Manuel R. Springer Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Manuel R. Springer, merchant and county commissioner at Old Albuquerque, was born here November 29, 1871. He is a son of Henry Springer, now deceased, who was born in Würtemberg, Germany, and with his brother, Levi, was brought to the United States by their parents in their childhood days. Their parents died in Lexington, Missouri, in the '50s. Henry Springer came to New Mexico in 1861, making his way to Santa Fe, where he conducted a hotel for a year or two. Later he removed to Albuquerque and opened a store about 1863 or J 864. He spent his remaining days here, being closely identified with its business and public interests, and through the careful manipulation of his commercial affairs he became quite wealthy. He also had a store in Springfield, Arizona, but made his home in Albuquerque. At one time he owned the Springer addition to New Albuquerque, which he laid out into seventy-four town lots. He had an extensive store, which he conducted successfully for years, but he lost about thirty thousand dollars in 1875 or 1876 on a government contract for barley. Subsequently, however, he largely recuperated his losses. He married Placida Saabedra, and his death occurred in 1882, while his wife passed away in 1879. She was a granddaughter of Jose Antonio Garcia, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years, and up to the time of his death worked in his garden. He was a member of the first legislature after the Mexican war. He had twenty-five children and three hundred grandchildren. The father of Mrs. Springer was Francisco Saabedra.

Manual R. Springer started out in business life for himself when about fifteen years of age, and for four and a half years was in the new town of Albuquerque. He was married on the 16th of May. 1892, to Miss Carlotta Garcia, a daughter of Manuel Garcia, once sheriff of Bernalillo County. They have the following children: Climaco, Flora, Mary, Henry and Alfred.

In 1895 Mr. Springer established a mercantile business in the old town and has since conducted his store, which is well equipped with a large line of goods. He receives a generous patronage and is prospering in his undertakings. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and in November, 1904, was appointed county commissioner to succeed Thomas C. Gutierrez. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.