The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-15
DEATH OF ANDREW SPRING.

A large majority of the readers of the PRESS
will be surprised and deeply panied to learn
that ANDREW SPRING, ESQ.,, died suddenly at
his residence on Danforth street at about 45
last evening. Mr.. Spring has been out of
health for about two years and has not actively
participated in the business of the well known
firm of A. & s. e. Spring for more than
year. He has been unable to use his feet a
large part of the time, the trouble being paral-
ysis of the nerves. Since the opening of the
spring, however, his general health has been
better than for months previous, and within
the past few weeks he has himself remarked
that he was feeling much better. Yesterday
he rode down to the Office and sitting in his
carriage conversed on business matters and ap-
peared unusually we'll and in excellent spirits
At six o'clock he dined wi tn the family and sat
at the table conversing nearly an hour. He
then went to his room, in which were several
members of his family, with whom he talked
until nearly half-past eight, when he was seized
with the most violent pains in his body. Mr..
S. E. Spring was called and physicians sum-
moned. After about fifteen minutes the in.
tense agony gradually subsidized, but with it his
life passed away. DR.. Hersom was the first
physician to arrive, but Mr.. Spring was already
dead. DR.. Dana, the family physician, had not
arrived at half-past ten but others expressed
the opinion that the paralysis which had af-
fected his legs extended to the body and caused
his death.
Andrew Spring was born in Brownfield, Ok
ford county, May "a, 1919, and consequ entity
was 81 years l month and IA days of age at the
time of his decease. His early years were spent
on the farm where he was born. At the age of
10 years he went to South America with Hon.
Samuel Tyler of the same town, and with no
other resource than his hands, his industry and
perseverance, engaged in the general business
for which the firm to which he belonged be-
came known in Earope as well as in the princi-
pal commercial cities of the North. In 1871 he
became member of the firm which was the
pioneer in the South American business, S. B.
Hale 81 Co, and at the present time continues
to be the most generally and favorably known
American house south of the equator. About
the same time Hon. S. E. Spring, who went to
South America few years later, also became
a member of the firm. They continued in this
firm until 1854, when they returned to the Uui-
ted States and made Portland their residence.
ho ciiio oihlO JUG LII LII VI II. SS ~ OpEluS WAS
formed, and under that name they, with others,
have continued in the general South American
business.
When Mr.. Spring became citizen Of Port
land he became an active promoter of nearly
every prominent business enterprise. He was
among the founders Of the Rolling Mill Com
pany, the Portland Company, one of the sugar
refining concerns and others of those great in
dustries which have done SO much for the
growth and prosperity of Portland. He was
one of the first Presidents of the Rolling Mills
Co. and has at times actively participated in
the management of the above named compa-
MES and the Westbrook Manufacturing Com
pany. AT the time of his death he was a direc-
tor of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad
and trustee and director of the Portland Say
ings Bank.
All the while he devoted his main energies to
the direction of the business In which he has
been SO successful, He has been to South
America severa! times and to Europe twice in
connection with his business. He returned
from South America about two years ago.
Mr.. Springs life has not only been an emil
nently busy and successful but useful one.
The extent of his charities will never be known.
1t is true of him that his right hand knew not
what his left hand did. He may be styled one
Of the founders of the Maine General Hospital.
He was among the first subscribers to that no.
bic charity, almost heading the list With sub
scription of $4,000. During the war he was an
earnest supporter of the Union cause and his
name stands high in the noble list of patriotic
men who aided the national cause by large and
constant contributions of money.
Public life which has SO great attractions for
most Americans had none for Mr.. Spring. He
would never consent to be candidate for any
position. AS matter of convenience to bust
ness men at this port he held the position of
Consul for the Argentine Republic several
years and held it at the time of his death.
Mr. Spring leaves widow and eight chill
dren, three sons and five daughters. Within
week one of his daughters, Mrs Runciman,
and her husband arrived from South America.
Last Sunday he was surrounded by all of his
children except one son, who is at Buenos
Ayres.
Few men in this city are more widely known
and generally respected in business circles than
is Mr.. Andrew Spring. To-day as business
men meet in counting rooms and banks and
speak of him, they will speak of his spotless
integrity, of his high character as business
man, of his rare sagacity and sound Judgment.
Those who knew him as man of public spirit
will deplore his death. Those who will pay the
highest tribute to the man are the hundreds of
men whom he has counseled, befriended and
aided when they started in life or in the hour
of diversity. But the scores of poor people
whom he has aided in times of distress will
to-day offer the man the tribute most to be
priced at the end of life when they say, as
they will. "Mr. Spring was kind, noble
hearted man." The deserving poor never went
away from him empty handed.
His father, Mr.. Isaac Spring, and his mother
live in Brownfeld-the former is 81 years of
age and the latter about so.
The funeral services will probably be held