Spring, Ephraim

EPHRAIM SPRING, merchant and Assistant Postmaster, Randolph, was born in Delaware County, N.Y., February 11, 1809; son of Ephraim and Mary (Sumner) Spring, former a native of Washington County. N.Y., latter of Connecticut. They were parents of nine children, of whom Ephraim is fifth. Our subject obtained the chief part of his education in the common schools of his native county; came to this township in 1823 and engaged in farming. In 1874 he opened a grocery store in Randolph, where he now resides. Mr. Spring was twice married, on first occasion to Mary Radle, who died in 1872. She bore him nine children, of whom only two survive, viz.: Adeline and Mary. On August 25, 1874, our subject married Mrs. Mary (Hall) Haight, widow of William Haight, by whom she had one child— Pemrose- night railroad agent at Leavittsburg, Ohio. Mrs. Spring was born in Randolph, April 21, 1831, and is a daughter of Leonard and Sally (Jones) Hall, former of whom was born in Vermont, May 4, 1795; came to Meadville, this county, in 1816, and to Randolph Township in 1826, at which time there was but one house between Randolph and Guy’s Mills. He made the trip from Meadville on an ox-sled. He died September 29, 1878. His wife was born. October 19, 1797; died September 10, 1868. They were the parents of ten children. Our subject was Captain of a militia company at Meadville fourteen years, and during the Rebellion he raised a company of sixty-five men, of which he was twice elected Captain, but his age prohibited him from going to the front. Thirty of his men volunteered with Capt. Ira Ayre. Mr. Spring was elected as Justice of the Peace in 1845 and filled that office thirty years; was Postmaster at Randolph nine years; politically he is a Republican.