Rice Sams died 18 Feb 1930, at his home in second ward of Jonesboro, and was buried in Jonesboro Cemetery. His funeral was at his residence. He was said to be the oldest man in the county and the oldest native-born citizen of Jonesboro. He spent his entire life in Jonesboro or on a nearby farm. He was born on a farm one and a half miles south of Jonesboro, the oldest son of Tolbert and Lurena (Hail) Sams, who came from Kentucky. His father died when he was 12, leaving him to support his mother, three sisters, and one brother. On the day of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Jonesboro on Sept. 15, 1858, his mother willed him to stay at home and plough, as it was nothing but a political meeting and of no consequence. He married on 22 Jan 1862, Elender Kimmel, fourth daughter of George K. and Elizabeth Kimmel. His wife died 26 Nov 1920. They had eight children, three of whom preceded him in death: Mary Sams died in infancy, Fountain F. Sams died in East St. Louis in August 1927, and Herman E. Sams died at Lansing, Wash., 5 Sep 1929. He left five children, George T. Sams (who was unable to attend the funeral because of a crippled foot) and Walter J. Sams of St. Louis, Mrs. Augusta Perrine of Anna, Mrs. Helen Gearhart of Grand Tower, and Thomas E. Sams, who has always lived at home. He also left eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Rice Sams died 18 Feb 1930, at his home in second ward of Jonesboro, and was buried in Jonesboro Cemetery. His funeral was at his residence. He was said to be the oldest man in the county and the oldest native-born citizen of Jonesboro. He spent his entire life in Jonesboro or on a nearby farm. He was born on a farm one and a half miles south of Jonesboro, the oldest son of Tolbert and Lurena (Hail) Sams, who came from Kentucky. His father died when he was 12, leaving him to support his mother, three sisters, and one brother. On the day of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Jonesboro on Sept. 15, 1858, his mother willed him to stay at home and plough, as it was nothing but a political meeting and of no consequence. He married on 22 Jan 1862, Elender Kimmel, fourth daughter of George K. and Elizabeth Kimmel. His wife died 26 Nov 1920. They had eight children, three of whom preceded him in death: Mary Sams died in infancy, Fountain F. Sams died in East St. Louis in August 1927, and Herman E. Sams died at Lansing, Wash., 5 Sep 1929. He left five children, George T. Sams (who was unable to attend the funeral because of a crippled foot) and Walter J. Sams of St. Louis, Mrs. Augusta Perrine of Anna, Mrs. Helen Gearhart of Grand Tower, and Thomas E. Sams, who has always lived at home. He also left eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
