L. N. SPRING. - Spring & Amerson Mercantile Company

Among the enterprising and energetic business men of Elk Rapids, few are as well known to the public as L. N. Spring, who, as a member and manager of the Spring & Amerson Mercantile Company, has done much to advance the material interests of the city and give it an honorable reputation among the important business centers of northern Michigan. The company with which Mr. Spring is now identified dates its history proper from October, 1902, previous to which time the business had been carried on under the name of the Elk Rapids Iron Company, the present firm being the successor of that establishment. As originally conducted, the iron company carried a full line of general merchandise and did a thriving business of about one hundred thousand dollars per year, but under the present management attention has been confined principally to dry goods, clothing, etc., which lines are full and complete, the stock representing every article demanded by the trade, while from the time Messrs. Spring and Amerson took charge the patronage has grown in magnitude and influence until, as already stated, the establishment is at the time not only the largest and most important of the kind in Elk Rapids, but ranks with the leading business houses in the more pretentious metropolitan cities of the state. In the management of the large concern of which he is the executive head Mr. Spring displays ability of a high order and few men of his age and experience have so impressed their individuality upon the public with which they deal or exercised such a potential influence in a business way. He came to his present position well fortified for its responsible and exacting duties, having received his early training in the mercantile business and by years of patient toil and close application become familiar with every detail of the trade. He was born in Kent County, Michigan, and there spent his early life, entering at the age of fourteen the business house of Spring & Company at Grand Rapids, where he remained a period of twenty-one years, during which time he became skilled as a salesman, efficient as a buyer and thoroughly acquainted with the underlying principles of commercial law and the ethics of business life. Severing his connection with the establishment in the above city, Mr. Spring in 1897 came to Elk Rapids and accepted a clerical position in the mercantile department of the Elk Rapids Iron Company, taking charge of the same lines of goods to which his firm has devoted especial attention since succeeding to the business in 1902. Mr. Spring's experience with the above concern covered a period of five years, at the expiration of which time he effected a co-partnership with H. S. Amerson for the purpose of purchasing the company's stock, which being accomplished, the new firm began operations under exceedingly favorable auspices, its career since then being characterized by a series of continued successes such as few houses of the kind achieve. Mr. Spring's relations with the public have been mutually pleasant and agreeable and his uniform courtesy and kindness and his desire to please have not been among the least of the influences in winning him the large and constantly increasing patronage which his firm now commands. By fair and honorable dealing and by according to his numerous customers the same rights which he claims for himself, he has met with success in his financial affairs and today not only occupies a commanding position in the business world, but enjoys to a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens in every walk of life.

Mr. Spring is a married man and the father of two children, his wife having formerly been Miss Emilie Schneider, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Hugo Schneider, who for a number of years was a prominent wholesale tobacconist of that city. Their nuptials were celebrated at the home of the bride on the 21st of October, 1889, since which time their home has been brightened by the arrival of a son by the name of Harold, an intelligent and manly lad of twelve, and a daughter, Mildred, his junior by five years. While manifesting a commendable zeal in all that concerns the welfare of the city of his residence, and keeping himself well informed on the leading questions and political issues of the day, Mr. Spring has never sought nor desired the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests and to be simply known as a citizen. He and his wife are well known in the social circles of Elk Rapids and have many personal and warm friends whom they take pleasure in entertaining at their beautiful home which is one of the favorite resorts for the best people of the city.