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PHIL M. SPRINGER was born in Springfield, Illinois, July 15, 1840. Owing to ill health, after twelve years old he was unable to attend school. His education was therefore gathered from his father's library at home, during the eight years following. A good portion of this time was devoted to the study of natural history and the making of collections, chiefly in entomology and conchology. Pencil drawings and water-color paintings were also favorite pastimes with him in those days. After he was twenty years of age, improved health enabled him to engage in the active pursuits of life, and his education was continued in the school of practical business experience.

In 1864 he rendered some assistance with his pencil in illustrating the first two volumes of the Illinois Geological Survey. The next year he was engaged at the Chicago Academy of Science, in similar work. Indoor confinement and lake breezes proving injurious to his health, he returned to Springfield, in the summer of 1865. In November of that year he and his younger Frank began the improvement of a tract of land on the North Fork of the Sangamon, eight miles east of Springfield. This land had been entered by their father, many years before. They commenced by erecting a small frame house in the midst of what was then a wild forest. With a pair of yearling mules, a light wagon, a cow, and a few pigs and chickens, and the hope usual to beginners, of speedily acquiring wealth, they were as happy here and worked with as hearty a good-will as ever two young men did anywhere. Thus originated the well known firm of Springer Brothers, and the place since known among breeders and stockmen as "Haw Hill". The breeding of Berkshire pigs, Cotswold sheep and Light Brahma fowls has engaged the attention of the firm ever since. The circuit of their shipments has extended from Massachusetts to Colorado, and from Minnesota to Louisiana and Texas.

"Phil" as he is usually called by all who know him, resided on the farm until the fall of 1875, when his business relations with the American Berkshire Association required his return to Springfield, thus leaving the farm to the immediate care of his brother; it being still conducted however, by Springer Brothers, as formerly. Since February, 1875, he has served as Treasurer or Secretary of the American Berkshire Association - part of the time in both capacities. He is now Secretary of the Association, and editor of the Record, four volumes of which have been issued under his care. From 1875 to 1881, he served continuously as Assistant Secretary of the Sangamon County Agricultural Board. In 1881 he was elected Secretary, by the Board. He has been for many years, and is still Secretary of the Sangamon County Bible Society.