In commemoration of those early events in the transposition stages of Sangamon County, no matter whether of a public, political or commercial phase, it would be entirely outside the scope of expediency and right were we to leave unemphasized the life and doings of that wholesome and manly personage, the late Judge William McKendree Springer. The accompanying steel engraving indicates even to the casual observer who did not know him in everyday life, that the features are those of a man in all that the word implies. A little less than a third of a century ago he entered upon that marvelous career of twenty years a representative in the congress of the United States, taking part in some of the greatest and most difficult national legislation, ever bearing himself fearlessly, honorably and well. In private life he was a true and loving husband and father. He was a friend who knew no evil of his associates. In the halls of the national congress he was the champion of rights and his eloquent appeals have many a time turned the scales. He was honored of all men and his memory is an inspiration to the highest ideals of citizenship.

Judge William M. Springer, deceased, was born in New Lebanon, Sullivan County, Indiana, May 30, 1836. There he resided until the removal of his parents in 1848 to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he renewed his studies and was prepared for college by Dr. Newton Bateman, who later became one of the most noted educators of the west. He entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, but shortly afterward left that institution and went to the State University of Indiana, where he remained two years. In 1858 he returned to Illinois and studied law in Lincoln, Logan County, until his admission to the bar in 1860. The same year he was a candidate for representative on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by Colonel Robert B. Latham. In 1861 he settled in Springfield, where he shortly formed a partnership with Hon. Norman M. Broadwell and General John A. McClernand. The latter retiring in a few years, the firm continued as Broadwell & Springer. Upon his return home in 1870 from a two years' tour in Europe for the benefit of his wife's health, he was elected to represent Sangamon County in the legislature, that being the first after the foundation of a new constitution. Several sessions were held during 1870-71 and 1871-72, and a complete revision of the statutes of Illinois was made while he served in that body.

In 1874, Mr. Springer was elected to congress from the twelfth district, composed of Cass, Christian, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott counties, and was subsequently re-elected in 1876-78-80-82-84-86-88-90-92-94, being nominated the first time on the first ballot and each subsequent time by acclamation, the delegates from each county being instructed to support him, which fact attested his worth and personal popularity. In the forty-fourth congress Mr. Springer offered an amendment to the bill granting one and a half million dollars to the Centennial Exposition, providing that upon the close of the exposition and the sale of the property the government should be reimbursed by that amount from the proceeds before any dividend could be made the stockholders. The bill became a law as amended. The Centennial Board attempted to evade the payment of the money into the United States Treasury, through a supposed defect in the Springer amendment clause, but he being selected by the attorney general to prosecute the case, fought it through the United States supreme court and obtained a verdict sustaining the act and recovering to the government fifteen hundred thousand dollars, for which Judge Springer never received anything for all this most successful and personal effort. In the forty-fifth congress he served on several prominent committees, among them the Potter election committee and the committee to investigate Mr. Seward's official records while minister in China, which reported twelve articles of impeachment against him.

In the same congress Mr. Springer bolted the caucus nomination of his party and supported General Shields against Mr. Field, the party nominee. He was the only Democratic member from the northwest who voted against Burchard and Hardridge resolutions, declaring that neither the courts nor congress possessed the power to disturb Mr. Hayes' presidential title. This action created great excitement at that time. Mr. Springer believed that a wrong had been done in giving Mr. Hayes the presidency, while he opposed all resolutions. Measures through the government had had the power to right that wrong. Mr. Springer was the chairman of the committee on elections in the forty-sixth congress, and opposed the majority of his party in their effort to unseat Representative W.D. Washburn, of Minnesota, and substitute Ignatius Donnelly in his stead. He thought the claim of Mr. Donnelly unjust and the proceeding dishonest, and after great pressure was brought to bear through threats and slanderous charges, from which he was triumphantly vindicated, to coerce him to support the measure, he persistently opposed it and was conspicuous in its defeat. The object of the movement was to secure a Democratic majority in the house, that the party could elect the president in 1880 in case it should be thrown into the house of representatives. At the end of his congressional career he served for five years as a judge in a responsible position, acquitting himself with credit and rendering a valuable public service, one of a kind never to be forgotten. He was an authority upon almost all questions that pertained to the political history of our country, a genial, delightful companion, a gentleman always and under all circumstances. Few men have so absolutely won the confidence and love of those with whom they were associated, as did Judge Springer. He was at all times the discreet counselor, the safe friend, and in all transactions he was the soul of honor. Sincerity was ingrained into his very being. He was a sure depository of interests the most sacred. [Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]

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L.W. Fulton, M.D.

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Since 1867 Dr. L.W. Fulton has engaged in the practice of medicine at New Berlin. The old axiom, “Time tests the merit of all things,” has been proven in the case of Dr. Fulton, whose skill and ability have been tried for long years. The favorable opinion passed upon him at the outset of his career has in no degree been set aside or modified, but, on the other hand, has been strengthened as time has passed by. He has always kept abreast with the progress that is constantly being made by the medical fraternity, and well merits the liberal patronage which is accorded him.

Dr. Fulton is a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, born March 6, 1837. His father, William Fulton, was born in the same county, as was the grandfather of the Doctor. The family is of English lineage and was established in Virginia at an early epoch in the colonial history of America. William Fulton was married in Loudoun county to Miss Mary Elgin, who was also born in that locality. They became the parents of two children: L.W. of this review, and Mary E., who grew to mature years, was married and died in Virginia in 1879. The mother of these children passed away and Mr. Fulton was again married and had three children by the second union, namely: William, Robert, and Arthur. Mr. Fulton spent his entire life in this native county and became a representative and influential farmer of that portion of his native state.

The Doctor remained a resident of his native county until seventeen years of age and acquired his preliminary education there. In 1854, he came west to Illinois, locating at Paris, and there he formed the acquaintance of Dr. Shubal York, under whose direction he took up the study of medicine, reading with him for about two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Kentucky and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in New Haven, Nelson County. During the winter of 1863-64 he was a student in the Ohio Medical College, after which he returned to New Haven and entered into partnership with Dr. John W. Gore, a relation that was maintained until 1867. Dr. Fulton then came to Illinois, locating in New Berlin, where he resumed the practice of medicine, and soon his patronage covered a wide area. Demands for his professional services came from miles around, and throughout the intervening years, from 1867 to the present time, he has been an active practitioner and one whose skill and ability have been demonstrated in the excellent results that have followed his labors. In 1869 he went to Rush Medical College, where he pursued a course of study and was graduated, and in 1878 he returned to that institution for post-graduate work. Reading and investigation have continually broadened his knowledge and he is today familiar with the most advanced and desirable methods of practice, using his knowledge with good effect for the alleviation of human suffering. In 1869 Dr. Fulton engaged in the drug business in connection with Dr. Price, and following the dissolution of the partnership in 1871, he carried on the business in connection with his practice for ten years.

Dr. Fulton was married in Sangamon County in April of 1869, to Anna E. King, a native of this county and a daughter of David King, one of the early settlers, who came to Illinois from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Fulton was educated in Jacksonville, Illinois, and died on the 5th of March 1900, her remains being interred in the Jacksonville cemetery. The children born of this marriage are: Anna, the wife of Mason Kinsman, of Chicago, by whom she has a son, Mason Jr.; Charles, who is married and resides in Grayson County, Texas; Percy K., who is connected with journalistic interests in Houston, Texas, and is married and has one child; Lee, who is a student in the Marion Sims Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri; and Archie, who holds a position in a drug store in New Berlin.

Politically, Dr. Fulton is a stanch Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him, as he has preferred to devote his time to his professional labors. He, however, served on the village board of New Berlin and was its chairman for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church and the children are identified with the same religious organization. Dr. Fulton has lived a life of great usefulness and has ever kept a high place in the regard of his fellow practitioners as well as to the public, because of his unfaltering fidelity to the ethics of the profession. Everything that tends to bring a man they key to that complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him, and with ready adaptability he has used his knowledge for the benefit of his patients, so that his efforts have been of marked benefit. He social qualities, too, have made him many friends and he is one of the respected and esteemed residents of his adopted county. [Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]

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John C. Lamb

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Nature certainly intended when man reaches advanced years he should rest from his labors. In youth one is full of vigor and enthusiasm, which in mature years is guided by sound judgment, so that the individual is able to use his energies and efforts to the best advantage. If he makes the most of his opportunities his labors will be followed by success, and then, when advanced years come on, he will be possessed of a competence that will enable him to rest from further toil and enjoy the fruits of his former activity. Such has been the career of John C. Lamb, and his straightforward dealing in all business transactions has made his name an honored one wherever known.

Mr. Lamb was born January 16, 1825, in the town of Kaskaskia, Illinois, which was once the capital of the state, but has in the course of time been entirely swept out of existence. His parents were James L. and Susan [Cranmer] Lamb, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born November 7, 1800, while the latter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1802 and was there reared to womanhood. On the 13th of January, 1824, she gave her hand in marriage to James L. Lamb, and the same year they removed to Kaskaskia, where they were living at the time of the birth of our subject. During his infancy he was carried to a reception given in honor of General LaFayette at that place and was taken in the arms of the general. Subsequently his parents took up their abode upon a farm near Chester Park, not far from Kaskaskia, and in 1832 they came to Springfield, Illinois, where Mr. Lamb established a general mercantile store. Soon afterward he extended the scope of his labors by becoming a pork packer, and he built up a large and profitable business in both lines. Subsequently he established a foundry, which he operated in connection with his other business affairs, and for two years was associated in this enterprise with H.E. Bridges, who afterward removed to St. Louis and became prominent in the stove foundry business, but at the end of that time he disposed of his foundry interests. He continued in the pork packing business until within a short time prior to his death, and he was a stockholder and director in the Springfield Marine Bank, of which he was the founder. In his political views Mr. Lamb was originally a Whig and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party of which he remained a stanch advocate until his demise. A man of excellent business ability, keen discernment and sound judgment, he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his business reputation was unassailable. In all his career he never took advantage of the necessities of his fellow men, but engaged in trade along legitimate lines and thereby won a comfortable competence. Long a member of the First Presbyterian church, he served for a time as one of hits deacons, and to its support he contributed most liberally. He passed away December 3, 1873, honored by all who knew him because of his life of uprightness and integrity. His wife, surviving him for about ten years, passed away at the Leland hotel, January 12,1889. In their family were five children: John C., Susan L., the wife of General Cook; Caroline L., the widow of W.J. Black and a resident of Springfield; Hannah, the widow of General John M. Palmer and a resident of Springfield, and Elizabeth T., who is the widow of Gideon R. Brainard and lives at the Leland Hotel in this city.

John C. Lamb was about seven years of age when his parent became residents of Springfield, and in the public schools of this city he pursued his early education, while later he spent eighteen months as a student in a select school in Waverly, Illinois, and then attended Shurtleff College at Alton, Illinois. On putting aside his textbooks he entered his father's store in the capacity of clerk, and later he became a partner in the enterprise. In 1848 he formed a partnership with George W. Lowery under the firm name of Lowery, Lamb & Co., proprietors of the Aetna foundry, and in the control of this business they met with very desirable success until during the '50's, when Mr. Lowery sold his interest in the business. Mr. Lamb continued the business until 1891, manufacturing various kinds of wheels, mining machinery, light and heavy castings, and his trade covered the greater portion of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the year mentioned Mr. Lamb sold out to the Aetna Foundry & Machine Company and retired from business. Since then he has lived in honorable retirement from labor, enjoying a richly merited rest. The Illinois State Arsenal is now located on the ground upon which Mr. Lamb built his foundry in 1848.

On the 3rd of December, 1868, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage to Miss Anna Pougher, of Springfield, who was born in Beverly, Yorkshire, England, and came to America in early girlhood. Although many years her husband's junior, she has proven a most excellent helpmate and companion to him on life's journey, and is a devoted number of the First Presbyterian church. They have a very pleasant home at No. 533 South Douglas Avenue, over which Mrs. Lamb presides with gracious hospitality. She is a lady of culture and refinement and has won many warm friends during her residence in Springfield. From an early period in the development of this city Mr. Lamb has resided within its borders and has been an interested witness of its progress and upbuilding. Public-spirited and progressive, he has withheld his support from no movement or measure which he believed would contribute to the general good. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged, and he well deserves mention among the representative men of Sangamon County. [Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]