council of New Mexico, and also regarded as a top ranked paleontologist with numerous publications to his credit. He was a member of the Archaeological Association of America, and a patron of the School of American Archeology in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Frank Springer married Josephine M. Bishop in 1876, and their union produced four daughters and three sons. Three of the daughters, Laura, Helen, and Ada, pursued different courses of study in American colleges with several years of work in Europe. Daughter Eva Springer became an artist whose paintings were accepted at exhibitions of the Paris Salon, the London Academy, and the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, among others. Her collection of miniatures also comprised one of the attractions at the Museum of New Mexico for several years.

Two sons, Edward Springer and L. Wallace Springer, served in World War I. Later, Edward managed the family livestock business while L. Wallace Springer became manager of the Irrigation Enterprise which built the Eagles Nest Dam. Another son, Henry, became a well known livestock grower. He was prominent in the home activities related to the war and served as a valuable member on the Council of Defense.

Scope and Content

The majority of this collection is contained in a bound copy of "Notes and Memoranda Concerning the Legal, Literary, and Scientific Activities of Mr. Frank Springer as a Citizen of New Mexico," compiled from original sources by Ralph Emerson Twitchell, Sante Fe, New Mexico. Included in this edition is a selection of personal and business correspondence, articles related to the Bar and the Maxwell Land Grant case, various political and educational addresses, articles about and related to Frank Springer including his involvement with the Museum of New Mexico's art museum (Sante Fe) and the New Mexico Normal School, as well as scientific reviews, family information, and two black and white photographs of an older Frank Springer. In addition to the bound edition, are loose clippings, correspondence, and a bibliography of Frank Springer.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.

Preferred Citation

Frank Springer Papers (MSS 222 BC), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries.

Related Material

Maxwell Land Grant Company Records Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Access Terms

Bar associations -- New Mexico

Education -- Speeches, addresses, etc.

Land grants -- New Mexico -- History

Maxwell Land Grant (N.M. and Colo.)

Museum of New Mexico

New Mexico Normal School

Springer, Frank

Twitchell, Ralph Emerson, 1859-1925

Contents List