144 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
PERSONAL RECORD ^ 
FRANK SPRINGER 
Las Vegas, New Mexico 
SKETCH 2 
Frank Springer, son of Francis and Nancy R. Springer, was born at Wapello, Iowa, 
June 17, 1848. He received his education in the public schools and at the State University of 
Iowa. He was admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1869, and came to New Mexico in 1873, settling 
at Cimarron, where on October 10, 1876, he was married to Josephine M. Bishop. He imme- 
diately took foremost rank in his thosen profession, and has since been recognized as one 
of the leaders of the New Mexico bar. In 1890 he was elected president of the New Mexico 
Bar Association, in which capacity he delivered an address dealing entirely with the urgent 
necessity for the immediate settlement by the Congress of the United States, through a proper 
tribunal, of titles under Spanish and Mexican land grants. The bill, which finally became a 
law, was drafted principally by him. The bar association attached so much importance to this 
address that it was printed in full, and distributed among members of Congress, and filed 
with the Land Department at Washington. The subject matter of the address produced a 
profound impression at Washington with the President of the United States and members 
of Congress alike. A direct result was the passage of the act establishing the court of private 
land claims. As attorney for the Maxwell Land Grant Company, Mr. Springer achieved his 
greatest professional success. In the trial of many causes in the courts of New Mexico in 
which that company was a party, and in the final determination of the title of the company 
to the lands embraced witbin the limits of the grant, as confirmed by Congress, decided in 
favor of the company in United States vs. The Maxwell Land Grant Company, his prepara- 
tion, argument, and management were masterly, eliciting commendation from members of 
the Supreme Court of the United States. He is the president of the board of trustees of the 
Maxwell Land Grant Company, whose business affairs under his management and direction 
have been phenomenally successful. He retired from the active practice of his profession in 
1906, since which time he has given much attention to scientific study and research. He was 
twice a member of the legislative council of New Mexico, in which position he rendered the 
territory great service. As a paleontologist he takes first rank among scientists in America. 
He is a member of the Archaeological Institute of America, and a patron of the School of 
American Archaeology at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through the generosity of Mr. Springer 
the restorations, in part, and many of the mural decorations in the Old Palace, have been 
accomplished under the direction of Dr. Edgar L. Hewett, director of the school. 
{Further note by R. E. T.) : 
To the union of Frank and Josephine M. Springer seven children were born, four 
daughters and three sons, viz. ; 
Laura, wife of Mr. John J. K. Caskie, General Attorney of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit 
Company, residing in Philadelphia. 
Helen, wife of Dr. John F. Fairbairn, of Buffalo, New York. 
Ada, wife of Dr. Warren B. Davis, of Philadelphia. 
1 From Tmitchell’s Leading Facts of New Mexican History, Vol. II, p. 453- 
2 [Editor’s Note. — The biographical material given on pages 144-5 and 153 to 166 is taken from a 
memorial volume compiled by Ralph Emerson Twitchell, life long friend ,of Mr. Springer; it is here 
included at the express wish of Mr. Springer who feels that the present paper perhaps may be his last 
personal contribution to science, and desires to present the background for his scientific activities in its 
relation to affairs in his state.] 
