Name:
Oliver Springer 
Location served:
Chatham  
Years in Practice:
1861 to 1898
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Oliver Springer was born in Glanford Township (Wellington County), Ontario in 1837.  Dr. Springer was the 4th of 6 children born to Richard Springer and the former Catherine DePew.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; William who was born in 1830, Lucinda who was born in 1831, Sarah who was born in 1834, Miles who was born in 1842 and Mahlon who was born in 1847.

Dr. Springer graduated M.D. from the Western Homeopathic College in Columbus, Ohio in 1861.  He was licensed by the Homeopathic Medical Board in 1862.   According to the 1882 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Springer joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 5th of June, 1869.  In 1861 he was practicing medicine in Chatham, Ontario.

Dr. Springer was listed in the 1864-1865 County of Kent Gazetteer.  His office was located on Wellington Street and his residence was listed as the North American Hotel.  According to the 1874-1875 Kent County Business Directory and the 1877 Chatham Directory, Dr. Springer’s office was located on Centre Street in Chatham.

Dr. Springer married Henriette Allenor in Chatham on the 12th of January 1870. Mrs. Springer was born on in Ypsilanti, Michigan the 13th of November, 1842.  Mrs. Springer was the 4th of at least 6 children born to John Allenor and the former Mary Sussons.  Her parents were born and married in England and her older brother Henry was born in England.  John and Mary Allenor immigrated to the United States, when Henry was a small child.  Mrs. Springer’s sister’s Mary Ann and Ellen were born in the United States and after Henrietta was born, the Allenor family immigrated to Canada and settled in Chatham.  According to the 1851 census her father was a labourer and her siblings were; Henry Allenor, Mary Ann Allenor, Ellen Jane Allenor, John Allenor and Thomas Allenor (who died in Chatham on the 17th of October, 1873 at the age of 27).

Dr. and Mrs. Springer had 4 children, all born in Chatham. Clara Springer was born on the 2nd of November 1870, Richard “Oliver” Springer was born on the 23rd of November 1872, William Springer was born in 1878 and Louis Franklin Springer was born on the 5th of December, 1880.

At one time the home and office of Dr. Springer were located on Harvey Street, but eventually the office moved to 47 Wellington St. near St. Joseph’s Church.  Dr. Springer advertised his medical practice in a number of business directories.  According to the 1896 Chatham City Directory, Dr. Springer had re-located his medical office to 16 Wellington Street in Chatham.

Dr. Springer died in Chatham on the 6th of July, 1898.  Mrs. Springer died at her residence located at 104 Harvey Street in Chatham on the 6th of April, 1920.  Dr. and Mrs. Springer were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. Springer’s brother, Dr. William Springer practiced medicine in Ingersoll, Ontario.

**Below is the ad that appears in the 1864-65 County of Kent Gazetteer and General Business Directory.